About Us

Barrier Reef Orchestra is a product of North Queensland Ensembles Inc.

North Queensland Ensembles Inc. is an Incorporated Association registered in the State of Queensland.
It is also a tax deductible fund listed on the Register of Cultural Organisations under Subdivision 30-B of the Income tax Assessment Act 1997. It is based in Townsville, North Queensland, Australia.

History of the Orchestra

Over a two-year period in the late nineties, Townsville musicians, arts workers and a group of people who had a love for music realised the potential for developing a community-based Orchestra — one that would flourish and become an integral part of the City’s cultural life.

In 2000 to ‘test’ the viability of establishing an Orchestra a weekend workshop was arranged and musicians were invited to participate under the baton of Richard McIntyre, Senior Lecturer at the Canberra School of Music and the result — the Barrier Reef Orchestra was born.

In a typical year the Barrier Reef Orchestra, under the auspices of North Queensland Ensembles Inc, performs three times generally with a guest conductor and occasionally with other performing groups. Smaller ensembles, all utilising players from the Orchestra, regularly give concerts — Orpheus Strings, Pandanus Winds, Kingfisher Trio, Centenary Concert Band and the Barrier Reef Chamber Orchestra.

During the next few years the Orchestra performed with the comedy-duo Scared Weird Little Guys in Score, Townsville City Council’s Last Night of the Proms and A Christmas Carol.

Annual Highlights

• 2003
  In 2003 (the Townsville Council’s centenary year) the Orchestra took part in Encore, as well as playing a major role in the Townsville Civic Theatre’s 25th Anniversary productions of Noye’s Fludde and Carmina Burana.
• 2004
  In 2004, the Orchestra presented its first subscription series of three concerts, receiving sponsorship from Queensland Nickel – Yabulu.

  The high standard is due in no small measure to the guidance and inspiration of our founding Patron, Professor John Hopkins OBE and conductor Richard McIntyre OAM.

• 2005
  A busy programme in 2005 saw the orchestra perform in five concerts with an interesting and varied range of works, including a saxophone concerto by Glazunov (soloist – Jason Xanthoudakis), chamber music featuring the Kirwan High String Quartet with BRO soloists, an anniversary concert for the North Queensland Concerto and Vocal Competition featuring previous winners of the award, and a chamber music concert featuring Pandanus Winds.
• 2006
  In 2006 the orchestra became a truly North Queensland orchestra when in March a number of string players from Cairns travelled to Townsville to rehearse under Professor Hopkins for the planned Tchaikovsky concert. Unfortunately, the interruption of Cyclone Larry prevented the repeat performance scheduled for Cairns.

  The final concert for 2006 , ‘Amadeus’ featured music by Mozart, celebrating the life of this great composer in his 250th anniversary year. The Barrier Reef Orchestra could think of no better way in which to celebrate their sixth anniversary!

• 2007
  In 2007 BRO performed the Beethoven Triple Concerto with visiting Seraphim Trio from Melbourne.
  The orchestra repeated the concert in Cairns with no Cyclone Larry this time!

  A string ensemble drawn from the larger orchestra was invited by Piers Lane, the new Director of the AFCM, to perform for the first time in the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, accompanying Australian Opera Baritone Peter Coleman-Wright, a very successful concert.

  The Governor of Queensland became the patron of the Orchestra joining the founding patron Professor John Hopkins to inspire the further development of the orchestra and the year culminated in a sell out concert featuring James Morrison, conductor Sean O’Boyle, jazz vocalist Emma Pask and a collaboration with Townsville Brass and the rhythm section from the amazing 1 RAR Band. The event of the year!

• 2008
  In 2008 this last concert generated an award from the Townsville City Council as “Best Musical Event 2007” and after a mammoth launch at the Townsville City Council Chambers the year began with a concert under the baton of visiting UK conductor Mark Eager. This was a collaboration with a combined High Schools orchestra and demonstrated the depth of musical talent flowing up from the district’s excellent Instrumental Music programs. The concert culminated in BRO combining with the high school orchestra for a stirring 1812 Overture!

  Then followed a terrific concert featuring Matthew Rigby, the 2007 winner of the North Queensland Concerto and Vocal Competition, conducted by John Hopkins OBE, continuing a fruitful collboration promoting young rising musicians.

  This was closely followed by a performance at the AFCM with the orchestra ensemble playing a Carl Vine composition “The Battlers” which was conducted by the composer. Also at this occasion the orchestra accompanied Innisfail-born, London-based concert pianist Piers Lane. The orchestra greatly appreciates such opportunities to perform alongside such inspiring artists.

  Conductor Richard McIntyre returned in October with rising Oboist Megan Billing and BRO to perform in Slavonic Swoon, featuring works by Dvorak, Smetana and Martinu.

  2008 culminated in the return of Sean O’Boyle who brought with him James Morrison, Emma Pask and Catherine Lynagh (Qld Piano Competition winner) and another collaboration with 1RAR musicians.

• 2009
  The Barrier Reef Orchestra proudly announced that Her Excellency, the Governor of Queensland Penelope Wensley agreed to be patron of our orchestra. 2009 was a year of highs and lows for the Barrier Reef Orchestra…

  Our first concert in March was conducted by Richard McIntyre but we had pre-concert drama as our soloist had to retire due to injury. We fortunately were able to get Marcus Stocker at the last minute to play the Dvorak cello concerto. The program of Dvorak and Sibelius challenged the orchestra but the challenge and drama became greater due to the failure of the airconditioning at Riverway. With the venue getting hotter and hotter during rehearsal we had to decide whether to go ahead or cancel the event. We decided to go ahead and most of our loyal audience stayed with us but it was hard going. Rick who is from cold Canberra certainly got a feel of the tropics that night as did everyone that attended.

  Our mid-year concert had to be cancelled due to the majority of the orchestra going away for a music camp. Very few cities the size of Townsville attempt to produce an orchestra and while Townsville is musically very strong we certainly stretched the music fraternity too far at that time.

  Our October concert was to feature Ji Won Kim who had won the previous Australian Vocal and Concerto Competition here in Townsville. However, her blossoming career had her overseas at the time, and made her unavailable for that concert. She has since gone on to win the ABC’s Young Performer of the Year Award. We now look forward to hearing her play in our next concert in March 2010.

  Our guest conductor Sean O’Boyle knew the perfect singers to do a “Last Night at the Proms” concert. This concert was a great success! It featured the Townsville Oratorio Choir, the full orchestra, Sean O’Boyle conducting and also included guest piper, Ray Sutton, guest tenor, Gregory Moore and Canadian soprano, Suzanne Kompass at the Civic Theatre.

• 2010
  As promised, Ji Won Kim duly performed in our March concert “Romantic Interludes” at the Riverway Arts Centre. This well attended concert featured Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with Ji Won giving a stunning performance. The concert also included Schubert’s Rosamunde Overture and the “unfinished” Symphony No. 8 by Schubert. Conductor was Professor John Hopkins.

  The string section of the Orchestra played at our major sponsor Queensland Nickel’s Open Day in May.

  In July we celebrated our 10th anniversary with a concert conducted by Richard McIntyre who also conducted the first Barrier Reef Orchestra ten years ago. This was an afternoon tea concert with table settings of ten at Jupiters Hotel Ballroom with high tea served at interval. It was a mixed program intended to suit the occasion with two pieces repeated from the first concert and highlighting the talents of nine local musicians as soloists including John Coulton from London on trumpet (but as an ex Pimlico High Student still counted as local).

  This concert was extremely well received and also included the distribution of the newly published 10 year commemorative history of the Orchestra prepared by Jean Dartnall.

  Our October concert featured the 2009 Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition winner Rebecca Chan. It was held at Dancenorth Studio with Professor John Hopkins conducting. Rebecca gave a memorable performance of Mozart Violin Concerto No. 4 and Vaughn Williams Lark Assending. The concert was at 5.00pm and titled Twilight Classics with a varied program including Delibes, Elgar and Grainger.

  An end of year BBQ followed for members and guests. As special guest performers we also had Pimlico Chamber Strings who gave a short recital which demonstrated the talents that won them the Queensland Fanfare Award for 2010.

• 2011
  We have had a notable and rewarding year which saw the Orchestra include other arts groups to great advantage – three choirs, 1RAR Band and Townsville Cinema Group were all involved with us this year. The three concerts attracted a total of 1,457 patrons and two were full houses.

  On Tuesday, 16th August the great Beethoven 9th Symphony was played at Townsville Civic Theatre with Conductor David Lawrence and soloists from Brisbane and Mackay and the Spirit of the Voice Choir. A full house and a standing ovation. The young choristers of Allegretto choirs provided an entertaining first half before many proud parents and a receptive audience, this concert was however all about Beethoven’s 9th and under the enthusiastic, at times athletic, leadership of British conductor David Lawrence the orchestra, soloists and the choir gave a dramatic performance. The concert was a major musical and logistical challenge presenting this great work for the first time in Townsville (probably for the first time anywhere in regional Australia). The concert attracted both new audience and new orchestra members and was a greatly rewarding experience for performers and audience alike. It also won the 2011 Performance of the Year trophy at the Townsville City Council Arts Awards.

  Our final concert had the Barrier Reef Orchestra “Going to the Movies” at Riverway Arts Centre. Orchestra Manager, Andrew Ryder was the originator and conductor and it featured members of the 1RAR Band and visual images organised by Townsville Cinema Group. A concert with a difference – performed in semi- darkness with both still and moving images projected to accompany the varied program of familiar and memorable movie music. Gabriel’s Oboe was a highlight as was the classic Tom and Jerry cartoon.

  A very well received concert, also one that drew many new faces.

  March this year had a Russian theme and the sold out concert at Riverway was conducted by our artistic patron, Richard McIntyre and featured 2011 Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition winner Edwina George playing the Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 2. It also had a small harp solo played by a special guest and international harpist Sebastien Lipman in the Nutcraker Suite by Tchaikovsky.

  A bonus concert was when the Orchestra played the 1812 Overture at the Kapyong Day Official Parade along with the 1RAR Band and live cannons at Lavarack Barracks.

  In 2010 we appointed a paid part time manager; this has now run for two years and has proven most beneficial. Our first manager Andrew Ryder resigned after the October concert due to other work commitments and he has been replaced by Sally Frewen-Lord. I wish to thank Andrew for his great contribution to the year’s success. Our publicity has improved over the year with both the presentation and numbers of posters and banners increasing. The use of reuseable banners re-branded for each concert is proving to be a big saving.

  Another advance in 2011 was the acquisition of music scores and parts for a BRO repertoire. When these pieces can be included in the rehearsal schedule we will have the ability to fill unforeseen performance opportunities on quite short notice. Sponsorship support in 2011 was excellent and combined with good box office numbers has enabled us to further build up our cash reserves which two years ago were dangerously low. Queensland Nickel, Townsville City Council and the Wheeler Family Charitable Gift Fund have all continued their generous support of our core activities in 2011. Council funding was changed from an annual funding to a 3 year agreement.

  Two concerts this year had “concert sponsors”. RACQ sponsored the Beethoven 9th Symphony concert and RSL N.Q. District the Barrier Reef Orchestra Goes to the Movies concert. In both cases the respective organisation’s members received concession admission prices as part of the arrangement. We were also supported during the year with cash or in kind assistance from Kowari Motors, Signs of Excellence, ASAP Printers, Sturt Business Centre, The Keyboard Shop and Pimlico State High School Grants were received from RADF and the Breakwater Island Casino Community Benefit Fund – as well as the repertoire music mentioned before, the Orchestra now have six adjustable cello chairs.

  Our sincere thanks go to all of our sponsors and we look forward to their continuing support.

• 2012
  2012 was a very successful year for the orchestra, with a very varied concert season.

  We presented three concerts, one at Riverway Arts Centre and two at the Civic Theatre. Each was well received and well patronized – a total of 1,434 patrons between the three concerts. Not only is our audience increasing but so also is the orchestra itself – we have many new players and numbered 65 or more musicians on stage at each concert. Our general membership is also increasing and perhaps reflecting this trend (and the increasing workload) we now have an enthusiastic management committee that is twelve strong.

  The March concert was conducted by our artistic director Richard McIntyre and was Russian themed – Prokofiev, Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky. It featured Edwina George – the 2011 Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition winner as violin soloist and we also welcomed Sebastien Lipman from Brisbane on harp.

  In August we had our first concert with Mario Dobernig conducting. Mario has been rehearsing the orchestra and will conduct the March 2013 concert.

  The concert in August featured Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto with Raymond Yong on piano and also the New World Symphony. It was an excellent performance, very well received by the audience who insisted on an encore.

  The November concert was James Morrison Latin Fiesta. This concert was dreamed up by James Morrison and conductor Sean O’Boyle but is re-worked for each performance and had previously been performed with the Queensland, Tasmanian and West Australian Symphony Orchestras. Our performance is the only one with a community orchestra. The concert was great fun for both the orchestra and the large audience. It was also particularly pleasing to welcome ten members of 1RAR band who joined us as musical partners in this performance.

• 2013
  In 2013 we staged three successful concerts with a total audience of 1200 patrons.

  In March the “Works of Art” concert was a sellout at Riverway. Mussorgsky, Strauss and Haydn with conductor Mario Dobernig was well received by an appreciative audience.

  In August we had the well named “Contrasts” concert with conductor Raymond Yong and a program varying from Beethoven to Sculthorpe and featuring Elgar’s Cello Concerto with Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition winner Yoshika Masuda. This concert was also presented at the Burdekin Theatre, our first performance at another centre for many years. The concert was also notable for our collaboration with Umbrella Studio and ABC Open which resulted in a photo artists group forming to produce a video of images to accompany Schulthorpe’s Mangrove. The resulting video can be seen here.

  We provided an ensemble to play at Anzac Park in September as part of the Bandstand Centenary event and then in October we presented “Hats Off to Gilbert and Sullivan”. This was a quite demanding production devised and conducted by Richard McIntyre and involved 80 singers from North Queensland Opera and Music Theatre and Townsville Choral Society. The chorus combined with a sizable orchestra well and truly filled the Civic stage for what was essentially a Gilbert and Sullivan tribute show featuring excerpts from three operettas tied together by a narrator.

  2013 saw us maintain our membership numbers and our financial position remained strong. We cover approximately 60% of our expenditure from box office income (which is considered to be very good by not-for-profit arts organisation standards) and the remainder is covered by grants, sponsorship and philanthropy.

  Townsville City Council continues to be our principal sponsor with a generous grant that covers our on-going core operational expenses. The Wheeler Family Charitable Gift Fund has also continued its strong support and it was pleasing to welcome Wilmar Sugar as a new sponsor in 2013. Wilmar are supporting us in our Burdekin performance initiative. Great in-kind support has continued from Sturt Business Centre, ASAP Printers, Signs of Excellence and the Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition.

  A new fund raising approach in 2013 was our Benefactors appeal. This has had a good start with 17 benefactors currently enrolled and the first renewals about to commence. I believe this particular avenue of fund raising will strengthen over time and prove to be a very reliable source of income provided it is proactively managed. 2013 saw our first encouragement awards. Two young orchestra members – Craig Land and Lexie Gorton – each received a well deserved $500 award in recognition of their enthusiastic participation in the orchestra and their musical development. I am pleased that the committee is continuing the encouragement awards in 2014. I would like to thank all the players who together produced such excellent performances in 2013.

  Our audience is growing and the quality of our concerts is certainly one of the reasons for this. I would also like to acknowledge the hard working committee who do so much behind the scenes. Particular thanks are due to Alan Nixon who is now retiring after seven years as Secretary and to Annette Ellis who has been Treasurer for seven years and is continuing in that position. Special mention must also be made of Stephen Frewen-Lord’s continuing role as Concert Master and the tireless efforts of several rehearsal conductors.

  As I am now retiring as President this is my last report. Over the last five years it has been gratifying to see the Barrier Reef Orchestra make considerable progress. In 2009 the orchestra was in the doldrums. It was drawing an audience of 150 or less, had less than $10,000 in cash reserves and performed as an orchestra of about 40 players. In fact the mid year concert in 2009 was cancelled because we simply could not muster the players required for the concert program. We are now drawing a audience of 300 to 400 if not more, have cash reserves around $70,000 and field an orchestra of 60 to 70 players, depending on the program. We have also had a paid manager for several years and our current manager Sally Frewen-Lord has achieved organisational wonders. This transformation has occurred only because of the great effort that has been put in over years by managers, members both playing and non-playing, by committee members and by sponsors, supporters and philanthropists, so it is very much a team effort. I am confident that this enthusiasm and support will continue under Andrew Ryder’s presidency and the orchestra will retain and enhance its position as one of the leading organizations in Townsville’s arts community.

• 2014
  The Barrier Reef Orchestra is in a sound financial position with concert attendance and revenue from tickets up for 2013. The Orchestra performed on six occasions over the last 12 months.

  This included a children’s concert at Riverway featuring music from Harry Potter and Peter and the Wolf. The concert was well received by the audience and the Orchestra got into the mood by dressing up appropriately for their musical characters.

  Masterworks conducted by Mark Sheills and featuring the 2013 Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition winner was performed in September with a follow up performance in the Burdekin. Sadly the Burdekin concert was not well attended despite the best efforts in advertising and extra signage.

  Last Night of the Proms was performed in November and conducted by Richard McIntyre. As expected the audience join in with the antics.

• 2015
  2015 was our 15 year anniversary and featured several concerts that highlighted not only the enhanced quality of musical performance from the orchestra but an increasing recognition from our audience, benefactors and the wider community.
  In May BRO was asked to perform at the Townsville ARTS Awards, a first for the orchestra, with a selection from Frozen, not your standard repertoire but well received by the audience and an indication that the orchestra can is and capable of taking on a diverse range of music. This was to be a feature in the last 12 months.

  August was another first for BRO as were invited to perform at a free public concert as part of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music. Supported by Townsville City Council and featuring other ensembles such as 1RAR band and Camerata of St. John’s string ensemble. The performance culminated in Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture Op.49 with a twist. Involving the audience simulating the cannons with paper bags and car keys…. you had to be there. The audience was in excess of 4000 and proved very popular. So much so we have been invited back for another performance in 2016. Thank you Justin.

  As is often the case rehearsals for the World Music Concert were well under way prior to the AFCM concert. World Music Concert offered a music tour of the world featuring Adam Lopez (Vocalist), Domenico Tarraborrelli on Accordion and David Hudson on digeridoo, vocals and guitar. Audio/Visual was used throughout the concert and several of the arrangements were specifically written for the performance. As it involved 21 pieces of music and extra musicians for 1RAR and further afield, Sally our Orchestra Manager had her work cut out for her and I am pleased to say rose to the challenge. I had the privilege to produce direct and conduct the performance. After the performance which was well received by the audience, given the letters and feedback we received, we had a big exhale at completing such a mammoth task.

  This concert was hired in by Townsville Civic Theatre, another first for BRO. As was our next performance which was a collaboration with Dancenorth in their presentation of a unique work titled Twilight written and directed by Ng Chor Guan an international artist and located on the headlands of Kissing Point. It involved elements of BRO Brass section performing music in response to the environment. With no music written it was up the musicians to play given limited guidelines; certainly a challenge for those of us who are used to using written music. From all reports it was particularly effective.

  Rounding out the year was A Musical Feast in November conducted by Mark Shiell. Mark commented that he thought the orchestra and improved musically since he last worked with the BRO, pleasing feedback from a professional. A potpourri of music that was enjoyed by all.

  2016 was soon upon us commencing with the launch at the Pier restaurant with a performance from the Strings and a last minute addition of soprano Siobhan Patrick, a spell binding performance that I think will lead to further collaborations with her. The launch also allowed me to reinforce our Commitment to TPAC (www.tpac.net.au) while we had the Mayor’s full attention. This continues to be an ongoing concern that requires all of us to push TPAC forward at every opportunity.

  Andrew Ryder

• 2016
  In July 2016 we welcomed Mario Doberning from Melbourne back to conduct Twilight Classics which also featured the 2015 Open Instrumental Winner from the Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition. Pianist, Arthur Athan was a great hit with the audience with his performance of Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No 2. This opportunity to play with a full orchestra is a valued part of the ACVC winner’s prize. The winner of the Open Vocal section is afforded the same opportunity and we will feature the 2016 Vocal winner, Cassandra Wright, who grew up in Cairns in our October concert.

  Immediately after that concert the orchestra was again a major part of the Families Concert for the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Queens’s gardens. This gave the orchestra the opportunity to entertain over 4,000 people, both local and visitors as they enjoyed a delightful afternoon picnicking on the grass. The weather was perfect and Southern visitors could not believe that it was winter. The orchestra had the honour of accompanying two world renowned soloists, violinist Tasmin Little and Soprano, Valda Wilson and the players really rose to the occasion. After music from Vivaldi, Delibes, John Williams, Verdi and local composer, David Salisbury, the concert culminated in Tchaikovsky”s 1812 Overture where keys and paper bags were used in place of cannon fire, even though the 1RAR Band were playing in the concert.

  We had to make late changes to our final concert. Plans to work with Paul Tabone, a vocalist from Ingham, now overseas, fell through when he had a better offer in Europe. We were more than happy with the changes. We welcomed a conductor new to the BRO but it proved a very successful relationship and I am sure we will see him back. Our Conductor, Lieutenant Craig Johnson was then the Commanding Officer and Chief Instructor of the Defence Force School of Music in Melbourne. During the rehearsal period he learned of his re-location for two years to Canberra as the Head of Army Music in Australia. As we had named the concert Barrier Reef Goes to the Opera we were delighted to welcome back Siobhan Patrick who grew up in Townsville. Siobhan is a soprano who has for several years been studying and singing in Vienna. Siobhan was joined by well-known local tenor Alex Thomas and the orchestra accompanied a wide range of numbers from classic opera and excerpts from 20th century stage musical hits. The orchestra accompanied both soloists and added a few music only numbers. To match the opera title many of the audience dressed to suit the scene. We were also delighted to welcome our Patron, Bill Tweddell, Chancellor of James Cook University and has wife, Chris to the concert. Our annual Encouragement Awards for committed young players were awarded during our Christmas celebrations after the concert. The 2016 winners were Elena James and Daniel Harley.

  In 2017 we are trying a new initiative. Instead of having a different conductor for each of our concerts, we contracted a popular previous Conductor, Mark Shiell to conduct our three main concerts. Both the Committee and Mark hoped that this initiative would develop a core player strength. We are maintaining all our previous conductor contacts and we will welcome them back in 2018.

  Unfortunately just this week we have learned that a shoulder problem which has plagued Mark for some time has flared to the stage where he must rest it completely and he has had to withdraw from this concert. He is still hoping to be able to conduct our October concert. Very kindly he has arranged for a colleague, Gyula Cseszko, known as Jules. He is also a protégé of the late, Professor John Hopkins and joins Raymond Yong, Mario Doberning as well as Mark who all studied under John.  Mark Shiell very ably conducted our first concert, Bohemian Classics which featured music by Dvorak, Brahms, Bartok and Enescu. The large audience enjoyed a great night of music and many lingered to eat after the performance. That concert was the occasion on which the orchestra first wore our new Barrier Reef Orchestra ties, made for us by Committee member, Billie Saint-Rang.

• 2017

  Last year the Concert in Queens Gardens again had an audience of over 4,000 families, both local and visitors who had a delightful afternoon picnicking on the grass and enjoying great music. One of the highlights of the afternoon was the presentation of the Keys of the City to the Festival Director Piers Lane who was completing his final festival. As well as their own pieces, Strauss, Rossini and Grainger, the orchestra accompanied visiting Horn player, Martin Owen and vocalists, Cheryl Barker and Peter Coleman-Wright. A great highlight of the afternoon was the orchestra playing the Spirit of Nunawading, composed and conducted by Glenn Rogers who was Music Director of the Army Band here in Townsville. The concert again concluded with the 1812 Overture using keys and paper bags instead of cannons.

  Our August concert saw a late change of Conductor when Mark Shiell developed a shoulder injury and was replaced by Gyula Cseszko known as Jules, a friend and another student of the Late Professor John Hopkins, Jules was a great hit with the orchestra and in one concert developed a great relationship with the audience. The concert was simply Beethoven.  The concert featured Violinist, James Dong, the winner of the Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition Instrumental Section in 2017 playing Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D Major, OP 61. The orchestra in the first half played Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and his Symphony, No 7.

  For our final concert of the year we had Mark Shiell back with us to conduct Evening Serenade, a very special concert featuring the Queensland Premiere of Australian Composer Elena Kats-Chernin’s recent work, Night and Now, which was composed specially for Newcastle flautist, Sally Walker. We were delighted to have Sally as Soloist and Elena here to introduce the work. Sally was thrilled to play with a community orchestra and found the mix of young and older players very stimulating. The orchestra really rose to the occasion and also played music from Greig, Ravel and Khachaturian. The concert featured Brisbane soprano, Cassandra Wright who was the winner of the Australian Concerto and Vocal Competition, Open Vocal Section in 2016. Amongst our players we had something of a record with seven players from two families in the orchestra, four Adcock and three Doherty young ladies. We might have added an extra Adcock had it not been for a sports carnival.

  After this concert, families, friends and the orchestra enjoyed an early Christmas celebration where we presented our Annual Encouragement Awards to two of our dedicated young players, Aidan Fitzgerald (Viola) and Annie Doherty, Horn)

  Our March Concert, English Landscapes was held at Riverway Arts Centre where, because of the venue capacity we performed two concerts, one at 4.30pm and one at 7.30pm. Raymond Yong returned to Townsville as our Conductor and the audience enjoyed a concert of popular English Music from the early 20^th Century by composers such as Walton, Grainger and Elgar. Items ranged from the majestic Crown Imperial March to Arthur Wilkinson’s Beatlecracker Suite where selected orchestra members sang and the audience joined in. These concerts proved very popular with the audience.

  We have had a short break since our last concert but our August Concert, Sacred and Secular is now underway. Unfortunately we have had to change the date of this concert which will now be two concerts on Saturday, 18^th at St James Cathedral in Townsville. We are most grateful to Dean Rod McDonald for the enthusiasm and co-operation he is giving in sharing this wonderful venue with us. This concert will feature the magnificent Cathedral organ in the hands of Justin Ankus. We have already had our Conductor, Lt. Colonel Craig Johnson here this week to do initial rehearsals with the orchestra. Craig is the Head of Army Music in Australia and conducted for us for BRO goes to the Opera in 2016.

  Judy Hunter, President, 27 May, 2018