Plenty of homegrown musical talent on show

Limestone Coast Symphony Orchestra Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre 2023 event on the horizon

Prior to things really ramping up for the Limestone Coast Symphony Orchestra season, the orchestra’s string section performed at a couple of events, seeing new faces join the orchestra in that string section.

And that is not the only area of the orchestra where new players have found their way to the group over the past couple of years, including adding a harpist in Agnes Sim.

Oliver Hogan and his trumpet have been part of the orchestra for two years now and he is set to be one of then highlights of the June 24 performance, which marks the orchestra’s usual annual event, when he collaborates with Trish and Isaac Bruggemann to perform the trumpet trio the Bugler’s Holiday.

Bassoonist Matt Toffolon, a regular member of the Hamilton Symphony Orchestra, will also be front and centre of the 2023 performance when he takes on a Mozart concerto, 10 years on from when he first featured in a Limestone Coast gala event.

Having the string section play at a couple of prominent public performances has helped keep the Limestone Coast Symphony Orchestra front of mind – they performed at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre as a prelude to the State Opera performance of Love Burns and also had a spot when the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra visited the theatre earlier this year.

The new players those performances enticed into the orchestra ranks will see around 40 players take to the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre stage on June 24, along with 30 choristers.

The program, as always, will be eclectic to broaden its appeal, with baroque, classical and more modern offerings on the program.

Music from Pirates of Penzance will be familiar for many in the audience, while on the soloist front, homegrown soprano Naomi Summers (pictured left) is returning home, for her third Limestone Coast Symphony Orchestra appearance, adding to her 2013 and 2019 performances.

Naomi will headline the performance of Fantasie on Ukrainian Folksongs by Melbourne composer David Cundy.

Orchestra vice president Tiana Scott said things were shaping up well for the 2023 performance. “We are very excited to have Naomi back with us this year,” she said. “Both the orchestra and chorus have been rehearsing once a week since the beginning of May and now we are having more rehearsal time together so we can put everything together.”

The 2023 season is not only a homecoming for Naomi Summers but also former Naracoorte player Ivan Skowronski, who is an Elder Conservatorium graduate, and performed regularly with the orchestra sine 2013, including a turn as a soloist in 2018.

One of his compositions will be on the program – an equine character piece that her wrote when he was a teenager.

The June 24 performance will also feature cellist Tamara Joukouff with Cantabile by Cui.

Angus Christie (pictured below) is still the man in charge with the baton, while Rick Fisher is the chorus conductor, and in good news for those who enjoy the work of the Limestone Coast Symphony Orchestra, they are planning a second season in 2023 around August and September, with Trish Bruggemann in charge.

“We certainly hope this might encourage even more new players to the orchestra,” Tiana said.

Tickets for the June 24 performance are available at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre or through the Limestone Coast Symphony Orchestra website.

LIMESTONE COAST SYMPHONY
ORCHESTRA COMMITTEE: Else Peucker, John Pratt, Helen Drinkell, Sebastien Pratt and Jennie Matthews, Angelica Pietrafesa & Tiana Scott