Geelong Symphony Orchestra announces 10th-year series

PERHAPS the region’s most prominent classical music group will celebrate a decade of performing in Geelong next year, by inviting the community to attend a special series running throughout 2025.

Geelong Symphony Orchestra (GSO) president Wendy Galloway said the ensemble is excited to undertake its preparations for the new year, with three new compositions lined up next year.

“Everyone who is and was part of the orchestra is really proud of what we have achieved over the years,” Ms Galloway said.

“It’s an achievement for Geelong as well to boast such talented musicians that it has within its own community.

“We’ve continually improved our performances and our calibre year upon year, so to reach 10 years is a big honour for us and we look forward to another 10 years.”

The GSO held its first concert in Costa Hall in 2016 where the orchestra offered a total of 20 programs and has featured the finest music for orchestra each year since.

Ms Galloway states the GSO continues to use local musicians as much as possible, growing the depth of musicianship that Geelong has to offer.

The first program of the 2025 series commences on February 22 in Costa Hall, featuring some of the all-time favourites from the repertoire of orchestral music.

The second half of the performance features Scheherezade, a story based on 1,001 Arabian nights and the beautiful Scheherezade had to entertain the Sultan with a new story every night to stave off her execution.

The music written for these stories by the Russian composer Rimsky Korsakov has enchanted audiences since 1888.

Spectators will also hear from French composer Camille Saint Saens who will lead the fifth piano concerto named The Egyptian. World renowned Russian Pianist Konstantin Shamray will also travel to Geelong for the concert.

Konstantin is trained in the Russian school and has won numerous awards and accolades across the world.

“We’d certainly encourage community members to purchase series tickets so they can lock in a spot to all of the performances next year,” Ms Galloway said.

“Costa Hall is wonderful and spacious venue, seating up to 800 viewers, so we’d love to fill it out for each of the three performances.

“Given the world-class talent we have featuring in each concert, we guarantee three superb nights of world class music that should be heard.”

The 2025 10-year program is outlined as below:

Concert 1: Scheherazade

Date: February 22, 5pm – Featuring Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 5, and Spartacus by Khachaturian.

Concert 2: Tchaikovsky Fantasy

Date: May 31, 3pm – Nutcracker Suite, Rococo Variations, and an 1812 Overture.

Concert 3: Flute & Beethoven Cycle

Date: October 25, 5pm – Finale featuring a world premiere flute concerto by Alex Turley and Beethoven’s Symphonies No. 1 and 8.

Head to gso.org.au to purchase 2025 series tickets today.