Every tour builds a bridge,
between cultures, and between musicians
Melbourne String Ensemble Tour Program
Since its formation, MSE has been a touring orchestra. We have performed in every major city in Australasia, and every two to three years our flagship ensemble embarks on an international tour to Europe, South East Asia or North America.
Music is an international language, and touring is one of the most powerful ways our students broaden their perspective on other cultures and their approach to music-making.
On tour, MSE students rehearse and perform alongside other youth orchestras, playing joint concerts in wonderful concert halls such as the Liederhalle in Stuttgart, Tonhalle Maag in Zurich and Tartu University Hall in Estonia. Presenting Australian works overseas matters to us, and through this cultural exchange our students build international networks that serve them well into their professional lives.
MSE also organises masterclasses for students on their solo repertoire, working with distinguished pedagogues including Christoph Poppen, Maria Kliegel, Anke Dill, Wen-Sinn Yang, Ida Bieler, Johannes Goritzki, Mi-kyung Lee and Stephan Picard.
Below is a snapshot of where MSE has travelled as part of its extensive touring and exchange programme.
Photo credit: James Henry
Upcoming Tours and Exchanges
2027: Europe Tour in April - Stuttgart, Cologne, Aachen and Brussels
2027: Hosting Stuttgart Youth Orchestra in July
Photo credit: James Henry
2027 Europe Tour - Stuttgart, Cologne, Aachen, Brussels
In April 2027, MSE's flagship ensemble travels to Germany and Belgium, performing in Stuttgart, Cologne, Aachen and Brussels. The tour continues MSE's twenty-year partnership with Junges Kammerorchester Stuttgart (JuKO), one of our longest-standing exchange relationships, with joint rehearsals and performances planned in Stuttgart.
[Further tour details, itinerary and performance venues to be confirmed closer to departure.]
Past International Tours and Exchanges
2025: Hosted Junges Kammerorchester Stuttgart (JuKO) in Melbourne, August
2024: Germany and Czechia
2021: Planned tour of USA and Canada — cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic
2018: Zurich, Stuttgart, Munich, Salzburg, Vienna
2016: Melbourne exchange — hosted Junges Kammerorchester Stuttgart
2015: Prague, Weimar, Stuttgart
2013: Ljubljana, Zagreb, Varaždin, Venice
2010: Spain and Portugal
2008: Melbourne exchange — hosted Tallinn International Youth Orchestra
2007: Sweden, Estonia, Finland, Russia
2006: Melbourne exchange — hosted Junges Kammerorchester Stuttgart
2005: Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart
2004: New Zealand
2003: Berlin, Stuttgart, Cologne
2000: Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong
1995: Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong
1994: Germany, Austria, the Netherlands
1991: New Zealand
1989: Italy, Germany, Austria
1988: United Kingdom, Germany, Austria
1986: Germany, Italy, Austria
FEATURED TOUR2024 Germany-Czechia Tour
In April 2024, MSE's flagship ensemble spent three weeks touring Germany and Czechia, performing in Berlin and Leipzig before finishing the tour in Stuttgart. Along the way, MSE collaborated and performed with the Stuttgart Youth Chamber Orchestra, the Leipzig Youth Symphony Orchestra, and the orchestra of the School of Music and Art in Liberec.
Photo credit: James Henry
FEATURED TOUR2018 European Tour
In April 2018, 29 students and 11 parents toured the musically significant cities of Zurich, Stuttgart, Munich, Salzburg and Vienna - a rich musical and cultural experience that included visits to cities that shaped some of Europe's greatest composers.
