On the back of its 50th birthday, the region’s esteemed wind, string, brass and percussion ensemble is moving into an exciting new era.
The Sunshine Coast Symphony Orchestra (SCSO) will kick off this year’s performances with Film Inspiration – The powerful pieces that inspired famous film music, at its new home at The Events Centre, Caloundra.
The concert, held later this month, will feature music that has been used in famous films or has inspired film composers.
Audiences can expect to hear well-known music from cinema masterpieces such as Apocalypse Now, The King’s Speech and Schindler’s List, as well as music that inspired compositions for films such as James Bond’s Moonraker and ET.
Over the past three years the SCSO has more than doubled in both player membership and audience sizes, with many of its concerts selling out early.
SCSO president Simon Eastwood said moving into the venue was necessary to accommodate the bigger audiences the orchestra was now attracting.
“It will also provide an improved visual and audio experience for attendees,” Mr Eastwood said.
“We would like to thank those who have attended our concerts over the last few years … it has been their enthusiastic support that has led to this exciting new chapter.
“One of the SCSO’s missions is to bring high-quality symphonic music to the region and to provide audiences with a professionally presented orchestral experience close to home. The larger performance venue will enable us to offer this experience to more people.”
The first concert for 2023 will also see the orchestra welcome its new conductor, Dr Fletcher Mitchell.
Dr Mitchell was invited to become SCSO’s leader after the retirement of long-time conductor Adrian King at the end of 2022.
Dr Mitchell, who was born in Bundaberg, is a renowned euphonium soloist and has worked around the world as a performer, conductor, adjudicator and music educator in more than 40 countries.
He began playing the baritone aged eight in his musical family’s home. He quickly progressed to the euphonium and played in school and community brass bands.
In 2007, he successfully auditioned for a full-time euphonium position with the Royal Australian Navy Band band, where he served until 2020. He then transferred to the reserve RAN band on a part-time basis to establish himself as a soloist and brass educator.
He is the euphonium lecturer at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, low brass lecturer at the University of Queensland and holds a PhD for his research into Australian repertoire for the solo euphonium.
Related story: Orchestra celebrates half a century of making music
The SCSO is a mix of professional and skilled amateur musicians of all ages. A shared love of playing beautiful and inspiring music unites its members, who include professionals from all walks of life including music teachers, performers, composers, doctors, lawyers, business owners and entrepreneurs.
The SCSO’s 2023 calendar of performances offers concertgoers a mix of music that can be enjoyed by regular listeners as well as those who are new to orchestral music.
Tickets for Film Inspiration – The powerful pieces that inspired famous film music, on March 25 at 7pm, are available from sunshinecoastsymphonyorchestra.com or the Events Centre. Tickets can also be purchased at The Events Centre Box Office on 5491 4240. Full price $49, concession $39, children (2-17 years) $14.
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