Get ready for a mesmerizing evening with the Orange Youth Orchestra! This special concert will feature the talented winner of our earlier concerto competition, showcasing a fusion of young musical prowess and seasoned artistry. Immerse yourself in the dynamic performances of our dedicated youth musicians in a night that celebrates the future of classical music.

PROGRAM

SAINT-SAËNS - The Carnival of the Animals

SMITH - Into The Storm

HUMMEL - Potpourri for Viola and Orchestra featuring Concerto Competition winner Carmel Kelly (viola)

ABOUT CARMEL KELLY 

Carmel has played violin with her siblings and others since she was about 4 – church music, bush dances, orchestras, music groups & Forbes Eisteddfods. 

She is currently the key Fiddle player for the Kelly family band the “Kelly Gang Bush Band”
She has won various musical scholarships and prizes in the Forbes and Orange Eisteddfods along the way.

In 2021 Carmel became the youngest member to successfully audition for the Regional Youth Orchestra (RYO). Fun fact, her birthday is on 1/1/2010 and they had to be 11 by the 1/1/21 – the day she turned 11!

Carmel played Violin, and attended with her 2 older brothers (playing Bassoon & Cello). It was a lifechanging experience – at least “instrument changing”! After hearing the Viola at the first RYO camp, she desperately wanted to switch instruments, falling in love with the deeper richer sound. Besides that, her older brother played viola and she always liked it. This idea was thoroughly encouraged by her then teacher Lisa Stewart.

She began Viola lessons with Lisa’s husband Stefan Duwe almost immediately. He has been an excellent teacher and mentor.

Her next big goal was to successfully audition for RYO on the Viola the following year… quite a tall order to get to grade 5 playing level in 6 months! Carmel is very goal oriented, and just loved the opportunities RYO offered so committed and managed to successfully audition for Viola in 2022 at 12 yrs old!

She is currently preparing for her first Viola exam – AMEB Grade 8 Performance in July/August this year.