2019 Annual Report
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
2019 annual report Sydney Youth Orchestras is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW Who we are 7 Educational Leadership 34 Artistic Excellence 22 Community Engagement 40 Stakeholder Connection 44 Stability 50 Financial Report 53 Connect with us 88 2 Annual Report 2019 3 Values Collaborate We are not soloists Celebrate We recognise and reward all contributions SYO is the pathway for young musicians to Excellence Is our attitude, not only champion orchestral an outcome music Invest We believe young people are the key to a progressive creative future Challenge We drive innovation and embrace the new Annual Report 2019 5 Who we are We are the only music education program that caters for all young musicians regardless of education system. We are the only Being around for 50 music education years does not make provider who offers a us excellent, it’s the complete PATHWAY impact of our alumni from 6 to 25, from on the music industry beginner to and the community pre-professional. that does. We understand the important role SYO plays in sector sustainability and We celebrate all we support feeder contributions to SYO. programs and instrumental teachers to engage more young musicians. 6 Chair’s Message Farewell Jan Bowen from August 2019 I am delighted to One of the legacies left by Jan Bowen was After almost 14 years as Chair “I fully intend to continue with my travels present the Sydney the skilful Board of the SYO. Any organisation internationally and within Australia to seek Youth Orchestras’ would be delighted to have directors with such of the Sydney Youth Orchestras, out magical, musical moments, and also to Annual Report a range of skills and generosity of spirit. Their Jan Bowen AM is stepping down. continue with my professional activities,” states for 2019. That business experience, their care and stewardship, Ms Bowen. From her first day of stepping into the Chair, said, it is strange to and their preparedness to use their networks to Jan has worked tirelessly to ensure that SYO is “I’m not retiring from life. And I will continue to write a Chair’s message raise money for the organisation and promote an integral part of the cultural fabric of Sydney support musicians – young and old - through that relates to the period up to December 2019 its aims, is exemplary. Again, on behalf of the and Australia. “Without a youth orchestra, you my patronage of concerts and personal when we all have lived through the months musicians who benefit so greatly from their don’t have professional orchestras and chamber connections. But it’s time for me to step aside that followed; months that made obsolete any commitment, I thank them. music groups.” SYO has trained thousands of from the SYO Board of Directors, and I’m predictions and expectations that might have I would like to congratulate our CEO, Mia talented, young musicians to take their place confident of its continued growth under my been held at the dawn of New Year. Patoulios, on the financial result of 2019, a great in professional music organisations in Australia successor Shane Simpson AM. With Shane’s In 2019, as Chief Conductor, Alexander Briger AO result which reflects both the growth in activity and the world. extensive experience, SYO’s future is in excellent continued to drive the creative direction of the and excellent budget control during the period. I hands.” Reflecting at the end of her tenure, Jan is proud SYO for the first six months. However, as Alex is would also like to thank our supporters, donors, of what has been achieved. The impact of her The Board, staff and young musicians of now permanently based in Paris, it was inevitable corporate partners and friends in contributing leadership is demonstrated by the illustrious list SYO – past and present - fondly thank Jan that distance would win out. We are very grateful to this achievement. We are grateful to have so of alumni, glowing press reviews and stunning for her dedication and years of service to our for the brilliant commitment and creative many supporters who share our aims and values. high calibre events attended by Sydney’s arts organisation and wish her well for the future. stewardship that Alex gave our musicians and SYO helps shape our musical ecology by training elite. Today, SYO is standing proud amongst its Jan’s legacy will always be felt within our I’m pleased that he will continue to conduct tomorrow’s professional musicians, and the fellow Sydney arts organisation cohorts. concert halls, where she will always be forever the flagship orchestra from time to time, as his audiences and philanthropists that support present. international commitments permit. However, it is not her style to sit back at home them. Our alumni take their place as professional with the knitting, From August, Christopher Lawrence moved from artists in orchestras and ensembles throughout his role as Chief Artistic Advisor to that of Artistic Australia and, indeed, the world. What they Director. This may seem a minor semantic achieve beyond the practice room, is an distinction, but it is not. Christopher has taken important way we measure our success. on responsibility for not just the programming SHANE SIMPSON AM but the creative direction and leadership of the Chair company: a new aesthetic and new pathway to performance excellence and enjoyment. At that same time, Jan Bowen retired as Chair of the SYO. In her 14 years of leadership, Jan took a small, struggling organisation and sculpted it into the foremost youth orchestra company in Australia. On behalf of the thousands of young musicians that have benefited from your dedication and vision, thank you, Jan. 8 Annual Report 2019 9 CEO’s Message Governance and Leadership SYO has achieved not only giving our young people the tools they Sydney Youth Orchestras Inc. is an Fundraising Focuses significant growth require to be engaged community contributors, incorporated association, registered in NSW and Opportunity in both turnover but to drive an agenda of access, inclusivity and a not-for-profit registered with the Australian Supporting financial and geographical needs and participation diversity from the front. Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. based scholarships, regional outreach and in the last year. We These ideals are imbedded in our new strategic View Annual Reports on our website. touring have implemented pillars, Educational Leadership, Artistic a rigorous Child Safety SYO maintains annually Excellence Excellence, Community Outreach, Stakeholder approach, connected with orchestras and Supporting masterclasses, international touring, Connection and Financial Stability. By creating musicians in the UK on our International Tour, A Constitution sectionals and tutorials with professional artists a clear strategic structure, SYO is well placed expanded our regional offering to three regional to move confidently into the future with the A Risk Register hubs, created greater community connection Enterprise support of our outstanding Board of Directors with the return of The Big Busk and embraced Staff Handbook Supporting the purchase of musical scores, led by our new Chair, Shane Simpson. The commercial opportunities with performances instruments, insurance, and business contribution of this group of Directors to the at events such as the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Student Handbook infrastructure organisation cannot be underestimated, and Sydney. I would like to particularly acknowledge the Child Safe Framework Importantly, SYO has “grown up” and we have tireless work of our outgoing Chair Jan Bowen. spent time reflecting and asking the hard The numbers in this report speak for themselves. questions of an organisation that has survived This small and dedicated team of administrators for almost 50 years. We fully acknowledge and conductors are delivering exciting and our broader role as not just an elite orchestral challenging programs for not only young training program for the most talented musicians across Sydney, but now our entire young musicians, but as a key driver in the state. The group of exceptional individuals SYO Board of development of the artform we all love. The SYO regularly go above and beyond their position musicians of today are the leaders of the sector Directors descriptions, and the individual care for our tomorrow. musicians I witness regularly is overwhelming. SYO is not a destination but a pathway. Many Our capacity to provide these opportunities of our musicians will not go on to become is only though the support of a community of professional musicians, but will become the parents, donors and friends. Their collective passionate music teachers, the engaged Sub Committees belief in our vison and their unwavering support concert goers, the dedicated donors, and the has underpinned our growth. On behalf of supportive parents. I know this because so many all SYO staff and the hundreds of musicians of our alumni from the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and 00’s impacted by this support, I thank you. support SYO in this way today. Mia Patoulios Some of my proudest moments at SYO have Chief Executive Officer Risk and HR and been watching our young musicians share the Fundraising Premises opportunities they have been given with others. Audit Operations As outlined in our Community Engagement Framework, SYO has a far broader role to play in 10 Annual Report 2019 11 Our People Board of Directors Artistic Planning & Conductors Chair (until August) Artistic Director Jan Bowen AM Christopher Lawrence Chief Conductor, the Sydney Youth Orchestra Chair