New orchestra hits right note

A VOID in the city’s cultural landscape is set to be filled with the launch of Geelong Symphony Orchestra (GSO).
The initiative will bring together the region’s best, highly trained classical musicians, while providing music lovers with new opportunities to enjoy world class concerts at local venues.
Spear-heading the initiative is well-known local musician Wendy Galloway, president of the GSO’s management committee.
Ms Galloway said the orchestra had grown from a groundswell within the music community to harness a growing pool of local talent living and working in the region.
“GSO aims to be a dynamic and collaborative ensemble performing inspiring music that enriches the cultural life of the region,” she said.
“Geelong has many fine musicians who are experienced and well trained, but have lacked the opportunity to come together as a symphony orchestra under the baton of a skilled professional conductor.
“The Geelong Symphony Orchestra will fill this gap and we are delighted that Joannes Roose has agreed to be our inaugural conductor and musical director.”
A highly regarded conductor, Mr Roose studied conducting in Vienna and founded the Sinfonia of Adelaide.
Mr Roose, a musical director of Melbourne Sinfonia for the past 20 years, lives at Inverleigh.
With 35 members so far, Ms Galloway said the orchestra was keen to hear from other highly skilled musicians in the region who would like to attend rehearsals at Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus.
Ms Galloway said the orchestra planned two concerts for 2016 and hoped to attract broad audiences with accessible programs and affordable ticket prices.
The first concert would be a gala event showcasing the region’s musical talents at Deakin’s waterfront Costa Hall on 26 February.
The program would impress and inspire lovers of fine music, Ms Galloway said, with celebrated Australian pianist Amir Farid to perform Grieg’s much-loved Piano Concerto.
The concert will also feature Dvorak’s great symphony From the New World and Nicolai’s sparkling Overture to the Merry Wives of Windsor, she said.
The new initiative will officially launch at 4pm on 21 November at Geelong’s City Hall.