Melbourne Youth Orchestras’ return with The Big Busk 2026 at Queen Victoria Market in Naarm

The streets of the Queen Victoria Market will come alive with the sound of music when Melbourne Youth Orchestras (MYO) presents The Big Busk on Saturday 19 September 2026, transforming one of Naarm, Melbourne’s most iconic destinations into a vibrant celebration of young musical talent.

From 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, more than 650 young musicians will perform across a main stage and multiple busking sites throughout the market. Audiences can enjoy live music from solo performances and chamber ensembles to jazz bands, string orchestras, concert bands and full orchestras, showcasing the extraordinary breadth of Victoria’s next generation of musicians.

Following the success of its inaugural event in 2025, which raised $35,000, MYO has set a fundraising target of $50,000 for 2026. Funds raised will support MYO’s Future Fund, a long-term initiative working towards a broader goal of ensuring young people across Victoria continue to have access to outstanding ensemble music education, performances, and creative opportunities for generations to come.

The MYO Big Busk is more than a fundraising event; it’s a celebration of community, creativity and the transformative power of music education.

Sarah Clark, Operations Manager at Melbourne Youth Orchestras, said the event captured everything MYO stands for: “Big Busk 2025 was incredibly memorable because it allowed students to perform as soloists, in chamber groups, ensembles and orchestras in one of Melbourne’s busiest public spaces. It demonstrated, in the biggest way possible, the positive impact MYO has on everyone, whether they’re a music student or simply someone who loves music.”

This year’s event also marks a significant expansion of the Big Busk movement. Originally established by Sydney Youth Orchestras (SYO) and presented jointly with MYO in 2025, the 2026 event will now include Queensland Youth Orchestra and Music for Canberra, creating an East Coast-wide celebration of youth music-making, with thousands of young musicians performing in cities and communities across Australia on the same day. Tasmania Youth Orchestras and Adelaide Youth Orchestras will also join the initiative later in the year.

Throughout the day, 14 MYO ensembles will perform, including string orchestras, concert bands, jazz ensembles, the Adaptive Music Bridging Program and MYO’s Flagship orchestra, offering market visitors an unforgettable soundtrack as they shop, dine and explore, creating meaningful musical experiences for both performers and audiences.

For many students, The Big Busk is a unique opportunity to perform in a relaxed public setting, building confidence while sharing their passion for music with the wider community.

One student participant from the 2025 event said: “I busked on the day, and it was so much fun! I loved the experience, and the MYO staff were incredibly supportive. It was a great performance experience, and I enjoyed being able to play without the stress of a strict concert environment. It really helped my confidence in performing, and I’m so glad I signed up.”

Former MYO participant and staff member, clarinettist Grace Trebley, knows first-hand the life-changing impact of music education: “Growing up in Albury-Wodonga, I didn’t have many chances to meet other young musicians who shared my passion. That changed when I joined Melbourne Youth Orchestras. MYO gave me opportunities I couldn’t have imagined. I joined the weekly ensemble program and was inspired by all the incredible music professionals who worked with us.”

The Big Busk is free to attend, with all donations supporting the future of music education in Victoria.

Whether you’re a regular market visitor, music lover, family, or a curious passer-by, everyone is invited to stop, listen, and experience the joy of live music performed by Victoria’s talented young musicians.