The Junior String Ensemble (JSE) is one of nine orchestras and ensembles comprising 470 musicians operated by Queensland Youth Orchestras (QYO).
In 2010, the ensemble has 65 players aged 8 to 15 years. JSE has had only two conductors in its history: Monica O’Neill (née Paulsen) from 1975 to 1990 and Chen Yang from 1991 to the present.
JSE regularly performs joint concerts with other QYO, youth and school ensembles. In 2010, JSE is performing in combined concerts with the Western Suburbs String Orchestra, the Pine Rivers Area String Orchestra, St. Hilda’s School String Ensemble and Gold Coast Youth Orchestra Chamber Orchestra.
In 2009, JSE toured to Dalby, Roma and Toowoomba, performing three school concerts and two public concerts at Roma State College and Westhaven RSL Care Community Hall, Toowoomba. In September, JSE performed as part of Deep Blue orchestra’s Young Blue performance at Brisbane’s 150th birthday celebrations at the Riverstage.
JSE performs a wide range of repertoire, much of which is arranged by conductor Chen Yang. In 2009, JSE performed works by Puccini, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi, Mozart, Bach, Handel and more, and premiered a new work called ‘Tilt Train’ by 14-year old Bundaberg student, John Rotar.
Chen Yang has had a long association with Queensland Youth Orchestras. He first joined as a violinist in 1975 and was concertmaster of QYS from 1978 to 1980, touring with the orchestra in 1980 to Europe, including the International Festival of Youth Orchestras in Aberdeen, Scotland.
Attributing these positive QYO musical experiences as a major influence in choosing music as a career, Chen studied at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and graduated with distinction in violin performance.
As his first professional musical undertaking, Chen was the Concertmaster of the Queensland Theatre Orchestra (later renamed the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra), working under the distinguished conductor, Georg Tintner.
In 1981, Chen joined the Queensland Symphony Orchestra as a member of the first violin section until 1989. He continued performing as a freelance musician throughout the early 1990s, performing in show orchestras for many major musical productions at QPAC.
Chen is the leader and conductor of The Sinfonia of St Andrew’s orchestra and is the string teacher and conductor at St Hilda’s School, Southport. He is also the leader of the Corda Spiritus Orchestra of Brisbane who have performed several concerts for 4MBS Music Festival in recent years. His other musical interests include performing on baroque violin with period instrumental ensemble, the Badinerie Players of Brisbane. Chen adjudicates regularly for eisteddfods and competitions and is also a prolific arranger of string music for the Junior String Ensemble. Chen was the conductor of QYO3 from 1983 to 1988 and since 1991 has been the conductor of the Junior String Ensemble.
Where:- Queen Street Mall Stage
When:- Saturday 29th of May 2.30pm to 3.10pm
More Info:- FREE EVENT - NO BOOKING REQUIRED
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