Macquarie Philharmonia

2004 Concert Series

'the inaugural symphonic concert presented by the Macquarie Philharmonia featuring Bathurst

 Chamber Orchestra'

Saturday 19 June 2004 Marbel Hall, St Stanislaus College Bathurst

Sunday 20 June 2004 Prince of Wales Opera Theatre Gulgong

Conductor: Fiona Thompson (Musical Director)

Program:

Greig - Piano Concerto No 2 in A Minor with soloist Michael Clarke

Beethoven - Symphony No 6 'Pastorale'

PRESS RELEASE 9 JUNE 2004 (from Western Advocate, p11)

'Feast of Symphonic Music'

The Macquarie Philharmonia is a fundraising society dedicated to promoting symphonic music in a region stretching from the Blue Mountains to Dubbo.

The fundamental aim of thi society is to provide the financial foundation for and promotion of the formation of a symphonic orchestra, drawing on local professional, student and amateur musicians, to perform regular concerts for local audiences throughout this region.

Already the society has gained the support of State government, local councils, institutions and businesses.

Many individuals have provided enthusiastic support, advice and inspiration.

For the inaugural concerts under the auspices of this new society, the program will include the famous and musch loved Grieg Piano Concerto with soloist Michael Clarke and Beethoven's 'Pastorale', his 6th Symphony.

The musical director for The Macquarie Philharmonia's inaugural concerts is Fiona Thompson.

Fiona is well known in this area as a performer on and teacher of violin and viola, and also director of numerous ensembles, including orchestras.

She is currently director/conductor of The Bathurst Chamber Orchestra and joint director/conductor of The Bathurst Youth Orchestra.

'The Macquarie Philharmonia In Concert' Saturday, June 19, 7:30pm, St Stanislaus, Marble Hall; Sunday, June 20, 2:30pm, The Prince of Wales Opera House, Gulgong. Adult $20, child/concession $12.

Tickets available at the door or in Bathurst tickets from 2BS 'phone 6331 7777 or in Gulgong bookings through Brian Cook 'phone 6374 1614.

PRESS RELEASE 16 JUNE 2004 (from Western Advocate, p14)

'Promoting symphonic music'

Erin Tonkin and Holly Campbell are two of the student musicians that will be involved in the inaugural concerts of the Macquarie Philharmonia this weekend.

The society aims to promote symphonic music in the region by bringing professional, student and amateur musicians together from a variety of lcoal and regional ensembles.

Erin Tonkin is a viola player from Bathurst Chamber Orchestra and has been playing with the orchestra for three years.

"I enjoy playing in the orchestra," Erin said.

"The young people are given a lot of encouragement and we have lots of fun. I have become a better player.

"The best thing about being in the orchestra is doing the concerts! I find it exciting, especially with a full symphony orchestra.

"Hopefully the current concert will encourage young people from everywhere to be involved in the Macquarie Philharmonia.

"Come to the concert. It will be great!"

The current program for this weekend is Grieg Piano Concerto with soloist Michael Clarke and Beethoven's 'Pastorale' symphony, the society has established an ensemble of players from many local and regional music groups.

Holly Campbell has been playing the clarinet for eight years and has been a long-term member of the Bathurst RSL Concert band.

This is the second time that Holly ahs been invited to play in an orchestral environment.

She believes that the Macquarie Philharmonia will provide more opportunities for young musicians to experience alternative musical environments particularly on a larger scale.

"Orchestra is different to any conert band. It's good to play with lots of different instruments, especially the strings," Holly said.

"I think the Macquarie Philharmonia will be inviting to young musicians from around the region who want to play different styles with different people."

This will be Holly's first time playing in a symphony orchestra. "It will be big and Big! It will be good."

Erin, Holly and other members of the orchestra will be conducted by Fiona Thompson, msuical director of the inaugural concerts and well-known in the area as a musician, teacher and ensemble leader.

The Macquarie Philharmonia In Concert, Saturday, 7:30pm, St Stanislaus, Marble Hall; and Sunday, June 20, 2:30pm, The Prince of Wales Opera House, Gulgong.

Adult $20 child/concession $12.

Tickets available at the door or in Bathurst tickets from 2BS 'phone 6331 7777 or in Gulgong bookings through Brian Cook 'phone 6374 1614.

PRESS RELEASE 17 JUNE 2004 (from Western Times, p1) by Susan Taylor

'Dream becoming reality'

The dream of a regional, Bathurst based symphony orchestra is one Fiona Thompson has taken up with gusto.

She is a founding member of the Macquarie Philharmonia Society whose aim is to raise funds to achieve this purpose.

With a five year plan to raise $750,000, for Fiona and other enthusiasts, including Stephanie Camplin who is overseeing the establishment of a foundation and other financial and legal details, it means an incredible amount of hard work and dedication must go into the project to bring it to fruition.

A a foretaste of things to come, this Saturday evening, June 19 at 7:30pm in the marble hall at St Stanislaus' College, sees the inaugural performance of the embryo Macquarie Symphony Orchestra [sic].

"Ultimately we will draw musicians from throughout the Macquarie region but for thus first performance we have about one-third professional musicians and the remainder is made up of top level students from the area.

"It is truly a regional orchestra with musicians from all over including Bathurst, Parkes and Mudgee with several from the Blue Mountains," Ms Thompson said.

Internationally renowned pianist, Michael Clarke, will be the featured soloist using a magnificent Steinway grand paino, a direct legacy of Br Peter Dwyer and his time at Stannies.

Hearing a Steinway backed by a full symphony is an unforgettable experience not given to many concert goers, even among the concert halls of major cities.

Popular and well known composers including Greig and Beethoven have been chosen for both audience appeal and availability of musical scores. Outfitting a symphony orchestra with full scores is an extremely expensive business and good use fo existing assets was essential in this instance.

Ms Thompson is committed to the establishment of the Macquarie Symphony Orchestra [sic] not only for the undoubted cultural benefits it brings to the region, but also for the opportunity it affords young musicians to learn and experience the benefits of working with a group of professional and talented musicians.