Sounds interesting: Geelong Community Orchestra takes to the stage.
JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
IT’S not well-known but Geelong in fact has its own symphony orchestra.
Geelong Community Orchestra (GSO) is a 45-piece, community-based group combining professional and amateur musicians of all ages.
Orchestra president Carmel Edwards said GCO presented an annual concert series in Geelong.
“We perform a diverse range of music and it gives the region’s finest vocal and instrumental soloists an opportunity to showcase their talent,” Carmel said.
“Often we’ll combine with other musical groups to present major choral and orchestral works throughout the region.”
Carmel said GCO also played with Melbourne orchestras and choirs.
“We have players aged from 18 to 80 all playing at a demanding standard.
“It gives young musicians in particular an opportunity to play concerts. It’s important because where else would they get to play?
“Without these opportunities they might give music away.
“A lot of people learn an instrument at school but 99 per cent don’t pursue a music career.
“This is a way to get together and make music so all those years of training don’t go to waste.
“It helps players keep up their technique – if you don’t keep playing, you lose it.”
Carmel said GCO had a subscriber base of people who regularly attended the orchestra’s concerts.
Carmel said the orchestra was always looking for more players.
“We’re particularly looking for string players at the moment but it has to be balanced like a footy team – you can’t have too many full-forwards.
“Ideally we’d like to have 10 first violins, 10 second violins and eight cellos but there aren’t as many string players around these days.”
Carmel said GCO raised its funding from ticket sales and membership, with the odd fundraiser thrown in as well.
“Hiring or purchasing music scores can be expensive, costing up to $500, so we’d never say no to a sponsorship,” Carmel laughed.
“Clonard College and Sacred Heart College support us with rehearsal space and use of a performance venue and that helps a lot.
Orchestra musical director Allister Cox is a teacher, performer and conductor who also serves as president of the Geelong Music Teachers’ Association and Cantor at St Mary’s Basilica.
Carmel said more information was available on the GCO’s website at www.geelongcommunityorchestra.com.
