Percussionist

Whether he’s writing for voice, yiḏaki and guitar or the full force of a symphony orchestra, William Barton creates music that feels grounded and expansive.

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William Barton & the Sydney Symphony

Wollondilly Performing Arts Centre

City Recital Hall

New Worlds: Jaime conducts Cheetham Fraillon and Dvořák

Deakin University Geelong Waterfront Campus

Arts Centre Melbourne

The ‘Ode to Joy’, the finale of Beethoven’s irrepressible Ninth Symphony, is one of the most famous melodies ever written. It’s a special moment in music that makes us feel connected to each other, and for over 200 years it has engulfed us in its boundless energy. When you hear it live, the power of so many triumphant voices is astonishing.

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with Simone Young

Sydney Opera House

For the first time ever in the Elbphilharmonie Grand Hall, this concert is set to feature the unique combination of didgeridoo and orchestra as the MSO joins forces with renowned didgeridoo soloist William Barton to bring this extraordinary performance to Hamburg. Alongside this groundbreaking work, this concert also includes Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, a timeless classic that invites the audience on a musical journey through a museum.

Elbphilharmonie Summer: Breath of Life from Down Under

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg

For the first time ever in the Elbphilharmonie Grand Hall, this concert is set to feature the unique combination of didgeridoo and orchestra. The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, one of Australia’s finest ensembles, joins forces with renowned didgeridoo soloist William Barton to bring this extraordinary performance to Hamburg. Alongside this groundbreaking work, the programme also includes Mussorgsky’s »Pictures at an Exhibition«, a timeless classic that invites the audience on a musical journey through a museum.

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra / William Barton / Jaime Martín

If you’ve never heard a didgeridoo played live before, now’s your chance. Joining the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jaime Martín, William Barton takes centre stage in Treaty by Deborah Cheetham Fraillon. Performed for the first time, the work evokes the depth and richness of Indigenous Australian culture.

Pictures at an Exhibition

Usher Hall

Take a round-the-world trip with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and William Barton as they make the first stop of their UK & Europe tour as part of the Edinburgh International Festival.

Edinburgh International Festival: Pictures at an Exhibition

Usher Hall, Edinburgh

The wonderful Australian Youth Orchestra features young instrumentalists aged 12 to 30, hailing from all corners of the continent. The experiences these musicians bring with them are correspondingly diverse. They all applied for this summer and passed a rigorous selection process. Now they're touring Europe, performing at the MV Festival, and adding another facet to the colorful picture audiences can form of these young heroes of orchestral life—even playing the didgeridoo!

Orchestral heroes: The Australian Youth Orchestra

To mark this year’s 50th anniversary of NAIDOC week, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra celebrates the Strength, Vision and Legacy of Yorta Yorta / Yuin composer and soprano Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO with a powerful concert of works by this much loved and acclaimed national treasure.

Yinya dana: lighting the path

Vivaldi’s Four Seasons evocatively depicts birdsong, violent thunderstorms, and crackling winter fires, with plenty of fireworks along the way.

Percussionist

William Barton

Events

Past events

4 - 5 Jun, 2026

William Barton & the Sydney Symphony · Sydney Symphony Orchestra

27 - 29 Nov, 2025

New Worlds: Jaime conducts Cheetham Fraillon and Dvořák · Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

Future and recently performed repertoire

Music performer in Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

Music performer in In the South (Alassio) by Elgar

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

yidaki in Treaty for Yidaki and Orchestra by Cheetham

Usher Hall

Vocals in Birdsong At Dusk by Barton

Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Vocals in Didgefusion by Barton

Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Vocals in Petrichor by Barton

Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Vocals in Journey to the Edge of the Horizon by Barton

Sydney Symphony Orchestra

About

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