At the end of 1944, the idea for a W.A. Youth Orchestra was floated by Mr Campbell Egan based on the success of the British model:
Choosing what is usually termed the “psychological moment” for launching his proposal, Mr O. G. Campbell Egan (Superintendent of Music in the Education Department) put forward a few days ago the idea of a youth orchestra for Perth. He had just recalled to our minds with a “song fest” the rights of the ordinary boy and girl (meaning those with no special gifts as well as the minority) to the joys of active music-making and the development of appreciation; and Rotary had announced a plan for a youth centre which would include a hall for musical performances. Very timely, then, was the announcement of a scheme which links up with both these objectives in a thoroughly practical way-not an untried piece of idealism but a line of progress developed extensively and with fine results in both America and Britain. Since Mr Campbell Egan has himself expounded the purpose of his scheme and its value to the child and the community the present writer will venture here only to add a footnote or two. The youth orchestra is, as has been explained, the stage beyond the school orchestra, which, of course, is not available to the child after he leaves school. In London in 1926 the London Junior Orchestra was founded in order to ensure that the ever-increasing work done by Britain’s numerous school orchestras should not be wasted. It was restricted, at first, in so far as it catered only for “old boys and girls” from the public and secondary schools, but in 1929 it became an independent organisation. For years it gave concerts regularly in London. It grew so large that it had to be divided into two sections’ and by 1935 it became necessary to add a third section, the intention being that advanced, intermediary and elementary players should have their own orchestra. In 1939 the L.J.O. had the honour of being chosen to represent amateur orchestras in the London Music Festival of that year, when their president, Sir Henry Wood, conducted them. They have continued their activities during the war. It is not suggested that the L.J.O. provides in all respects the pattern on which a youth orchestra in Western Australia should be built, but it does set before us an interesting example. The London “Daily Herald” wrote a while ago words referring to the school orchestra movement which are just as, appropriate to its elder brother, the youth orchestra: “It inculcates an intelligent musicianship at an early age, it provides an excellent means of occupying leisure, and it is an extremely civilising influence, for music-making involves an acute balance between discipline and leadership and trims the wings of emotion with the shears of intellect.”
The West Australian Saturday 4 November 1944 page 4
Jack Harrison was the youngest member of the newly formed ABC amateur Orchestra formed in 1945 by Mr E.J. Roberts.
Violinist, Norman Bourke was also in this orchestra, which rehearsed at Perth Girls’ School in James Street.
“Do it Yourself”
Amateur Orchestra is Opportunity (By “Althena”)
To a number of Perth’s amateur musicians, Mr E.J. Roberts and the ABC have offered a golden opportunity to “do it yourself” in unison by the formation of an amateur symphony orchestra. Mr Roberts selected only those whom he considered sufficiently conversant with their instruments to be able to give attention to the niceties of orchestral playing because, as he explained when I attended a recent rehearsal, his aim was to weld a miscellaneous collection of players into an orchestra, not to teach people how to play individual instruments. Although the majority of the players are of the teen age, ages range widely, from the diminutive Jack Harrison, the clarinettist, to elderly men and women who have joined forces with youth; linked by the ageless bonds of music.
The youngest member, Jack Harrison, comes from a musical family. He has been playing a clarinet for the past 18 months, but has played other instruments.
The Broadcaster Wednesday July 11 1945
Likes the Orchestra – Jackie Harrison, popular in the League Concert Party during the early stages of the war, has been among the regular listeners to the symphony orchestra concerts this season. Reason, he is gleaning all the knowledge he can about the clarinet. As a member of the juvenile A.B.C. Orchestra he has gained good experience and shows promise of becoming most proficient in the woodwind section. He is anxious to get back into the League band ranks if there is room for a clarinet.
The Boomerang September 30 1945
YOUTH ORCHESTRA – INAUGURAL CONCERT – High Standard Achieved.
Winthrop Hall on Wednesday night was the scene of the inaugural concert of the newly-formed AllYouth Orchestra. In the presence of about 800 adults, these boys and girls, whose ages range from 12 to 15 years, gave the enthusiastic audienoe a taste of what might easily beEome a musical asset to Perth. Indeed, it is the aim of the promoters and supporters to extend this youth orchestra idea to other centres throughout W.A. – each working as separate units which will unite once a year in a combined effort for a large-scale orchestral week and final concert. No better outlet and training for the emotional expression of youth’s cultural urge could be imagined and such a project deserves the support of all interested in the rising generation. The concert under review lacked nothing in variety and achieved a standard deserving of the highest praise, for although the orchestra lacks the depth and fulness which maturity brings, this was mainly due to the absence of bass instruments – cellos and double basses – which, of course, are difficult to play and rarely taken up as a study until a player has reached adult years. But this was largely compensated for by clean-cut precision and the keenness and spontaneity of youthful enthusiasm. What latent talent existed was revealed as the programme unfolded, for without exception the supporting items reached a high standard, and withal a pleasing variety. Norman Bourke and Leslie Jenkins, in solo numbers, and Lois Dear and Erica Warden, as duettists, were the violinists, while Neville Bull provided a vocal solo, and a trio from Princess May School – Georgina Johnstone, June Newton, Joan Cummings -a three-part song by Scarlatti. As a pianist, Rosalind du Rieu was both soloists and accompanists, while among the popular items were Jack Harrison’s contribution on the mouth organ and Don and Jim Cartwright’s duet on flute and oboe. The Perth Boys’ School Choir, with John Shute on the piano and Mr C. L. Jenkins as conductor, sang with a purity of tone and a clarity of diction worthy of emulation by many adult choirs. The founder and conductor of the All-Youth Orchestra (Mr O. G. Campbell Egan) has every reason to be pleased with the efforts of his young charges and to feel inspired to further efforts.
The West Australian Friday 19 October 1945 page 9
1947
YOUTH ORCHESTRA
Excellent Playing By Juveniles (By “‘Tactus”)
The third concert of the Youth Orchestra, under the direction of Mr. O. G. Campbell Egan in the Winthrop Hail last night was a fine example of the work accomplished, and the promise for the future, in the musical branch of the cultural development of the younger generation. Numbering nearly 50 players, mostly in the string sections, but with a sprinkling of wood-wind, surprisingly good results were obtained. Not only to concerted numbers does that apply, but also to the members who stepped out and gave first-class entertainment with solos, a duet, a quintet, and vocal solos in which a voice of charming mezzo-soprano quality was revealed. There were many indications of capable and careful training in orchestral playing. The tone was rich, the bowing uniform and firm, a consistent observance was given in expression, phrasing, and accent, in addition to which the conductor secured a steady response to the effects he desired. The most notable success was the Ballet music from “Rosamunde” (Schubert). After prolonged applause, Mr. Egan remarked that he was gratified by the recognition by the audience the players’ achievement, for the work was actually for an adult orchestral rather than one composed of juveniles. The soloists were Violinists, Norman Bourke, Ray Nash, Colleen Harris, Don Gollangher and Lois Dear. Pianists, John Shure and Rosalind Du Rieu. Flautist, Jim Cartwrigbt. Oboist, Don Cartwright Saxophonist, Fay Sharp. Mezzo-soprano. Erica Warden. Quintet of strings, Colleen Harris Laurel Deverell, Roma Uren, Pat D’Arcy and Rene Harris. The Perth Boys’ High School Choir were deservedly well received in several unison and part songs conducted by Mr. C. L. Jenkins and accompanied by Miss Lois Harry. A ceremony which preceded the final number was the presentation on behalf of the orchestra by the leader, Don Gollangher of a baton each to Messrs. Egan and Jenkins in recognition of their work in the training.
West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Thursday 16 October 1947, page 7
WAYO today
The current WAYO was founded in 1974 to provide orchestral training and performance opportunities for young musicians aged 15 to 22.
- 1980s: Musical Director and conductor Peter Moore OAM (alongside figures like the late Richard Gill) co-founded the popular Babies Proms concert series, designed to introduce young children to orchestral instruments. Moore has served as an inspirational musical director for the organization since 1988.
- International Touring: Over decades of music-making, WAYO built a robust international touring profile, performing in major cultural hubs such as London, Prague, Berlin, Mannheim, Brussels, Paris, Singapore, and Hyogo.
- 2019: The orchestra made history by selling out the Perth Concert Hall for the first time in its 45-year run during its acclaimed Planets concert.
- 2024: WAYO celebrated its 50th anniversary with major sold-out commemorative concerts at the Perth Concert Hall featuring signature repertoire and guest conductors like Tze Law Chan.