Sydney Youth Orchestra Philharmonic Presents Broadway Classics

With a career spanning 50 years, the conductor of the Sydney Youth Orchestra Philharmonic since 2007, Brian Buggy OAM, will conduct the young orchestra in a programme called SYO Philharmonic Goes To Broadway to mark the centenary of one of the greatest composers and conductors of the 21st century, Leonard Bernstein.

Says Brian “All those great opera, ballet, musical theatre melodies, the dramatic moments, nostalgic indulgences and exciting rhythms, are normally played by a reduced orchestra, stuffed in a pit. Here, we have the power, range, colour, youth-filled enthusiasm and artistry of a complete symphony orchestra, in full view on a concert stage. What’s not to love? Enjoy! I know I will.”

Brian Buggy has been sharing his love of musical theatre with audiences around Australia and the world for most of his life. His long career in theatres and concert halls began when he played trumpet in his own jazz band during his school days, before winning a violin scholarship to the Queensland Conservatorium, touring as principal trumpet of the Borovansky Ballet Orchestra, which later became The Australian Ballet, and landing his first Musical Director role for “The Firm,” J C Williamson Theatres at the age of 21.

Since then Buggy has conducted and presented the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s very popular Family Concerts, numerous Eisteddfod wins by school concert bands and symphony orchestras like the Knox-Abbotsleigh Youth Orchestra (KAYO), directed the great musicals of the era throughout the southern hemisphere and directed more school musicals than he should care to remember. In the course of this time outstanding talent like Hugh Jackman, Georgie Parker, Hugo Weaving and scores of fine musicians peppered throughout orchestras world-wide were discovered. He has composed scores for Film Australia, incidental music for the theatre, TV, chamber music and many arrangements for various ensembles, as well as much work dedicated to school performance.

The Symphonic Dances from Bernstein’s West Side Story were the result of plans to turn the musical into a film, after which a concert version quickly ensued. Numerous orchestrators had a hand in the arrangements, however, Bernstein himself had ultimate control and even specified instrumentation to ensure that this work reflects his plans.

The programme includes: WAGNER Lohengrin: Prelude to Act 3 LLOYD WEBBER Selections from Phantom of the Opera ARNOLD English Dances: Set Two, Op. 33 LOEWE/LERNER My Fair Lady TCHAIKOVSKY Swan Lake: Finale to Act 4
Tickets Adult $50 + booking fee/Concession $25 + booking fee

Bookings Online at syo.com.au or phone 02 9251 2422