Spring Symphony

Shirley Stidston
Oct 13
2 min read

As part of the Lane Cove Festival, Lane Cove Youth Orchestra held their annual formal concert at the Conservatorium of Music on Sunday, 21 September 2025. Many thanks to Lena Teo and her 'crew' for their huge effort with the food, Emily Gee and Amrita Lal for the wonderful photos.

Lane Cove Youth Orchestra began their concert with a lively folk tune, "Seventeen Come Sunday" from Suite - English Folk Songs by R. Vaughan Williams.

Following on from this spirited piece, LCYO soared through the skies with the popular movie theme How to Train Your Dragon by John Powell.

This was followed by a lively folk dance in triple time – the rousing Mazurka from the ballet, Coppélia, by Leo Delibes.

MI6, as a special exception, allowed Mya Hill (our scholar conductor) to direct the orchestra as they played music depicting the career of secret agent 007. The James Bond Medley captures the fast action and spy thrill of the Bond films as it celebrates 007's role in tracking down those who seek world domination.

The pace changed as LCYO moved to Beethoven's Symphony No. 7. This rhythmical work echoes the toils and tragedies of war. LCYO played the second movement, often interpreted as a funeral march for the fallen, and universally popular since it was premiered by Beethoven himself in 1813.

The Lord of the Dance by Ronan Hardiman, is a lively piece which LCYO play with gusto (and a bit of showmanship). LCYO concertmaster, Samantha Zhang, dazzled the audience with her spirited violin solo.

Epping Boys High School and Cheltenham Girls High School String Ensemble play the following pieces:

1st movement of Winter from the Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi. Joe Zhang is the talented soloist.

Forever Joyful by Brian Balmages

Hydrangea by Yukiko Nishimura

On the Pilgrim’s Road by Jeffrey S Bishop.

As a finale, LCYO together with the Epping Boys High School and Cheltenham Girls High School String Ensemble play The Avenger's Theme by Alan Silvestri and Palladio by Karl Jenkins. The Avenger's Theme makes good use of the brass and percussion sections. Palladio was inspired by the 16th century Italian architect, Andrea Palladio. This music celebrates the renaissance concept of harmony and order.