Conductor Chloé van Soeterstède. Photo courtesy of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

“Hear Us” – so says the Australian Youth Orchestra on its 2025 brochure. While this season roundup covers professional orchestras – the full-time state symphony orchestras, together with a number of chamber, specialist and contract orchestras – it seems right to begin with the organisation that’s given many Australian orchestral musicians their earliest experiences. And in 2025, AYO reminds us that it’s not just the music camp organisation of its origins, but a performing organisation that’s once again taking on the world stage after a six-year touring hiatus.

At the other end of the spectrum is the Australian World Orchestra, our youth orchestra for grown-ups. Drawing Australian musicians from around the world, it fosters a festival-like energy. In 2025, that takes the form...