"From Canyons to Coastlines": Highlights from BYU Chamber Orchestra's Visit to Australia 

The Brigham Young University Chamber Orchestra recently visited Australia, including performances in Melbourne, Hobart, and Perth.

The tour was supported by Brigham Young University, which is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The aim of the tour was to foster faith, enhance educational opportunities, and nurture character development.

One highlight for orchestra members was a performance to a capacity audience of over 800 people with the St. Paul’s Cathedral Choir in the famous St. Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne.

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The performance featured selections from Handel’s Messiah, as well as some Australian favourites.

Elder Damon Page, Area Seventy for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said, “We were thrilled to have the BYU Chamber Orchestra come to Melbourne and more thrilled to have them perform at St. Paul’s Cathedral, the iconic cathedral here in Melbourne. To be able to collaborate with the Anglican Church here is an absolute treasure for us.  Coming together in music to worship our Saviour Jesus Christ has been a sweet experience.”

Phillip Nichols, Music Director for St. Paul’s Cathedral, said, “We have a responsibility to build our community and not to be suspicious or question what other Christian faiths do.  Bringing together our Anglican Church and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is an important thing.  Our two communities have come together based around the collaboration of the musicians here tonight and have had dialogue and shared stories.  The Church of Jesus Christ has been into our space, and we are hoping for a collaboration where we can move into their spaces.  But the most important thing we have done tonight is make friends.”

From Melbourne, the orchestra traveled to Hobart where they performed with the Hobart Chamber Orchestra at the C3 Church. 

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After the Hobart concert, Bailey Minnich, a BYU Orchestra musician, said, “Even on the other side of the world, it still feels like home because we can come together with our similar love for music and our love of the gospel. It feels like home.

In addition to the concert, the orchestra also participated in workshops with Hutchins and Collegiate Schools and Simon Reed Wind Ensemble. They also provided service at two community gardens.

In Perth, the orchestra performed to sell-out audiences at both Government House and at the State Theatre of Western Australia, where they had the privilege to perform with the Chimera Ensemble and Applecross High School, with whom they shared a music workshop.  

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Leanne Hussey, who attended the concert, commented, “The orchestra’s presence had such a positive influence and did much for everyone who attended their concert.”

In addition to the concerts in Perth, the orchestra also participated in a youth and young adult meeting.  Over 600 young people attended to hear BYU students share their music and love for God and the Saviour.

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Paul Lekias, Communication Director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Western Australia, said, “The devotional brought together music, feelings, and thoughts from the students about how Jesus Christ brings great love and happiness. The time with the BYU students and hearing their testimonies gave the youth and young adults renewed faith and greater hope.”

McKenna Taylor, Concert Master for the BYU Chamber Orchestra, said, “I think I can speak for a lot of the people in the orchestra when I say that we love this music and we love our instruments. Being able to present this music in a concert has been exciting for us and we hope that the people in the audience could feel that.”

Dr. Nathan Haines, Director of Orchestras for BYU, said, “We feel that there is always at least one person who needs to hear the music that we play, and we need to bring that beautiful experience.”

Read about other performances in Australia here.

Learn more at the BYU performing arts website.