Photo Yanni
TWO STRINGS TO THEIR BOW By Melissa Walsh
S
ince 1962, Mornington Peninsula audiences have been enjoying chamber and orchestral music that one might only expect to see in the city. Yet most of us are unaware how or why these high quality concerts came to our part of the world. Peninsula students have also been privy to the annual bursaries, workshops and master classes with world class musicians, provided by the Peninsula Music Society, who have proved they have more than one string to their bow. It all started 55 years ago when a group of music lovers got together and decided to bring concerts to the peninsula with the aim of fostering the appreciation and enjoyment of chamber, vocal, instrumental and orchestral music on the Mornington Peninsula. A committee of about fifteen people was formed with Mr. Max Piggott as president. The aim could, it was decided, be best achieved by the regular presentation of high quality concerts by world-renowned artists, and it is a legacy that has continued over five decades. David Fickling has been president of the Peninsula Music Society for the last 13 years, after living on the peninsula for over 30 years.
E ssence
16 | PENINSULA
April 2017
“I used to go to the concerts of the music society in the same venue we have now although then it was called Findlay Hall at the Mornington Secondary College. These days it is known as Peninsula Community Theatre,” said David, whose partner Janette Forster, shares his love of music and works alongside him as treasurer. “I’ve always loved music, and used to play guitar in a band in high school but when I went to university in Sydney I became more interested in serious music like classical and chamber,” explains David who, among other jobs, has worked as a fighter pilot. Even though Janette and David had not yet met, she too had developed a love chamber and classical music when working as a science teacher in Blackburn. “The school I was teaching at had some very talented music students who performed concerts which I loved. At the same time I had taken up learning piano again from when I was a child. I was inspired by teaching at this school, surrounded by music students and music lessons,” said Janette. “I particularly love the classics continued next page...