Simone Young

Chief Conductor

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In this 25-minute animated film, students take a magical journey through the anatomy of an orchestra, where strings pulse, winds flutter, percussion bursts and brass gleams.

With each section becoming their own character, this is music like your students have never experienced before.

Guided by Conductor in Residence Benjamin Northey, students will hear and see how sound is shaped and set in motion. Paired with highlights from Holst’s The Planets, this concert is orchestral brilliance in full colour. Cinematic and simply unforgettable.

This concert will run for approximately fifty minutes, without an interval.

Program

Adam MANNING

Rhythmic Acknowledgment of Country

Mason BATES

Philharmonia Fantastique

HOLST

The Planets: Mars, the Bringer of War | Mercury, the Winged Messenger | Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity

Artists

Benjamin Northey

Conductor in Residence

Australian conductor Benjamin Northey is the Chief Conductor of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Conductor in Residence of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Principal Guest Conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. In 2025 he was appointed Professor of Conducting at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and Director of the Australian Conducting Academy. He has previously held the posts of Associate Conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (2010-2019), Resident Guest Conductor of the Australia Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra (2002-2006) and Principal Guest Conductor of the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra (2007-2010).

Northey studied conducting at Finland's Sibelius Academy with Professors Leif Segerstam and Atso Almila after being accepted as the highest placed applicant in 2002. He completed his studies at the Stockholm Royal College of Music with Jorma Panula in 2006.

He previously studied conducting with John Hopkins OBE at the University of Melbourne Conservatorium of Music from 2000-2002.

Northey appears regularly as a guest conductor with all major Australian symphony orchestras, Opera Australia (La bohème, Turandot, L'elisir d'amore, Don Giovanni, Così fan tutte, Carmen), New Zealand Opera (Sweeney Todd), Victorian Opera (Candide, Into the Woods) and the State Opera South Australia (La sonnambula, L’elisir d’amore, Les contes d’Hoffmann).

His international appearances include concerts with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, the Hong Kong Philharmonic, the National Symphony Orchestra of Colombia, the Malaysian Philharmonic and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

Northey has collaborated with a broad range of leading artists including Lang Lang, Pinchas Zukerman, Wynton Marsalis, Maxim Vengerov, Anne-Sofie von Otter, Julian Rachlin, Karen Gomyo, Piers Lane, Alban Gerhardt, Johannes Moser, William Barton, Lu Siquing, Amy Dickson, Slava Grigoryan, Marc-André Hamelin, James Morrison, Kurt Elling, Archie Roach, Ben Folds, Nick Cave & Warren Ellis, Paul Grabowsky, Tim Minchin, kd Lang, Patti Austin, Kate Miller-Heidke, Megan Washington, Barry Humphries, Meow Meow and Tori Amos.

Northey is highly active in the performance and recording of new Australian orchestral music, having premiered dozens of major new works by Australian composers.  He has previously been a board member of the Australian Music Centre.

An Aria Awards, Air Music Awards, and Art Music Awards winner, he was voted Limelight Magazine's Australian Artist of the Year in 2018. Northey's many recordings can be found on ABC Classics. In 2025, he conducts the Melbourne, Sydney, Queensland, Tasmanian and Christchurch Symphony Orchestras and the Hong Kong Philharmonic.

Pricing

  • Student: $15 each
  • Accompanying teacher: 1 teacher free* for every 15 students
  • Additional teacher: $15

How to Book

Request a quote below and we will send a quote for you in 5 business days over email. Once confirmed, we will send you an invoice that you can organise payment through your school via direct deposit, cheque or credit card.

We understand that final attendance numbers can vary. Changes to your booking can be made no later than 8 weeks prior to the first performance date by emailing schools@sydneysymphony.com or calling (02) 8215 4600.

Tickets will be emailed to you approximately a week ahead of the performance, please remember to bring these with you on the day of the concert.

GET A QUOTE

More Information

Arrival Time

Please ensure you arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of the concert. If your school is delayed on the day, please contact the Sydney Opera House Box Office on (02) 9250 7777.

Ticket Collection

Tickets will be emailed to you approximately a week ahead of the performance, please remember to bring these with you on the day of the concert.

Concert Etiquette

Please remind your students to follow concert etiquette. Listen quietly, avoid talking or using devices, and clap at the appropriate times so that everyone can enjoy the concert.

Schools Bags

School bags are not permitted at the venue. Please ensure the students leave their bags at school. Storage for school bags is not available.

Risk Assessment

For any questions regarding the Sydney Opera House risk assessment please contact their Box Office on (02) 9250 7111. Otherwise, you can read more here.

Accessibility

Sydney Opera House is committed to providing access to quality educational arts experiences for students and teachers with disability and specific needs. Read more here.