Calls are growing for the Victorian state government to reinstate funds cut from Melbourne Youth Orchestras, an organisation that has, since 1967, worked to increase access and opportunity for young musicians, particularly those without easy access to well-funded school music programs.

Melbourne Youth Orchestras. Photo supplied

Every Saturday during school terms, MYO brings together over 600 young musicians aged eight and up to rehearse and explore music in orchestral, string quartet and wind band ensembles. Among MYO’s large cohort of alumni are MSO Associate Conductor Benjamin Northey, QSO Principal Double Bass Phoebe Russell, and composer-arranger Nicholas Buc.

Melbourne Youth Orchestras was alerted to the prospect of cuts to its funding in September 2023. Confirmation of the reduction in funding came in December. Although government funding represents less than 10 percent of MYO’s total funding – the majority of which is philanthropic – it is nevertheless a significant blow to the organisation at a time when the funding for music education in public schools is also under pressure.

In a recently released joint statement, the Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance and SOMA (Symphony Orchestra Musicians’ Association) called on the Victorian government...