The Big Busk 2024
Saturday 28 September from 8am to 6:30pm
SYO Presents The Big Busk 2024: A Celebration of Orchestral Music Across the City
Sydney, Australia – Saturday September 28th, 2024 – Sydney Youth Orchestras (SYO) is excited to announce the return of The Big Busk, our biggest annual fundraising event, happening on Saturday September 28th, bringring our orchestras to some of Sydney’s most iconic locations.
This year marks a special evolution of the event as we shift from our traditional weekday slot to a Saturday, allowing more people to immerse themselves in a full day of music and community engagement across Sydney’s CBD and Parramatta with over 600 talented musicians from the SYO taking to the streets for the love of music.
A Legacy of Innovation and Impact
The Big Busk began in 2018 as an audacious undertaking: moving over 660 young musicians across the city to perform at multiple venues in an incredible showcase of talent and dedication, and in 2022 we added in livestreaming the entire event in a single day.
Never seen or heard an orchestra? SYO has 15 orchestras full of talented young people aged 5 to 25 years of age. Performing over 16 hours and 60 pieces of music, The Big Busk has something for everyone. From pop classics to classical masterpieces, The Big Busk is an exciting day out or even a music filled day in via the live stream!
Why We Busk?
The Big Busk is not just about the performances — it is about ensuring the future of music through vital fundraising. With less than 7% of our funding coming from government sources, we depend on the generosity of our community to continue nurturing young talent. Your donations during The Big Busk directly support:
Purchasing “endangered” instruments: Ensuring our orchestras have access to rare and unique instruments.
Expanding our sheet music library: Providing our musicians with a diverse repertoire to learn and perform.
Supporting business infrastructure: Maintaining the resources needed to operate and grow.
Finding a permanent home: Securing a dedicated space for our musicians to rehearse and perform.
Join Us for a Day of Music and Community
The Big Busk is a celebration of music, community, and the incredible talent nurtured within SYO. Whether you’re a long-time supporter or new to SYO, we invite you to join us at one of our busking locations or via the livestream to experience the joy of music and support the next generation of musicians.
For more information, visit www.syo.com.au