Determined to stay in tune
The curtain was all but set to raise on the 2021 season of the Limestone Coast Symphony Orchestra but for the second successive season, the popular, locally trained orchestra will not end up centre stage with border restrictions adversely affecting their final rehearsal schedule to the point where the usual high quality performance was just not possible. Orchestra conductor Angus Christie is based in Hamilton and to not have him at their disposal for lead in rehearsals has been a bridge too far. To wind up the 2021 season, a last rehearsal under the baton of deputy conductor Jarrod Harrison will be held with plans to record a video of several songs from the program, including Warrnambool’s Ken Stott’s composition, and then uploading those performances online at the orchestra website. For sisters Angelica and Tiana Pietrafesa it is a disappointing but understandable decision. Both violinists, who started lessons in primary school, and continued plying their craft throughout high school and as part of small ensembles playing ay weddings
and community events, before the opportunity, through their string teacher Jennie Matthews, came to be part of the Limestone Coast Symphony Orchestra. “In year 11, I had the opportunity to be a part of the Limestone Coast Symphony Orchestra in its first year,” Tiana said. “I loved the experience so much, being able to do what I enjoy and meet new people of all ages and talent. I was eager to continue performing in years to come whilst completing my Early Childhood Degree, playing sport and working. Well into my adulthood, I have continued to be a member of the LCSO and want to encourage all younger players, whatever you might play, to join this fantastic experience.” The orchestra was established in 2013. There was a blueprint for a community based symphony orchestra and the Limestone Coast Symphony Orchestra is a merger of that blueprint and its own ideas and skill set. It only took two seasons for its founders to realise the project is an unequivocal success. The blueprint was the Hamilton Symphony Orchestra, which celebrated a
agically m t s u j l l a t .i “.. fell into place...”
decade of entertaining South West Victoria in 2014, and their chief - conductor Angus Christie - has been an integral part of the development of the Limestone Coast incarnation. Long serving local string teacher Jennie Matthews, her husband Tom Dermody and a former student John Pratt, had been exposed to the Hamilton orchestra and the trio was keen to provide a similar opportunity for Limestone Coast musicians. Much like Hamilton, once you leave school, there are limited, if any, outlets to continue your music development and appreciation. The project started to grow legs when a locally based conducting workshop was offered in 2012 and Angus was one of the mentors. “We were short of conductors here,” Jennie Matthews said. “The city band had a conductor at the point of retirement and there wasn’t really anyone else so we saw it as an area of real need.” After that workshop, it was felt a follow up session would be beneficial and Angus, living so close in Hamilton, was the logical choice. Almost in the blink of an eye, that follow up workshop became a push for a Limestone Coast Symphony Orchestra along the lines of the Hamilton version. It would require a school term of commitment, 10 rehearsals, and then a public concert. And it meant securing the right balance
Photos courtesy of Frank Monger
untry people co e lik le op pe y tr un co k in “. .. I th and that’s the way we will fill theatres...” of players to fill the roles every symphony orchestra needs. “I taught in nine different schools right across this region so I had contacts – not many people get under my radar,” Jennie said. “I knew all the string people and we put out an invitation for people interested in being a part of it.” Organisers were overwhelmed by the response. “That first year we had 60 players – they came rolling in, it was amazing,” she said. They were also fortunate that for the most part, they got the balance they needed as well. “You can’t have a symphony with four violinists and hundreds of brass players,” Jennie said. But with 25 string players putting their hands up and the ability to access the Generations in Jazz Academy and Mount Gambier City Band, which provided 15 players for season one alone, things started to fall into place. Add to that, players from Naracoorte, Penola and Millicent, and Jennie’s contacts and the Limestone Symphony Orchestra took shape. “It all just magically fell into place,” Jennie said. The orchestra was also boosted
by some incredible local talent – some that has been here for years and some that has recently arrived for employment reasons. Tom Hart, a teacher at Mount Gambier High School but, arguably more importantly, an Elder Conservatorium trained percussionist. His girlfriend was also a welcome addition to the orchestra. Then there was the homegrown talent – Millicent violinst Cathy Foster – who plied her trade as a youngster under the tutelage of Judy Cooper. She played with the SA Youth Orchestra, completed a Bachelor of Music and was the logical choice for concertmaster. Cellist Robyn Murcott was another orchestral professional adding her expertise to the community orchestra – she played with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and its chamber orchestra, the Camerata of St John’s. And then there was Virginia Weekes, a professional violinist with experience in Sydney Opera House orchestras for opera and ballet, as well as the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Having Angus at the helm was also critical in creating and locking in the performance program and planning the one off concert. “Angus advised a Sunday afternoon concert appeared to work best, as it suited those who would enjoy an orchestral concert and also didn’t clash with sporting commitments,” Jennie said. “He was definitely right.” She admitted, they knew little of theatre expenses and were just relieved they filled the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre – the standing ovation was a bonus, a sign the effort had been worthwhile and a sign the orchestra could well be here to stay. The program mix of baroque and classical favourites and contemporary arrangements
