Canberra Symphony Orchestra

12/09/2026

Thank you to all who joined us at the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra last weekend for French Accents, an afternoon of chamber works by Poulenc, Tomasi, Tailleferre and Mozart.

The program of piano, oboe, bassoon, clarinet and French horn was a perfect accompaniment for the view of the spring weather over the sculpture garden through the wall of glass in Gandel Hall.

A special thank you to our presenting partner, Arcare Aged Care, for their support in making this concert series possible.

Up next is our final Chamber Series concert for the year. The CSO Piano Trio takes the stage on 11 October for a program featuring Beethoven's iconic 'Archduke' and Emilie Mayer's Notturno.
👉 https://cso.org.au/concerts/archduke-trio

📸 Arianne Schlumpp

07/09/2026

Calling all young, talented Canberra musicians! Applications are now open for the next generation of musicians to join CSO’s Future Pathways youth ensembles.

Apply before 6 November to be considered for auditions for:
🎻 Kingsland Strings (8-13)
🎺 Kingsland Brass (12-19)
🎼 CSO Youth Chamber Orchestra (12-19)
🥁 CSO Youth Percussion (12-19)
🎓 The Kingsland Fellowship (open to ACT tertiary and postgraduate musicians, including those studying non-music programs, who play any orchestral instrument)

There is no charge for applications or auditions.

Visit our website for eligibility and audition requirements 👉 cso.org.au

📸: Arianne Schlumpp

07/09/2026

Three sold-out shows with The Cat Empire!

CSO joined The Cat Empire and Jessica Gethin - Conductor for three performances featuring The Cat Empire's signature genre-hopping blend of ska, jazz, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and flamenco. With the whole audience on their feet, the energy in Llewellyn Hall was electric.

It was our pleasure to host generations of The Cat Empire fans!

📸: Arianne Schlumpp

04/09/2026

Wonderful folks of Canberra! We can’t wait to hit the stage tonight with Canberra Symphony Orchestra . The first 2 shows to sell out on this entire tour were tonight and tomorrow night at Llewellyn Hall , and there are only 15 tickets left for tomorrow arvo’s added matinee show, so get in quick!

This kind of ticket buying support goes a long way for the industry as a whole, so thank you Canberra for showing up and letting the scene know that you’re big supporters of Australian live music.
📸: Dead As Disco

03/09/2026

Thank you to the families who joined us at the National Museum of Australia last weekend for our sold-out Book Week concert.

Our musicians accompanied a reading of Clare McFadden's enchanting book, The Flying Orchestra, bringing the story to life for our littlest audience members and their families.

Presented by Kristen Sutcliffe, with Pip Thompson violin, Lucy Carrigy-Ryan viola, Samuel Payne cello, Steven Allen guitar and Rachel Best Allen clarinet.

📸 Arianne Schlumpp

25/08/2026

We are delighted to share that the Kingsland Piano Trio has been selected as a National Finalist for Strike A Chord 2026.

Join us in celebrating their achievement, held at the National Final at the Melbourne Recital Centre this Saturday 29 August. Watch on national livestream via the link below:
https://tickets.musicaviva.com.au/36033/36037?_gl=1*eq22s3*_gcl_au*MTg2MTQ2MDUyMS4xNzg3NjQ1OTY5*_ga*MTIwMjI5Mzg2MC4xNzg3NjQ1OTcw*_ga_XSDQWZCKCX*czE3ODc2NDU5NjkkbzEkZzEkdDE3ODc2NDU5NzIkajU3JGwwJGgw

📸 Arianne Schlumpp

24/08/2026

Ben Folds opens his Australian Orchestra Tour with Canberra Symphony Orchestra!

For two nights only, he will be performing with us at Llewellyn Hall. Friday 22 and Saturday 23 January 2027.

Folds has spent more than 20 years touring orchestral arrangements of his own songs, from Whatever and Ever Amen with Ben Folds Five through to a concerto for piano and orchestra.

Tickets on sale Friday 28 August, 10:00am.

Join the waitlist below:
cso.org.au/concerts/ben-folds

21/08/2026

Music, joy and laughter filled the library at Malkara School yesterday during the CSO Ricky Stuart Music Makers concert.

Our new collaboration with the Ricky Stuart Foundation is opening up opportunities for students in specialist schools across Canberra to connect with music.

Our musicians shared their music with students who may never have heard live music or played an orchestral instrument before.

Thank you to the wonderful team at Malkara, and to Ricky Stuart for joining us and making the day extra special.

📸Ari Schlumpp

17/08/2026

11/08/2026

Explore the art of trumpet playing with Leanne Sullivan 🎺

This Saturday, young musicians, brass players and their families are invited to a free masterclass with Principal Trumpet of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Leanne Sullivan.

Leanne brings a wealth of performance experience and a passion for nurturing the next generation of musicians.

Presented by CSO as part of the Future Pathways program, this is an opportunity to hear and learn from one of the country's most accomplished performers and music educators.

📅 Saturday 15 August, 1:00pm
📍 Larry Sitsky Recital Room, ANU School of Music
🎟️ https://cso.org.au/concerts/masterclass-with-leanne-sullivan