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Increased Orchestra Victoria Activity Welcomed

Latrobe rings with the sounds of music

By Jeremy Bain - 4th February 2003 - Back to News

Latrobe City’s churches, community centres and theatres will be ringing with the sounds of music in 2003. Orchestra Victoria is rapidly expanding its regional activity within the municipality and Latrobe City is welcoming it with open arms.

Free daytime and evening performances in community venues in Morwell and Traralgon will help to ensure as many people as possible can enjoy the music. One of the performances will even be used as a fundraiser for the Cancer Care Centre at the Latrobe Regional Hospital. And Gippsland’s young aspiring musicians will be able to play alongside the musicians in a special two-day workshop.

Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Tony Hanning, said that Orchestra Victoria’s activities will provide many people with their first introduction to live orchestral music. "These performances will give citizens the opportunity to experience the full sound of a live orchestra. Listening to recorded music, even through the most state-of-the-art theatre sound system, simply can’t compare with the resonance and atmosphere of a live performance. This is music heard at its best," Cr Hanning said.

"We welcome these performances, knowing that Orchestra Victoria is prepared to put in the effort required to work with our community to make a long term contribution. Each year the program of activities in our region will grow. The encouragement the orchestra is already giving to our amateur musicians and young people is marvellous," Cr Hanning added.

Jenny Ginnane, spokesperson for the Latrobe Regional Hospital said that Orchestra Victoria will be bringing a fresh and exciting approach to performing in regional Victoria. "The orchestra’s willingness to consult with us, the people of Gippsland, will help to ensure that it is well supported and becomes a valuable part of our cultural life. As a health promoting hospital we recognise that music enhances the health and wellbeing of our community," Ms Ginnane said.

"Our advisory group is made up of a cross section of the community, all keen to make sure that as many people as possible can benefit from the music that Orchestra Victoria brings. In 2003 Orchestra Victoria will giving free performances in community centres and churches during the day, reaching the elderly and disabled in our community. The evening concert at Kernot Hall will be used to raise money for the newly established Cancer Care Centre at the Latrobe Regional Hospital," she said.

Working with young people is also seen as an important part of Orchestra Victoria’s contribution.

Martin Luders, Musical Director, Latrobe Orchestra, says, "We have planned a two day workshop with the young instrumentalists from the Latrobe Valley and Sale and members of Orchestra Victoria. This will give the music students a unique opportunity to work with professional performers and will be hugely inspirational to students and their teachers. From this activity we plan to establish an ongoing involvement with the Sale and Latrobe Youth Orchestras and bands. Orchestra Victoria will play an important role in its ongoing development and success."

Above all, Orchestra Victoria aims to become integrated into the community life of regional Victoria, sharing music and skills with young and old. Peter Garnick, Managing Director of Orchestra Victoria says, "We are keen that the artistic expertise and wide range of repertoire of the orchestra is enjoyed by as many Victorians as possible. Latrobe City has truly embraced this vision."

Orchestras don’t come cheap so who pays for all this activity? Orchestra Victoria works very hard to attract support from philanthropic trusts and philanthropists. The Helen Macpherson Smith Trust and the Myer Foundation funded the initial activity to Latrobe City and Bendigo in 2002. Both trusts were delighted with the support for the 2002 activities and have increased support for 2003. Building on this success, Orchestra Victoria has attracted support from other trusts, keen to see the arts shared with regional Victorians.

Details of the performances will be provided in the near future. Further information may be obtained from Latrobe City’s Arts Manager, Paul Holton, telephone 1300 367 700.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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