For Schools 2026
MSO Schools is supported by
Schools’ Concerts
Bookings now open!
Get ready for an unforgettable musical journey in 2026! The MSO has put together an exciting season just for schools — featuring world-class artists, inspiring conductors, and our incredible Orchestra performing music that will leave students buzzing with energy.
MSO for Schools is all about lighting that creative spark. We’ve got concerts for students of all ages and abilities, ready-touse classroom resources, and opportunities for schools connecting with us for the first time. Whether you’re a seasoned music teacher or a classroom all-rounder, we’ve got you covered!
Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous supporter, tickets for all Schools’ concerts remain at the amazing price of $9 continuing to make MSO For Schools accessible for all.
Check out our complimentary Teachers’ Lounge membership — we think music educators deserve a treat!
We look forward to connecting with you!
MSOschools.com.au
P.S. Our Jams in Schools workshops for Prep – Year 6 students from disadvantaged or low SES backgrounds will continue in 2026. Please see our website for more information.
Years Prep to 6
All tickets $9
Beethoven’s Gaming Quest
Friday 8 May 2026 / 10.30am & 12.30pm
Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall
Koji Kondo Theme from The Legend of Zelda
Beethoven Symphony No.7 (selections)
Beethoven Coriolan Overture
Beethoven Symphony No.5 (selections)
What if Beethoven was a video game composer? Dr Richard Vaudrey explores the power and emotion of some of Beethoven’s iconic orchestral music to find the perfect musical elements to create the next spectacular gaming score.
Performed by
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Sara Duhig conductor
Dr Richard Vaudrey presenter
Carnival of the Animals
Friday 28 August 2026 / 10.30am & 12.30pm
Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall
Andrew Aronowicz^ New work*
Saint-Saëns Carnival of the Animals
Get ready to stomp, swoop, and swim through a wild musical adventure with Carnival of the Animals by Camille SaintSaëns! This concert features a parade of musical creatures, including some new animal-inspired pieces — from tiptoeing tortoises to a roaring lion — all brought to life by the MSO with pictures drawn by you! Please see our website for details on how you can contribute to the artwork on stage.
Performed by
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Daniel Corvaia+ conductor
^ Cybec Young Composer in Residence
* World Premiere of an MSO Commission
+ Cybec Assistant Conductor
Years 7 to 12
NAIDOC Week Celebration
All tickets $9
We’re excited to include NAIDOC Week in our Schools’ Program again — register your interest on our website and we’ll contact you when we launch this program in 2026. Past performers have featured artists such as William Barton, Electric Fields, Jess Hitchcock, Dan Sultan, Prof. Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO, and the Dhungala Children’s Choir. Join us to celebrate NAIDOC and the oldest music practice on earth in an inspiring evening of cultural collaboration.
Friday 10 July 2026 / 7.30pm Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall
Performed by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Open Rehearsals
All tickets $9
Go behind the scenes to explore the inner workings of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and discover what it takes to create the perfect performance.
Duration: approximately 60 minutes.
Please note: rehearsals are at the conductor’s discretion and therefore program and finishing times may vary.
Wednesday 4 March 2026 / 10am Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall
John Williams Star Wars: Suite for Orchestra
Gershwin Piano Concerto in F
Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances
Performed by
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Jaime Martín conductor
Wednesday 14 October 2026 / 10am Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall
Tomasi Saxophone Concerto
Shostakovich Symphony No.7 Leningrad
Performed by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Jonathon Heyward conductor
Years 9 to 12
Meet the Music Series
All tickets $9
The MSO’s popular Meet the Music Series is an exciting array of outstanding performers and much-loved orchestral repertoire. With six concerts to choose from there is something for everyone. Each concert in this series will be accompanied by a digital pre-concert talk to help prepare students for the performance. These resources will be available on MSOschools.com.au
1 / The Rite of Spring
Monday 23 March 2026 / 6.30pm Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall
Stravinsky The Rite of Spring
This concert features a 15-20-minute presentation (Auslan interpreted) and a performance of the full work.
Performed by
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Benjamin Northey conductor
Duration: One hour, no interval
This concert is supported by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.
Quick Fix at Half Six is supported by City of Melbourne.
2 / Beethoven’s Second Symphony
Monday 4 May 2026 / 6.30pm Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall
C.P.E Bach Sinfonia in D major, WQ183: first movement
Locke The Tempest: Curtain Theme Beethoven Symphony No.2
This concert features a 15-20-minute presentation (Auslan interpreted) and a performance of the full works.
Performed by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Chad Kelly conductor
Duration: One hour, no interval
This concert is supported by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.
Quick Fix at Half Six is supported by City of Melbourne.
3 / A Trip to Vienna
Thursday 25 June 2026 / 7.30pm
Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall
R. Strauss Rosenkavalier Suite
Mozart Oboe Concerto
Bartók Concerto for Orchestra
Performed by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Anja Bihlmaier conductor
Johannes Grosso oboe
Duration: approx. 1 hour and 40 minutes including a 20-minute interval.
4 / Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony
Monday 10 August 2026 / 6.30pm
Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall
Tchaikovsky Symphony No.5
This concert features a 15-20-minute presentation (Auslan interpreted) and a performance of the full work.
Performed by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Jaime Martín conductor
Duration: 75 minutes, no interval
Quick Fix at Half Six is supported by City of Melbourne.
5 / Metropolis: Sounds of Cinema
Friday 21 August 2026 / 7.30pm
Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall
Thomas Meadowcroft Hollywood Parsifals Concerto for Foley Artists and Orchestra*
Bryony Marks Their World from Noise
David Hirschfelder (arr. Jessica Wells) Suites from The Dressmaker, Legend of the Guardians and Strictly Ballroom
* World Premiere of an MSO Co-commission
Performed by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Benjamin Northey conductor
John Simpson Foley artist
Eugene Ughetti percussion
David Hirschfelder piano
Slava Grigoryan guitar
Leonard Grigoryan guitar
Duration: 1 hour and 50 minutes including a 20-minute interval
6 / Yoshimatsu & Poulenc
Monday 14 September 2026 / 6.30pm Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall
Takashi Yoshimatsu And Birds Are Still… Poulenc Sinfonietta
This concert features a 15-20-minute presentation (Auslan interpreted) and a performance of the full works.
Performed by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Nodoka Okisawa conductor
Duration: 1 hour, no interval
Quick Fix at Half Six is supported by City of Melbourne.
Excursion Subsidy
Excursion subsidies are available for primary and secondary government schools, with priority given to those with an ICSEA lower than 1000. Applications must be received at least 7 days in advance of the event, but early submission is encouraged. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Subsidy is available for:
— Transport
— Staffing Costs
Please note that applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to the availability of funds. Composing Australia events are not eligible for an excursion subsidy. MSO is committed to supporting access to our concert experiences for as many students as possible.
Teachers’ Lounge
We think you deserve a treat! Music teachers all over Victoria are working hard to give our young people the music education they need, and we want to say thank you for all you do.
Complimentary membership and benefits are available to current early childhood, primary and secondary teachers.
As part of your membership, you will receive access to:
— Complimentary and discount ticket offers to select MSO concerts
— Advanced notice of the MSO’s schools’ program brochure
— Classroom resources and videos created by music education specialists
— Priority booking period to schools’ program events
— Invitation to attend MSO’s presentation of the new season’s programs and artists
— Invitation and special offers to attend Music and Ideas events and MSO Academy performances
Sign up at msoschools.com.au
msoschools.com.au
Our schools’ website is the MSO’s one-stop destination for educators. Find resources, lesson plans, concert and instructional videos, and much more!
Feedback, Ideas & Questions
Our Learning and Engagement team is always happy to hear from you. Email schools@mso.com.au
msolearn.com.au
The MSO’s popular online learning resource exploring the inner workings of a symphony orchestra is back! This free interactive tool can be accessed on any desktop or mobile device and takes students through the sections, instruments and sounds of the orchestra.
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