Concerts for All Celebrates First Anniversary and Achieves Charity Registration
- concertsforallsydn
- May 26
- 7 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
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15 and 16 May 2025, Glebe — This May, Concerts for All marked a significant milestone: its first anniversary and the thrilling news of its official charity registration with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).
The intimate anniversary event, held over two sessions at Master Music Studio on May 15th and 16th, showcased the extraordinary talents of Australian pianist and international prizewinner Joshua Han in a stunning recital. This gathering brought together the organisation's supporters to celebrate a year dedicated to enriching the lives of Sydney's children and families through classical music.
In a delightful twist, the organisation's board members—all passionate music educators—were pleasantly surprised to receive notification of their official charity status on the night of the 15th. This exciting news added an extra layer of significance to the anniversary celebrations.
Concerts for All's First Anniversary: Celebrating a Year of Music Education Development
Since its establishment in 2024, Concerts for All, operating under Music Development Association Inc. (INC2400330), has organised a number of classical music events: 15 Young Maestros Community Concerts, a masterclass, and even a classical pop-up busking event on Pitt Street—its first event, in fact—outside one of the busiest shopping centers in Sydney's CBD. Through these initiatives, the organisation has already featured over 60 outstanding young musicians who have contributed to making classical music more accessible to the broader community while gaining valuable regular performance experience.
Board Members Present the Organisation and Their Mission
The mission and initiatives of Concerts for All were presented by Yichao Ma, the director of the organisation. She emphasised that the main goal of Concerts for All is to address the gap in music education, specifically the lack of music listening and appreciation. Board members Christopher Malek and Marija Stojakovic also discussed one of the organisation's key music listening campaigns: 1 Hour a Day. Drawing from their experiences as musicians and music educators, they underscored the essential role of music listening in education and lamented its declining presence among today's learners.
The contributors to the expansion of the 1 Hour a Day Listening Campaign were additionally acknowledged, including Simply for Strings, Kawai, and Dr. Anna Reid, Head of School and Dean of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Are you a music educator? We have prepared a guide and several music listening and appreciation resources for you. Visit our 1 Hour a Day campaign page to access resources and to request materials.
Featured Artist Joshua Han in Recital
The anniversary celebration featured a stunning recital by Joshua Han, showcasing works by Bartók, Liszt, Fauré, and Chopin. As the 2024 Australian National Piano Award winner and the 2025 International Piano Competition J.S. Bach laureate, Joshua's performance was exceptional.
Attendees were captivated as he played the Steinway grand piano, provided by Theme & Variations Piano Services. The Master Music Studio, with its intimate 100-seat capacity, created a warm, engaging, atmosphere not only during the performance but also in the ensuing Q&A with the audience.
Playing is one thing, but immersing ourselves in the music that other great players have played before us is separate but equally important. –Joshua Han
Q&A: The Significance of Listening and Immersion
Considering his recent accomplishments both locally and internationally, Joshua Han's performances, including this one, have consistently aligned with the music he is renowned for, aptly characterised by Sydney Arts Guide as demonstrating “complete mastery of his instrument as well as complete empathy with the music” (Sydney Arts Guide). During an engaging Q&A session, he shared with the audience the origins of his journey and passion for music: it all began at home.
A Musical Environment at Home
Joshua began his piano and violin lessons with his mother at the age of 4. In addition to lessons and disciplined practicing, he shared, "Growing up, there was a lot of music around the house, going to school in the car — I would always listen to classical music...all different kinds of classical music that I had access to, and obviously it's continued to this day."
During the celebration on May 15th, his parents were present in the audience, witnessing a tribute to their role in fostering his musical development. The session highlighted themes essential to Concerts for All's mission — the importance of a musical setting and attentive listening in developing technical abilities and a deep, lasting love for classical music.
"It was a lot of music listening away from the piano, and of course, we'd go to some concerts when the time fit. I think playing was one thing, but immersing ourselves in the music that other great players have played before us is separate but equally important."
Music and Medicine
In a particularly engaging exchange, Joshua discussed balancing his medical and musical careers, as he is currently completing his Master of Music Studies (Performance) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, while pursuing medical studies at the University of Sydney:
"I think that the love of music is what allows me to put a lot of time into it, because if you love something, you prioritise it no matter what. I also enjoy the scientific approach of medicine, so when I'm feeling that I need some structure and logic, then I turn to my medicine. It's a nice Yin and Yang combination, which I'm happy with."
Unveiling of Projects: Creating Pathways to Classical Music
Concerts for All has made a commendable start but recognises the necessity to expand its outreach to engage a broader community. In alignment with its mission to cultivate future classical musicians and audiences, the organisation is establishing a pathway that (1) guides children and families from their first concert experience to a deeper appreciation of music, and (2) consistently offers young and emerging classical musicians regular performance opportunities.
The Next Step: Emerging Artist Recital Series
We’re building a step-by-step entry path into classical music — helping children and families go from zero experience to deep appreciation, in a way that feels natural, joyful, and accessible. –Yichao Ma, Director
Concerts for All will soon feature emerging artists, aged 15–30, in their own recital to gain valuable artistic and professional experience. They will be paid for their performance, and tickets will remain accessible to communities, priced at $20.
This progression is a logical step for the young artists involved in the organisation's community concerts across Sydney, while also broadening the chance for musicians up to 30 years old. Director Yichao Ma states: "We’re building a step-by-step entry path into classical music — helping children and families go from zero experience to deep appreciation, in a way that feels natural, joyful, and accessible. It's classical music made accessible for every age, for every stage."
As for classical audiences, especially those who have newly immersed themselves in Concerts for All's Community Concerts, it is their next step towards engaging with larger and more intricate classical performances.
The Concert Listening Challenge: Developing a Concert-Going Habit
To further advance Concerts for All's music listening initiatives, the organisation will soon launch the Concert Listening Challenge program, designed to foster a concert-going habit among children.
What is the Concert Challenge?
The challenge encourages participants to attend 15 classical concerts over the course of 12 months, offering a structured way to deepen their appreciation for the genre. Participants will receive a tracking card and stickers to confirm attendance, ensuring a straightforward and engaging experience.
To foster motivation, participants are invited to submit their concert tickets after attending five events. This initiative enables them to earn rewards at a community concert and attain titles such as Concert Initiate, Music Steward, or Classical Champion. The Concert Challenge encompasses all classical format performances, including smaller school concerts, thereby expanding opportunities for participation.
Further details about the challenge's mechanics will be provided at launch, ensuring that all interested individuals have the necessary information to fully participate.
A National Campaign for Build the Classical Audience
Concerts for All created this program with the intention of having a wide, national impact. It can be seamlessly incorporated into various school music programs and community initiatives. Even venues such as music stores and community centers might also get involved. The aim is to involve the general public, making attending concerts a regular part of daily life.
To realise this vision, the organisation has revealed that this impactful campaign, which has a nationwide reach and lasting influence, is open for sponsorship. Logos can be prominently displayed on each Concert Challenge card. The board recognises that financial and corporate support can strengthen its initiatives and has already begun establishing key partnerships to enhance its existing and future programs, paving the way for the extensive reach it intends to achieve.
Expanding Outreach Through Partnerships
Fusing Concerts for All's vision with that of like-minded organisations presents an incredible opportunity to empower the classical music community. Not only are resources combined, but also the will to serve and grow the craft and community at large. It was only a matter of time for the organisation to reach out and develop projects with prominent groups within and across industries.
Theme & Variations Foundation
Alongside the generous backing from Theme & Variations Piano Services, Concerts for All will also collaborate with the Theme & Variations Foundation.
Concerts for All will host recitals showcasing prizewinners of the Theme & Variations Awards, providing more performance opportunities for outstanding young pianists acknowledged by their program.
Queen Victoria Building (QVB)
Concerts for All will be donating a performance-quality baby grand piano to the iconic Queen Victoria Building. This partnership will allow Concerts for All to host monthly public classical concerts in one of Sydney’s most elegant public spaces.
Official Charity Registration
Achieving ACNC charity registration is a significant milestone for Concerts for All. This official acknowledgment facilitates stronger collaborations and new funding avenues, enabling the organisation to broaden its reach and strengthen its impact on music education across Sydney.
Concerts for All operates under Music Development Association Inc. (INC2400330) and is now officially registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. More information about the organisation can be accessed on the About page.
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