Getting together to make music again

ALMOST 100 members of The Limestone Coast Symphony Orchestra and its associated chorus kicked off their 2026 program with a combined workshop on January 17.

Orchestra president Hayley Owens said the members hadn’t played together since the Helpmann concert in September.

“It was important to get together early in the new year to provide an outlet for this fantastic enthusiasm that our players and singers have,” Ms Owens said. “Keeping the momentum rolling is so important in community music-making.”

The workshop also provided an opportunity for prospective players and singers to experience what the orchestra has to offer.

“Anybody who is unsure about playing in this format can have a ‘try-out’ in a friendly, supportive environment,” Ms Owens said. “They can get feedback from their section leaders and can chat to a some of the highly credentialled orchestral players in our ranks before deciding whether they are ready to join us come concert-time, so the day was an important step in our recruitment and induction process.”

The format of the day involved separate morning sessions for choir and orchestra.

Choristers met at the Wehl Street Theatre to rehearse with choral director Meg Tucker and accompanist Masae Judd.

Instrumentalists convened at the City Band Hall under conductor Rod Ennis.

Both groups came together for the afternoon session at the Band Hall.

The repertoire consisted of pieces arranged by Rod Ennis.

Rod drew on his experience as a film and theatre arranger and went to his favourite period, the 80s, with selections from Supertramp, Cindy Lauper and Spandau Ballet.

Orchestra manager Jennie Matthews said it was clear from their ‘Hits Re-imagined’ concert in September that audiences and musicians alike absolutely loved the programming of popular, contemporary music.

“We will certainly stay with the now familiar concert of classical music in June,” Ms Matthews said. “That has established a permanent place for itself in the music-scape of our community but in September we hope to present another contemporary music program.

“It appeals to a different audience to the pure classical fans and it gives our players a chance to cut loose with some of the region’s most talented ‘rock and roll’ musos.”

The workshop was made possible with a Regional Arts Fund grant, administered through Country Arts SA