25 October & 6 December
Gates open: 3pm
Performance: 3.30pm — 5pm
Heritage Garden
Adults: $20
Kids: Free
Find your place in the Heritage Garden.
Exceptional live music meets the ease and pleasure of an afternoon in the gardens. Convent Sounds brings musicians from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) to Abbotsford Convent for two relaxed daytime concerts.
Bring a picnic, gather your favourite people and enjoy the brilliance of brass on 25 October, then return for festive fun on 6 December. Whether you’re a lifelong music lover or a curious newcomer, this is your invitation to discover something new and enjoy it with loved ones.
Presented by Abbotsford Convent and MSO+, Convent Sounds pairs outstanding musicians with a welcoming heritage setting.
Bring a picnic, gather your favourite people and settle in for an afternoon of exceptional live music. Convent Sounds opens with an 11-piece brass ensemble featuring musicians from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM).
From Baroque masterpieces to the stunning screen music of John Williams, the programme spans centuries of musical storytelling, including Prokofiev’s epic portrayal of star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet.
Whether classical music is a familiar pleasure or a new discovery, this relaxed daytime concert is an invitation to enjoy it together. Bring your family, meet friends and make an afternoon of the Convent’s gardens, with picnic packages, food and drinks available to purchase on the day. You’re also welcome to bring your own picnic.
Convent Sounds returns in December with musicians from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) for a community singalong in the Convent’s heritage gardens.
Join in the singing or settle back and enjoy the music as musicians and audiences come together for an end-of-year celebration. Bring your family, meet friends and make time for an afternoon together.
For the ultimate relaxed Sunday session, pre-order a picnic hamper at checkout and pick it up on the day.
Showtime Event Group are putting together a selection of hampers, with sweet and savoury options to suit any taste. Portioned for four, they’re best for sharing with your loved ones.
Hamper orders for the October session close 12pm, Thursday 22 October, so be sure to get in quick!
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is Australia’s pre-eminent orchestra, dedicated to creating meaningful experiences that transcend borders and connect communities. Through the shared language of music, the MSO delivers performances of the highest standard, enriching lives and inspiring audiences across the globe.
With a history spanning more than a century, the MSO reaches five million people annually through performances, television, radio, online broadcasts and recordings.
Led by Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor Jaime Martín, the MSO brings music to communities across Victoria and beyond, ensuring more people can experience the transformative power of music, regardless of background or location.
In 2026, the MSO further expands their local impact through MSO+, a new musician-led initiative designed to develop “programs with purpose” for Victoria’s diverse communities.
