The Next Chapter in Music

WASO continues to champion the composers and artists shaping the future of orchestral music, bringing bold new ideas, fresh perspectives, and rarely heard works to audiences across Western Australia. Our 2027 Season features five world premieres by some of Australia’s most celebrated contemporary composers, alongside exciting first performances and emerging voices.

WASO’s 2027 Season presents new works by leading Australian composers including Carl Vine, whose Piano Concerto No.3 adds a major new work to his celebrated catalogue, and Richard Mills, whose Percussion Symphony promises an exhilarating showcase of rhythm and colour with WASO’s very own percussionists at the helm.

Elizabeth Younan unveils a new work, while James Ledger returns to premiere his Cello Concerto with Li-Wei Qin in November. Fellow West Australian composer Lachlan Skipworth debuts a new Oboe Concerto – to be performed exclusively for our Matinee Symphony Series audience by WASO Principal Oboe, Liz Chee – continuing his acclaimed exploration of the possibilities of orchestral sound.

WASO also turns the spotlight to composers whose music is being presented by the Orchestra for the very first time. From Camille Pépin’s atmospheric Les Eaux célestes and Anna Clyne’s evocative This Moment to the music of Theodore Akimenko, Louise Farrenc and Ethel Smyth, our 2027 Season brings new discoveries alongside established masterpieces.

Our commitment to nurturing the next generation continues through our annual Composition Project. Now an established part of WASO’s creative program, Composition Project gives emerging West Australian composers the opportunity to develop their professional practice with guidance from experienced mentors and WASO musicians. The winners of the 2025 and 2026 Projects, Darcy Lewis and Amy Skellern, will both have new works premiered in the 2027 Season.

From exciting new commissions to emerging composers taking their first steps onto the professional stage, our 2027 Season invites audiences to experience the here and now of orchestral music.