Informal Concerts
-
Relaxed concerts with a playful, cosy, atmosphere. Often with audience interaction.
-
For age 0-4, especially children new to concerts and those who enjoy a fun, engaging experience.
-
May allow or encourage movement, especially for young children.
Heading 2
Formal Concerts
-
Traditional concerts focused on attentive listening and musical appreciation.
-
For ages 4+ with some music experience, and those who enjoy a focused musical experience.
-
Feature a seated setting where stillness and attentiveness are expected during the performance.
Lunchbreak Concert
Venue
Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney Conservatorium or Music
Dates and Times
Wednesday & Thursday WEEKLY 12:30pm
Event Duration
Approx. 60 minutes
Affordability
Free entry, gold coin donation
Lunchtime Concerts at NSW Parliament
Venue
Parliament of NSW
Dates and Times
Wednesday 17 September from 12:45pm to 1:30pm
Wednesday 22 October from 12:45pm to 1:30pm
Wednesday 12 November from 12:45pm to 1:30pm
Event Duration
45 mins
Affordability
Free
Age Level
Understanding Level
Instrumentation
Piece Duration
Style/Energy
5+
Medium
Varies
Varies
Classical, contemporary, diverse
HEAR IT BEFORE YOU GO
At each concert, musicians from the Sydney Youth Orchestras, Sydney Conservatorium of Music and other talented organisations and groups will play a selection of pieces ranging from classical through to contemporary movements.
UNDERSTAND THE MUSIC
ACO Families: Where to Hide a Star
Venue
ACO On The Pier - The Neilson
Dates and Times
1 - 11 October 2025 (mornings and afternoons)
Event Duration
30 mins
Affordability
$39
Age Level
Understanding Level
Instrumentation
Piece Duration
Style/Energy
4+
low
production and live music by string quartet
storytelling, delightful, creative
HEAR IT BEFORE YOU GO
Experience Oliver Jeffers’ heartwarming new tale of starry wonder, magical adventure and the power of friendship
Past production trailer watch
UNDERSTAND THE MUSIC
THE AUSTRALIAN DOCTORS ORCHESTRA NEW WORLD CONCERT
Venue
The Concourse Concert Hall
Dates and Times
Sun 12 Oct 2025, 2:00 PM
Event Duration
1.5 hr
Affordability
$20 - $55
Quang Hong Luu in Recital
Venue
Master Music Studio
Dates and Times
Sat 18 Oct 2025, 4:30pm
Event Duration
1.5 hrs
Affordability
$40 - $60
Age Level
Understanding Level
Instrumentation
Piece Duration
Style/Energy
5+
Medium
Piano
7 - 40 mins
Virtuosic, programmatic, lyrical
HEAR IT BEFORE YOU GO
Maurice Ravel: "Une barque sur l'océan" (from Miroirs) watch
Franz Liszt: "Venezia e Napoli" watch
Franz Schubert: Piano Sonata in B-flat Major, D. 960 watch
UNDERSTAND THE MUSIC
Bach in the Dark - Music for Cello and Double Bass - The Living Bach
Venue
St. James Church
Dates and Times
Sat 18 Oct 2025 7pm
Event Duration
1.25 hrs
Affordability
$45
Age Level
Understanding Level
Instrumentation
Piece Duration
Style/Energy
4+
medium
Cello, double bass
Varies
adventurous, electronic, baroque, contrasting
HEAR IT BEFORE YOU GO
Rachel and Ben have chosen music either by J.S. Bach, or music by living composers.
Assisted by sound technician, Ben Sibson, the concert will feature works by Richard Chrlton (who will write something especially for these concerts, inspired by Bach), Carl Vine, Jon Rose, David Pereira, Raf Marcellino and Ben Ward.
UNDERSTAND THE MUSIC
ACO Up Close: Danilo Pérez
Venue
ACO On The Pier - The Neilson
Dates and Times
Sun 19 Oct 2025, 7:00pm
Event Duration
70 mins
Affordability
$35 - $84
Age Level
Understanding Level
Instrumentation
Piece Duration
Style/Energy
5+
Medium
piano
jazz, fusion, classical, virtuosic
HEAR IT BEFORE YOU GO
In this rare solo performance in The Neilson, Pérez brings his signature blend of virtuosity and soul to an intimate chamber setting, inviting audiences into a deeply personal journey of sound that bridges the gap between jazz and classical music.
Pérez past performance watch
UNDERSTAND THE MUSIC
Hiromi: The Piano Quintet Feat. PUBLIQuartet
Venue
City Recital Hall
Dates and Times
Thursday 23 October, 8pm - 10:30pm
Event Duration
1.5 hours
Affordability
$89 - $109
Age Level
Understanding Level
Instrumentation
Piece Duration
Style/Energy
5+
Medium
Piano quintet
vaires
Jazz, classical, virtuosic
HEAR IT BEFORE YOU GO
In The Piano Quintet, Hiromi expands on her impressive emotional range, joining forces with multi-GRAMMY-nominated string quartet, PUBLIQuartet (USA), to present a breathtaking blend of jazz and classical composition. Highly melodic, intricately arranged and emotionally intense, this suite showcases Hiromi’s otherworldly talent as she interacts with the strings with unbridled energy and impeccable precision.
PUBLIQuartet watch
Hiromi watch
UNDERSTAND THE MUSIC
Salut! Baroque presents Voice, Rejoice
Venue
Sydney Conservatorium of Music
Dates and Times
Sunday 26 October from 3pm to 5pm
Event Duration
2 hours
Affordability
$30 - $45
Age Level
Understanding Level
Instrumentation
Piece Duration
Style/Energy
5+
Medium
Voice and chamber orchestra
Varies
Baroque, dramatic, versatile
HEAR IT BEFORE YOU GO
This concert presents music of extraordinary variety and exquisite beauty – from the rhythms and colours of Spanish song, the majesty of the German choral tradition, the refinement of French opera, and the passion and theatricality of Italian arias.
UNDERSTAND THE MUSIC
Mountain
Venue
Sydney Opera House
Dates and Times
Tue 28 Oct 2025, 8:00pm
Event Duration
1hr 20 mins (no interval)
Affordability
$30 - $192
Age Level
Understanding Level
Instrumentation
Piece Duration
Style/Energy
5+
Low
Orchestral (Film)
Sublime, breath-taking, sensory
HEAR IT BEFORE YOU GO
Mountain: film live in concert, featuring music by Antonio Vivaldi, Ludwig van Beethoven, Frédéric Chopin, Peter Sculthorpe and Richard Tognetti.
UNDERSTAND THE MUSIC
SYDNEY MOZART SOCIETY - STREETON TRIO
Venue
The Concourse Concert Hall
Dates and Times
Tue 04 Nov 2025, 8:00 PM
Event Duration
2 hours
Affordability
$30 - $65
Age Level
Understanding Level
Instrumentation
Piece Duration
Style/Energy
4+
Low
Trio (violin, cello, piano)
22 - 47mins
Lyrical, classical, dramatic, sweet
HEAR IT BEFORE YOU GO
MOZART Trio in B-flat major, K 502 watch
BRAHMS Trio in C minor, Op.101 watch
SCHUBERT Trio in B-flat major, D.898 watch
UNDERSTAND THE MUSIC
What is Understanding Level?
Low: Music that is universally pleasant and straightforward, typically from the Classical or Romantic periods, or akin to popular movie scores. Pieces are short, usually under 8 minutes, making them approachable and easy for general audiences.
Medium: Includes a broader range of styles such as Baroque, Impressionist, and some Contemporary pieces. While still pleasant, the repertoire may contain less commonly performed works with academic value. The pieces may be longer, up to 15 minutes, offering a more varied listening experience.
High: Designed for the seasoned or professional listener, this level spans all genres and includes pieces of any duration. It may feature complex structures, dissonance, or avant-garde elements that require more focused listening and a deep appreciation of musical theory and history.
Explore More Concerts & Hear It Before You Go
There are more beautiful concerts out there! We recommend visiting websites like Classikon, or checking directly with venue websites such as the Opera House, City Recital Hall, Sydney Conservatorium, Riverside Theatre, and Capitol Theatre. These venues are the original sources for the concert information we share, and you can use them too. If you're unsure whether a concert is right for you, check their program and copy and paste the pieces' title and composer's name into YouTube to listen to a preview. This can help you decide if it's a concert you'd like to attend.