2019 Impact Report - Sydney Symphony Orchestra
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2019 Impact Report
2019
Impact
Report
1
Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2019 Impact Report
“Simone Young and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s
outstanding interpretation captured its distinctive structure
and imaginative folkloric atmosphere. The sumptuous
string sonorities, evocative woodwind calls and polished
brass chords highlighted the young Mahler’s distinctive
orchestral sound-world.”
The Australian, December 2019
Photo: Jay Patel
Mahler’s Das klagende Lied with (L–R) Brett Weymark, Simone Young, Andrew Collis, Steve Davislim, Eleanor Lyons and Michaela Schuster. (Sydney Opera House, December 2019)
Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2019 Impact Report
Table of Contents
2019 at a Glance 06
Critical Acclaim 08
Chair’s Report 10
CEO’s Report 12
2019 Artistic Highlights 14
The Orchestra 18
Farewelling David Robertson 20
Welcome, Simone Young 22
50 Fanfares 24
Sydney Symphony Orchestra Fellowship 28
Building Audiences for Orchestral Music 30
Serving Our State 34
Acknowledging Your Support 38
Business Performance 40
2019 Annual Fund Donors 42
Sponsor Salute 46
Photo: Victor Frankowski
Sydney Symphony Under the Stars. (Parramatta Park, January 2019)
4 5
Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2019 Impact Report
2019 at a Glance 146
Schools
participated in Sydney Symphony
Orchestra education programs
33,000 Students
and Teachers 19,700
Students
234 engaged in Sydney Symphony
$19.5
Orchestra education programs
64%
attended Sydney Symphony
performances Orchestra concerts
Million
in Australia
of revenue
self-generated in box office revenue
3,100
Hours
310,000 of livestream concerts
watched worldwide
Concertgoers
635 Top 10 Livestream 71
new individual donors
80 Countries radio broadcasts
Countries Australia
United Kingdom
United States
Germany
where Sydney Symphony France New Zealand
Orchestra livestreams Japan Canada
16% were viewed
Administrators Italy Spain
759 Jobs 20.1 Million Facebook
Social Media Reach
30%
provided by the 13 Million
Sydney Symphony Orchestra
increased by 28% from 2018
Instagram
of Australian works
YouTube 3.2 Million
performed were written
by female composers 1.5 Million
84% Website
Artists Twitter 2 Million
LinkedIn
425,000
36,000
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Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2019 Annual Report
“The audience was too stunned “The solos and showcasing of orchestral “It is a challenging task to integrate
to applaud after the first sections in Bartók’s Concerto for jazz, swing and blues idioms into
movement’s shocking final bars, Orchestra was a serene way to classical music forms. Wynton
emitting something that sounded savour the Orchestra’s current depth Marsalis is one of the few to succeed.
more like an awed exhalation... of musicianship. Tonal individuality He has a sure grasp of larger-scale
Lamsma, Shelley and the and ensemble virtuosity both structures and knows how to use the
Sydney Symphony Orchestra flowered under disciplined and resources of a symphony orchestra
made a powerful argument... incisive conducting from Robertson.” with ingenuity and imagination...
A superlative performance.” the contributions of the jazz group
and Orchestra were seamlessly
The Sydney Morning Herald, February 2019
integrated and equally inventive.”
Limelight, April 2019
Photo: Christie Brewster
The Australian, February 2019
David Robertson conducts Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra
“Throughout, Wigglesworth built “The Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s strings were
the structure like a Mughal emperor particularly united, warm and vibrant, the winds
and added the details like a impeccable in phrasing and tuning and the brass
Fabergé jeweller. It was one of the section sounded as if it was a vast and carefully
finest Sydney Symphony Orchestra balanced vocal chorus while the percussion section
performances I’ve ever heard.” exhibited its usual excellence.”
Limelight, August 2019 ArtsHub, June 2019
Photo: Daniela Testa
Photo: Tim Skinner
Photo: Jay Patel
Photo: Tim Levy
Simone Lamsma performs Beethoven’s Violin Concerto Mark Wigglesworth conducts Shostakovich’s Symphony No.4 The Sydney Symphony performs Dvořák’s Symphony No.6. Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
8 9
Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2019 Impact Report
of 2021, and that many generous patrons have We also salute our long-time Principal
Chair’s Report
donated their tickets back to us. The Australian Partner, Emirates, whose bedrock support
Government’s JobKeeper program has also is crucial, our Premier Partner, Credit Suisse,
underpinned our ongoing financial viability. whose Credit Suisse Music Education
Program is changing young lives through
I am indebted to our Board of Directors music, Abercrombie & Kent as supporters
Terrey Arcus am whose members provide invaluable of our flagship Abercrombie & Kent Masters
perspectives and informed business counsel Series, and the many corporate sponsors,
on the complexities we face. The Board trusts and foundations, philanthropists,
strives to manage and preserve the artistic, subscribers and patrons whose financial
cultural and financial sustainability of our support underpins our sustainability.
superb Orchestra in these challenging times.
During 2019, the Sydney Symphony During 2019, we welcomed Geoff Ainsworth
Orchestra closed out one important artistic and Geoff Wilson to the Board and farewelled The transformation required of
era and looked ahead to an exciting future. David Livingstone, who served with distinction the Sydney Symphony Orchestra
during his nine-year term. Our shared efforts over the next two years will
throughout the year included successfully
completing a comprehensive Governance not be possible without your
After six years as Chief Conductor and Artistic We finalised our dislocation plans for the
Director, we farewelled David Robertson duration of the Sydney Opera House Trust’s review by our Tripartite funders in preparation continued commitment to
at the same time as our performance venue, two-year Renewal Project for the Concert Hall. for dislocation. ensuring that the Orchestra
the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, In partnership with the Lord Mayor of Sydney, With many of our preparatory investments remains strong and vibrant.
closed for two years of acoustic renovations. Cllr. Clover Moore, we finalised a landmark behind us in 2018, our financial operating
We salute the NSW Government for its agreement with the City of Sydney to return results for 2019 improved significantly, We are especially grateful to hundreds
substantial investment in renewing the to our historic home at Sydney Town Hall for delivering a 1% shortfall on operating revenues of donors who increased their giving in
Sydney Opera House for its 50th anniversary the 2020 and 2021 seasons. We are indebted of $42 million. Notable was the increase 2019 and to the many ticket holders who
in 2023 and look forward to returning to an to the Lord Mayor for her leadership in of philanthropic support by 28% including chose to become donors for the first time.
acoustically superior Concert Hall in 2022. ensuring our access to the acoustically superb generous new support from trusts and These generous gestures represent a vote
Town Hall, which was our major home from foundations. We are focused on managing of confidence in the Sydney Symphony’s
David led artistic programs with distinction 1932 up to the opening of the Sydney Opera
throughout his farewell season, including risk prudently as we navigate the difficult vibrant future. Thank you for being with
House. As we presented special concerts waters of being absent from our performance us on this journey, and we look forward to
the Australian premiere of Wynton Marsalis’ there in August, we were delighted that
The Jungle – Symphony No. 4 with the venue for the next two years. welcoming you to Sydney Town Hall in 2020.
many patrons shared their fond memories of
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, performances attending concerts there in earlier decades. Our efforts this year and every year are made
of Mozart with piano superstar Lang Lang, possible through the enduring assistance
and spectacular opera-in-concert performances We continued to work with the NSW provided under our Tripartite Agreement
of Benjamin Britten’s Peter Grimes. David’s Government and Sydney Opera House with the Australian Government through the
tenure has been marked by his adventurous Trust to address the implications of the Australia Council for the Arts and the New Terrey Arcus am
programming and we thank him for expanding Renewal Project through to our return to South Wales Government through Create Chair
our musical horizons while fashioning himself the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall in NSW. On behalf of the Board and the entire
into a quintessential Sydneysider along the way. 2022. In October 2018, the NSW Government company, I thank our government funders
gave the Orchestra an assurance that it for sustaining their ongoing investment,
2019 also saw our much-loved Conductor would provide financial support during the
Laureate, Vladimir Ashkenazy, step back particularly during these challenging times.
period of the Renewal Project, subject to
from public appearances. He celebrated the establishment of a Work Group whose
his 50th anniversary with our Orchestra purpose was to identify options for the NSW 2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
with unforgettable performances of Elgar, Government and the Company to address
Prokofiev and Holst before retiring from the financial implications arising for the
performance at the age of 82. We are Orchestra from the undertaking of the project.
indebted to him for five decades of
superlative music-making in Australia and This work was concluded in 2019 and the
wish him the very best in his retirement. NSW Government confirmed a funding
commitment to be provided over the two
2019 brought the exciting appointment of years of our dislocation (2020 and 2021). Terrey Arcus am Geoff Ainsworth am Andrew Baxter Kees Boersma Ewen Crouch am Emma Dunch
Simone Young as our next Chief Conductor We are grateful for this commitment and
after a two-year international search. We are continue to work through the arrangements
excited by her artistic vision and desire to with the Government.
showcase “the best of Australia and the best
of the world” during her tenure, which begins We have now also had to face the outbreak
in 2022. We are confident that Simone and our of COVID-19. With performances cancelled
dynamic CEO, Emma Dunch, will realise their or deferred, the Board is very grateful that
ambitions for our Orchestra with great success the staff and the orchestra have agreed to
Catherine Hewgill David Livingstone The Hon. Justice Karen Moses Dr. John Vallance Geoff Wilson
in the years to come. reduced hours and salaries through the end Retired May 2019 AJ Meagher
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Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2019 Impact Report
CEO’s Report
Emma Dunch
Photo supplied by the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet
The announcement of Simone Young,
who becomes our Chief Conductor on our
return to the Sydney Opera House in 2022,
marks a watershed moment for Australia.
Sydney born and bred, Simone Young During 2019, we worked hard offstage
has lived overseas for most of her career, to finalise our plans for use of the Sydney NSW Premier’s Australia Day Live! First Nations artists and the Sydney Symphony. (Sydney Opera House Forecourt, January 2019)
where she is in great demand across the Town Hall while the Concert Hall is being
concert halls and opera stages of Europe renovated. The expenses associated with
and North America. She is an extraordinary displacement from the Concert Hall for two
conductor and a great Australian whose years are significant and we have remained
international reputation as one of the finest in discussions with the NSW Government
conductors working anywhere in the world and Sydney Opera House Trust to ensure
today is hard-earned and richly deserved. that we can afford this dislocation and return
once the project is complete.
Simone made her Sydney Symphony debut
in 1996 and, during the intervening 23 years, Looking ahead, we proceed with the
she has developed superior artistic rapport optimism that our venue dislocation
and great interpersonal chemistry with also presents us with a once-in-a-lifetime
the musicians of the Sydney Symphony – opportunity to reimagine ourselves.
many of whom she has known for decades. This does not signify any diminution in
To watch Simone and the Orchestra in our artistic excellence, which is at its
rehearsal is to witness artists completely strongest level in many years and represents
united in their vision to serve the composer a high bar that we only intend to surpass.
and deliver performances at the highest levels
Photo: Jay Patel
of international excellence. Simone and I salute our Sydney Symphony Orchestra
the Orchestra’s capstone 2019 performances musicians and staff who are partners in
of Mahler’s Das klagende Lied to close the this work, along with our Board of Directors, Sydney Symphony Vanguard with Christopher Pidcock, Sydney Symphony Cello. (Work-Shop, August 2019)
Sydney Opera House Concert Hall season – the Australian Government through the
livestreamed to the world – were spine-tingling Australia Council for the Arts, the NSW
and unforgettable; an indication of the artistic Government through Create NSW,
excitement to come! our corporate partners, philanthropic
supporters and our audiences.
2019 was also the year that we announced
one of the largest commissioning projects Thank you very much for your continued
in Australian music history: 50 Fanfares. support, and we warmly invite you
This massive effort to commission 50 new to join us on the journey ahead –
works from emerging and established a journey that is also an opportunity
Australian composers for the reopening for continuous innovation.
of the Concert Hall in 2022 will refresh Above all, let the music continue.
and reinvigorate the Australian orchestral
repertoire for the next decade. Funded
entirely through philanthropic giving,
Photo: Christie Brewster
we are indebted to the visionary donors
underwriting the new works, as well
Emma Dunch
as the more than 100 members of the
CEO
national nominations panel who provided
their recommendations for commissions. Breakfast at Tiffany’s Live in Concert. (Sydney Opera House, May 2019)
12 13
Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2019 Impact Report
2019 Artistic The Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s
2019 Season was marked by both
fond farewells and new beginnings.
Highlights
We celebrated the contributions of our Conductor Laureate Vladimir Ashkenazy
outgoing Chief Conductor and Artistic gave what would be his final concerts
Director, David Robertson, finalised our on the Sydney Symphony’s podium,
plans to relocate to Sydney Town Hall with electrifying performances of Elgar,
while the Sydney Opera House Concert Vaughan Williams, Medtner and Holst.
Hall is renovated, welcomed highly-sought Mr Ashkenazy, one of our best-loved
international musicians to Principal Chairs, and most distinguished collaborators,
and announced Simone Young as our new subsequently announced his departure
Chief Conductor. from the world stage in January 2020.
We wish him and Mrs Ashkenazy a long
The season opened in February, with concerts and enjoyable retirement.
featuring Principal Oboe Diana Doherty
performing Australian composer Nigel Principal Guest Conductor Donald Runnicles
Westlake’s oboe concerto, Spirit of the Wild, continued his acclaimed multi-year artistic
alongside Percy Grainger’s The Warriors cycle, Music of Inspiration, with programs
and Richard Strauss’ Thus Spake Zarathustra. of Bruckner, Fauré, Strauss and Messiaen.
Also in February, we presented Wynton His performances were enriched by the
Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center voices of international soprano Erin Wall,
Orchestra for performances of Marsalis’ Australian baritone Samuel Dundas,
own work The Jungle. The Jazz at Lincoln and the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs.
Center Orchestra also performed a standalone
evening of the music of Count Basie and The Sydney Symphony’s extraordinary
Duke Ellington – rapturously received by musicians featured strongly across the season,
a sold-out hall. with solo performances by Concertmaster
Andrew Haveron, Principal Bassoon
In July, David Robertson conducted concert Todd Gibson-Cornish, and concertante
performances of Britten’s opera, Peter Grimes. performances by David Papp, Francesco
An outstanding Australian cast was led by Celata, Fiona McNamara and Euan Harvey.
Stuart Skelton, who gave a definitive rendition In the Utzon Room of the Sydney Opera
of the title role. Other notable cast members House, our musicians gave chamber music
included Elizabeth Campbell, Deborah recitals throughout the year. The cello section
Humble, Jud Arthur, and American bass- featured in the Orchestra’s Tea & Symphony
baritone Alan Held. International superstar series, giving a bravura performance of
Lang Lang joined us for performances of repertoire for cello ensemble. And we
Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.24, and another celebrated the 40th Anniversary of our
world-renowned favourite soloist, Susan Associate Principal Trumpet Paul Goodchild’s
Graham, sang Canteloube’s Songs of the appointment to the Orchestra with concerts
Auvergne, also conducted by David Robertson. for which he was the featured soloist.
The Orchestra performed its two-week As well, we concluded international audition
Keys to the City festival, a venue-activating processes and appointed Joshua Batty (UK)
project for our audience to experience as Principal Flute and Alexander Morris (AUS)
the superb acoustics of the Sydney as Principal Bass Clarinet. We farewelled
Town Hall. Pianist Kirill Gerstein made his Louise Johnson as Principal Harp after a
Sydney Symphony debut performing 50-year career and Stan Kornel as Second
concertos by Grieg, Ravel, and Gershwin. Violin after a 35-year career.
In his farewell concerts in November, Outstanding international artist debuts in
David Robertson conducted a stunning the season included conductors Elim Chan,
performance of Messiaen’s Turangalîla- Jaime Martín, Alexander Shelley, Andrey
Symphonie, followed by an American Boreyko and Xian Zhang; pianists Alexei
program featuring works by Aaron Copland, Volodin and Alessio Bax; and violinists
Christopher Rouse and John Adams. Simone Lamsma and Nemanja Radulovic.
Photo: Daniela Testa
14 Music of the Oud with Joseph Tawadros. (Sydney Opera House, June 2019) 15
Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2019 Impact Report
The Sydney Symphony was proud to Sydney Symphony Orchestra Presents
showcase important Australian keyboard continued to develop new audiences,
artists in our International Pianists in Recital presenting the following Films In Concert
series: Geoffrey Lancaster, who gave Casino Royale, Skyfall, Harry Potter and
a captivating Mozart recital on fortepianos, the Order of the Phoenixtm, Breakfast at
and contemporary music specialist Lisa Moore. Tiffany’s, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi,
and Star Wars: The Force Awakens screened
Australian music by living composers
Photo: Robert Catto
live in concert with full symphony orchestra
featured in the season included pieces to delighted audiences. These concerts,
by Nigel Westlake, Joseph Tawadros, together with fun foyer activations and
Ella Macens, Peggy Polias, Josephine ample fan participation, have become Christmas at the Coliseum: David Campbell and the Sydney Symphony. (Sydney Coliseum Theatre, West HQ, December 2019)
Macken, James Ledger and Richard Mills. a mainstay of the Orchestra’s activity.
We continued our effort to supplement At the top of the year, our free annual
our existing collection of fine antique Parramatta Park concert, Sydney Symphony
stringed instruments for use by our musicians. Under the Stars, played to an audience
We collaborated with philanthropists to of 15,000 people, picnicking in the summer
secure a 1730 Grancino violin and a 1790 twilight and taking in a program of popular
Amati viola to enhance our upper string sound. orchestral classics. 2019 also saw the
Sydney Symphony give the gala opening
We toured regionally with the outstanding
performances at the city’s first new performing
Slava Grigoryan as featured soloist, and took
arts facility in many years, the Sydney
numerous additional concerts to regional NSW.
Coliseum Theatre, West HQ. Our brass
The very young Australian virtuoso violinist, section provided fanfares for the launch of
Christian Li, made his Sydney Symphony the venue and we rounded out our year by
debut in November. We were delighted to performing in Christmas concerts with singer
showcase his talents playing Vivaldi in our David Campbell. The Sydney Symphony is
Family Concert series. The roster of Australian proud to be an anchor tenant of this exciting
Photo: Tim Skinner
artists featured in our season was extensive new venue, presenting a wide range of
and reflected the breadth of Australian artistry concert projects there in 2020 and beyond.
currently available. In addition to projects Sydney Symphony and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. (Sydney Opera House, February 2019)
This season also was a harbinger of the
already mentioned, the Orchestra worked
orchestra’s bright future. Simone Young
with conductors Benjamin Northey and
returned to Sydney to conduct the Orchestra
Jessica Cottis, beloved sopranos Emma
in two artistic highlight programs of rarely
Matthews and Penelope Mills, tenor Steve
performed works: Liszt’s Dante Symphony,
Davislim, bass-baritone Andrew Collis, and
and Mahler’s Das klagende Lied, livestreamed
organists David Drury and Joseph Nolan.
globally. Both programs saw the Orchestra
In the Sydney Symphony’s Kaleidoscope reach new levels of insight and potency.
series, a focus on world music traditions A strong advocate for these unusual works,
brought three interesting projects to Simone inspired audiences to discover them in
the stage. Conductor Elim Chan and our Meet the Music series alongside repertoire
Peking opera soprano Meng Meng by Australian composer James Ledger,
performed a program to celebrate the and in our Masters series, for which the
Lunar New Year. Oud virtuoso Joseph Mahler work was the culminating moment.
Tawadros performed his own concerto
Having closed the season with our final
and other repertoire. Both projects were
Photo: Andrew Taylor
subscription concerts in the Sydney Opera
livestreamed globallyto international
House Concert Hall, Simone was announced
audiences. And our virtuoso concertmaster
as the Orchestra’s next Chief Conductor,
Andrew Haveron performed Vivaldi’s The
her tenure to begin in 2022.
Four Seasons with a tango twist, alongside State Memorial Service for the late Hon. Bob Hawke ac, Prime Minister of Australia (1983-1991). (Sydney Opera House, June 2019)
Piazzolla’s The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires.
16 17
Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2019 Impact Report
PATRON CELLOS
The Orchestra Her Excellency the Stuart Johnson Justine Marsden Felicity Tsai Amanda Verner Leonid Volovelsky Umberto Clerici
Honourable Margaret Principal
Beazley ac qc
Governor of NSW
CONDUCTORS CONCERTMASTER FIRST VIOLINS
Catherine Hewgill Leah Lynn Kristy Conrau Fenella Gill Timothy Nankervis Elizabeth Neville
Principal Acting Associate Principal
DOUBLE BASSES
Andrew Haveron Harry Bennetts Sun Yi Kirsten Williams Lerida Delbridge
Concertmaster Associate Concertmaster Associate Concertmaster Associate Concertmaster Assistant Concertmaster
Supported by Vicki Olsson Emeritus
Christopher Pidcock Adrian Wallis David Wickham Kees Boersma Alex Henery David Campbell
David Robertson
Principal Principal
The Lowy Chair of
Chief Conductor
HARP FLUTES
and Artistic Director
Fiona Ziegler Jenny Booth Brielle Clapson Sophie Cole Claire Herrick
Assistant Concertmaster
Steven Larson Richard Lynn Jaan Pallandi Benjamin Ward Louise Johnson Joshua Batty
Principal Principal
OBOES COR ANGLAIS
Georges Lentz Nicola Lewis Emily Long Alexandra Mitchell Alexander Norton
SECOND VIOLINS
Donald Runnicles
Principal Emma Sholl Carolyn Harris Diana Doherty Shefali Pryor David Papp Alexandre Oguey
Guest Conductor Associate Principal Principal Associate Principal Principal
Anna Skálová Léone Ziegler Kirsty Hilton Marina Marsden Marianne Edwards CLARINETS BASS CLARINET BASSOONS
Principal Principal Associate Principal
Francesco Celata Christopher Tingay Alexander Morris Todd Gibson-Cornish Matthew Wilkie Fiona McNamara
Acting Principal Principal Principal Principal Emeritus
Emma Jezek Alice Bartsch Victoria Bihun Rebecca Gill Emma Hayes
Assistant Principal CONTRABASSOON HORNS
Vladimir Ashkenazy
Conductor Laureate
Noriko Shimada Ben Jacks Geoffrey O’Reilly Euan Harvey Marnie Sebire Rachel Silver
Principal Principal Principal 3rd
Shuti Huang Monique Irik Wendy Kong Stan W Kornel Benjamin Li
TRUMPETS TROMBONES
VIOLAS
David Elton Paul Goodchild Anthony Heinrichs Ronald Prussing Scott Kinmont Nick Byrne
Nicole Masters Maja Verunica Roger Benedict Tobias Breider Anne Louise Comerford
Principal Associate Principal Principal Associate Principal
Principal Principal Associate Principal
BASS TROMBONE TUBA TIMPANI PERCUSSION
Justin Williams Sandro Costantino Rosemary Curtin Jane Hazelwood Graham Hennings Christopher Harris Steve Rossé Mark Robinson Rebecca Lagos Timothy Constable
Acting Associate Principal Principal Principal Acting Principal Principal
18 19Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2019 Impact Report
Farewelling “Over the course of his
tenure, Robertson has
proved a charismatic musical
David Robertson communicator. His penchant
for intelligently weaving
more challenging 20th and
21st-century music into
programs alongside canonic
“Robertson has invigorated Sydney’s musical life with
repertoire has extended
expert performances of new works, fresh perspectives both the orchestra and,
on old ones and engaging musical enthusiasm. I’m sure, its audience.”
It has been a hugely positive period for our Orchestra Limelight, November 2019
and has laid propitious foundations for future growth.”
The Sydney Morning Herald, December 2019
2019 saw the culmination of David Robertson’s Our opera-in-concert performances of
six-year tenure as Chief Conductor and Britten’s Peter Grimes proved an artistic
Artistic Director. He opened the season highlight of the year. This project starred
with gala performances featuring Principal Stuart Skelton – a world-renowned interpreter
Oboe Diana Doherty playing Westlake’s of the title role – and an acclaimed cast
Spirit of the Wild alongside Grainger’s of Australian and international singers.
The Warriors and Richard Strauss’ Thus Spake
Zarathustra. A return appearance by the In his final tour period, David conducted
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra saw programs of Messiaen’s mighty Turangalîla-
David conduct the Australian premiere of Symphonie and John Adams’ equally
Wynton Marsalis’ new work The Jungle – epic Harmonielehre – two showcase works
Symphony No.4. He conducted the which illustrated the excellent standard
Australian premiere of Steve Reich’s Music of the Orchestra.
for Ensemble and Orchestra, a Sydney David’s tenure as artistic leader of the
Symphony co-commission conceived to Sydney Symphony will be remembered
highlight the artistic strengthsof the ensemble. for his adventurous programming choices.
Later in the year, David collaborated These provided opportunities for
with superstar pianist Lang Lang, contemporary music, both Australian
performing Mozart, Schubert and Berio. and international, in our mainstage
Frequent collaborator Susan Graham subscription series, and in new locations
travelled to Sydney specially to sing such as Carriageworks at Redfern.
Canteloube’s Songs of the Auvergne as The Orchestra made a major tour to
part of his farewell season, a program Europe as well as a regular touring
which also included Chabrier’s España presence in China. His performances of
and Saint-Saëns’ Organ Symphony. opera-in-concert (The Flying Dutchman,
Elektra, Porgy and Bess as well as
Throughout the season, David shone Peter Grimes) were acclaimed for their
the spotlight on members of the Orchestra musical excellence, and for their innovative
as soloists and concertante performers. presentations, working with local arts
In addition to Diana Doherty’s performance at companies and international visual artists –
the 2019 season opening gala, he conducted a programming approach symbolic of the
the Australian premiere of Christopher Orchestra’s international and domestic focus.
Rouse’s Bassoon Concerto, featuring Principal
Bassoon Todd Gibson-Cornish as soloist.
Works which gave virtuosic opportunities
Photo: Jay Patel
to the Orchestra as a whole included
Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra, Varèse’s David Robertson, Chief Conductor and Artistic Director. (Sydney Opera House, November 2019)
Amériques, and Janáček’s Taras Bulba.
20 21Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2019 Impact Report
Welcome,
Simone Young
23 years after her Sydney Symphony Orchestra
debut, internationally renowned Australian conductor
Simone Young was announced as the Orchestra’s
Chief Conductor from 2022.
Simone Young was in Australia to conduct As Chief Conductor, Simone will travel
performances in her current, multi-year to Australia a number of times every year
artistic cycle with the Orchestra, Visions of to conduct festivals to open and close each
Vienna – which included a global livestream subscription season, along with a mid-year
of Mahler’s Das klagende Lied, the Orchestra’s festival to announce the following year’s
final performance in the Sydney Opera programming. She will also continue
House Concert Hall before its closure for her busy international guest conducting
a two-year acoustic renovation. career with orchestras and in opera houses
across Europe and the United States.
Based in Europe, Simone is one of the
world’s leading interpreters of symphonic Simone is the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s
and operatic repertoire, collaborating 13th Chief Conductor, succeeding David
frequently with the Wiener Staatsoper, Robertson and Vladimir Ashkenazy,
the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin, and the third Australian to hold the title,
the Bavarian State Opera, Munich, following Stuart Challender (1987–91)
and the Zurich Opera, and orchestras and Sir Charles Mackerras (1982–85).
including the Vienna Philharmonic,
L’Orchestre de Paris, Oslo Philharmonic,
New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles
Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, “I am thrilled to take up this
and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. role with the Sydney Symphony
She is currently Principal Guest Conductor of Orchestra. As an orchestra,
the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra, Switzerland it is amongst the world’s finest.
and from 2005–2015, was General Manager
and Artistic Director of the Hamburg State Since my first appearances
Opera and Music Director of the Hamburg with the Sydney Symphony
Philharmonic State Orchestra. 23 years ago, I have witnessed
Simone was born and raised in Sydney its extraordinary artistic growth.
and has enjoyed a long and productive It’s a virtuosic ensemble
relationship with the musicians of the
Sydney Symphony across the decades.
and it is an orchestra of which
They voted unanimously to appoint her every Australian can be proud.”
and are excited at the prospect of her arrival, Simone Young
which coincides with the Orchestra’s return to
its Sydney Opera House Concert Hall home
after renovations. Simone is enthusiastic about
the potential of the renewed venue: “This is
an orchestra of international class,”she told
The Australian upon her appointment. “For it
to get an acoustic home that is also one of the
best in the world is incredibly exciting.”
Photo: Nic Walker
22 Simone Young 23Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2019 Impact Report
50 Fanfares
A landmark commissioning project:
50 new Australian compositions by 2022.
“No dead white men: Sydney Symphony
backs new breed of composer.”
Australian Financial Review, February 2020
Front row (left to right):James Henry, Louisa Trewartha, Brenda Gifford, Connor d’Netto, Georgia Scott, Liza Lim, Bree van Reyk, Chloé Charody, Carl Vine
Photo: Jay Patel
Second row (left to right): Andrew Haveron, Rosemary Curtin, Raff Wilson, Emma Dunch, Jessica Wells, Paul Stanhope, Paul-Antoni Bonetti, Peggy Polias,
24 Harry Sdraulig, Alice Chance, Matthew Hindson, Andrew Howes, Lyle Chan, Christopher Sainsbury, Natalie Nicolas, Andrew Aronowicz, Kees Boersma 25Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2019 Impact Report
50 FANFARES COMPOSERS
Years of planning came to fruition as we
announced 50 Fanfares, a major project which
will see the Sydney Symphony Orchestra
commission and present the world premieres Katy Abbott (VIC) Andrew Aronowicz (VIC) Michael Bakrnčev (VIC) William Barton (QLD) Paul-Antoni Bonetti (SA) Lyle Chan (NSW)
of new music by 50 Australian composers.
The project has been carefully designed “Australia’s composers and Alice Chance (NSW) Chloé Charody (NSW) Deborah Cheetham (VIC) Connor d’Netto (QLD) Melody Eötvös (VIC) Mary Finsterer (TAS)
to represent a broad range of Australian musicians play an essential role
voices and styles. The 50 composers were
selected after a year-long vetting process in giving our nation a musical
based on recommendations from a national voice and affirming Australia’s
nominations panel of over 100 musicians, creative position in the world.
composers, artists, educators and cultural
industry leaders across Australia.
Each of the 50 composers – William Gardiner (SA) Brenda Gifford (NSW) Iain Grandage (WA) Maria Grenfell (TAS) Gordon Hamilton (NSW) Holly Harrison (NSW)
emerging, established and from
The 50 Fanfares project marks a large-scale
institutional commitment to Australia’s
across many musical styles
composers and is designed to serve the and art forms – is proof of the
wider orchestral sector at home and abroad. exceptional talent that we have
Commissions vary from short fanfares in this country. Collectively, James Henry (VIC) Matthew Hindson (NSW) Mark Holdsworth (WA) Andrew Howes (NSW) Annie Hui-Hsin Hsieh (VIC) Elena Kats-Chernin (NSW)
and chamber works to longer compositions these composers are important
for full symphony orchestra. One of the key voices shaping our musical life,
goals of the project is to make contemporary
Australian music as widely available as
now and in the future.”
possible, both here and overseas. Aside Emma Dunch, CEO
David John Lang (SA) Liza Lim (NSW) Ella Macens (NSW) Cathy Milliken (SA) Jordan Moore (WA) Kate Moore (ACT)
from music designed for professional
orchestras, we have deliberately structured
commissions so that many of the works will GENDER
be suitable for performance by community
ensembles, such as youth orchestras, amateur 50% Male 50% Female
orchestras, school orchestras, brass bands
or university ensembles. We are determined Natalie Nicolas (NSW) Kate Neal (VIC) Peggy Polias (NSW) Christopher Sainsbury (NSW) Georgia Scott (NSW) Harry Sdraulig (NSW)
that 50 Fanfares will enrich the Australian AGE
repertoire and that the works we commission
20 – 29
will receive many subsequent performances
by other ensembles around the world. 30 – 39
40 – 49
50 Fanfares commissions will be progressively
performed over 2020, 2021, and 2022, 50 – 59 Lachlan Skipworth (WA) Paul Stanhope (NSW) Luke Styles (NSW) Joseph Tawadros (NSW) Louisa Trewartha (VIC) Alex Turley (WA)
and reach a broad audience by being 60 – 69
included in mainstage concerts, regional
tours and in school education programs. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
The project will culminate in 2022 when CULTURAL DIVERSITY
10%
we return to our home at the Sydney First Nations, Aboriginal
Joseph Twist (QLD) Bree van Reyk (NSW) Carl Vine (NSW) Jessica Wells (NSW) Natalie Williams (SA) Elizabeth Younan (NSW)
Opera House Concert Hall. We also plan or Torres Strait Islander
to record and release all 50 commissions 40%
Culturally and
and partner with an international music Linguistically
publisher to publish the orchestral scores Diverse (CALD)
for international performances.
50%
Australian / Non-CALD Miriama Young (VIC) Julian Yu (VIC)
26 27Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2019 Impact Report
2019 FELLOWS (L-R)
2019 Fellowship
Tobias Aan (ACT)
violin
David Johnson (NSW)
trumpet
Program
David Barlow (NSW)
double bass
Beth Condon (VIC)
viola
Jessica Oddie (NZ)
violin
Eve Osborn (NSW)
oboe
In 2019, we invited 12 of the brightest emerging Adam Cooper-Stanbury (ACT)
percussion
talents from Australia and New Zealand to Dale Vail (NZ)
spend the year in our internationally acclaimed trombone
James Julian (NSW)
orchestral performance training program, clarinet
directed by Sydney Symphony Principal Viola, Eliza Sdraulig (VIC)
cello
Roger Benedict. Jordy Meulenbroeks (QLD)
bassoon
Aidan Gabriels (WA)
horn
with
Roger Benedict
Sydney Symphony
Principal Viola
The Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s During 2019, several present and past Artistic Director,
Fellowship program will celebrate its Fellows capitalised on their Fellowship Fellowship Program
20th anniversary in 2021. Program alumni training to win permanent orchestral
hold leadership positions across all of the positions. Justin Sun (2015–16) was
Australian and New Zealand orchestras, appointed Principal Bassoon for Aarhus
as well as overseas, where alumni Symfoniorkester in Denmark, John Keene
perform in the Royal Concertgebouw (2015–16) was appointed Associate
Orchestra,Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Principal Double Bass for Western Australia
Bayerischer Rundfunk, Camerata Salzburg, Symphony Orchestra, Owen Morris (2015)
Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra, was appointed Principal Trumpet for
and Southbank Sinfonia, among others. the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and
Twelve program alumni have gone is now on trial for Principal Trumpet for
on to win auditions and join the the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra,
Sydney Symphony in permanent roles. Jenna Smith (2017–18) is currently on
trial for Associate Principal Trumpet at
The 2019 Fellows gained invaluable West Australian Symphony Orchestra
professional opportunities, including and Joshua Oates (2016–17) is currently
working with Chief Conductor and on trial for Principal Oboe at the Adelaide
Artistic Director David Robertson; Symphony Orchestra. Congratulations to all!
they received professional mentoring
and lessons from Sydney Symphony
musicians and participated in masterclasses “The Sydney Symphony
with renowned violinists Vadim Gluzman Orchestra offers Fellows
and Grammy Award winner James Ehnes.
a year of enormous growth.
The Fellows built their experience I’m leaving the Fellowship
as chamber musicians by preparing
and performing concerts for the
incredibly excited about the
general public. They also developed future, with all the knowledge
community engagement and presenting I’ve gained, and a newfound
skills, joining the Sydney Symphony’s trust in myself developed
regional NSW tours to Port Macquarie,
Taree and Newcastle. from all I’ve experienced.”
Jessica Oddie, 2019 Violin Fellow
Photo: Anthony Geernaert
28 29Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2019 Impact Report
Building Audiences LIVE WATCHING LIVESTREAMING
for Orchestral Music
PARTIES COUNTRIES
USA: Bloomington, Albania, Algeria,
Burlington, Fullerton, Argentina, Australia,
Hartford, Long Beach, Austria, Azerbaijian,
Macon, Mashantucket, Belgium, Brazil,
Milwaukee, Montclair, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile,
Nashville, Rochester, China, Columbia, Czech
Salem, San Jose, Republic, Denmark,
Seattle, Torrington, Egypt, Estonia, Fiji,
We expanded our global livestreams in 2019 and added Los Angeles Finland, France,
Georgia, Germany,
UK: Devon
live watching parties in the UK and USA. Audiences Greece, Hong Kong,
Hungary, Iceland,
in 80 countries tuned in for powerful performances from India, Indonesia,
Iraq, Ireland, Israel,
Australia’s flagship symphony orchestra, proving that Italy, Japan, Jordan,
Kazakhstan, Kenya,
great music performed with international excellence is Republic of Korea,
Kuwait, Lebanon,
a universal language. Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,
Luxembourg,
Malaysia, Malta,
Mayotte, Montenegro,
Myanmar, Netherland,
New Caledonia,
New Zealand, Norway,
Palau, Paraguay, Peru,
Philippines, Poland,
Portugal, Puerto Rico,
Réunion, Romania,
Russian Federation,
Saudi Arabia, Serbia,
Singapore, Slovakia,
South Africa, Spain,
Sri Lanka, Sweden,
Switzerland, Taiwan,
Thailand, Turkey,
Ukraine,
United Arab Emirates,
United Kingdom,
United States,
Venezuela, Vietnam
30 31Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2019 Impact Report
In addition to increasing our global livestreaming LUNAR NEW YEAR FAMILY CONCERTS MUSIC FROM THE MOVIES
efforts, we introduced new initiatives to introduce
people of all ages to live orchestral music and to
serve Sydney’s diverse communities.
Photo: Christie Brewster
Photo: Daniela Testa
Photo: Tim Skinner
We opened our season with We offered twice as many Our presentations of iconic films
a spectacular Lunar New Year family concerts and fundraised with live orchestral accompaniment
Concert as part of the City of in order to offer all tickets for consistently draw new and excited
Sydney’s Lunar New Year Festival. $25. Foyer activities included audiences to the Sydney Symphony
Traditional lion dancers and “instrument petting zoos” Orchestra. And dressing up is
percussionists enlivened the where children and their parents definitely part of the fun! A flock
Sydney Opera House Concert could meet the musicians and of Audrey Hepburn lookalikes
Hall foyers before stars of Peking learn about their instruments. descended upon the Sydney
Opera conducted by Elim Chan Programs included Mussorgsky’s Opera House for our presentations
delivered a stunning performance Pictures at an Exhibition with mime of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, with its
for a capacity crowd. artist Andy Dexterity, and Vivaldi’s memorable music by Henry Mancini,
Four Seasons featuring 11-year-old while Star Wars stormtroopers posed
violin virtuoso Christian Li. for selfiesand helped space fans
get into the intergalactic mood for
John Williams’ iconic movie music.
SPECIAL EVENTS LANG LANG IN CONCERT LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS
Photo: Lester Jones
Photo: Jay Patel
Photo: Jay Patel
David Robertson’s farewell International piano superstar Fans of London’s famous BBC Proms
season as Chief Conductor and Lang Lang made his long-awaited turned out in force again this year
Artistic Director provided many return to Australia for two tremendous to enjoy the best of British classical
opportunities to gather friends and performances that attracted families music which included works by
fans to salute his many contributions. and young fans. Performing Mozart’s Handel and Elgar. Audience sing-
Our 2019 Season Opening Gala Piano Concerto in C minor, K 491, alongs were ably supported by the
in March attracted capacity crowds, he inspired the young piano students “kings and queens” of the suitably
while David’s final farewell in in attendance and graciously costumed Sydney Philharmonia
November was a star-studded mingled afterwards at meet-the- Choirs. Each concert ended with
affair as Sydney’s cultural leaders artist events. Many ticket holders a spectacular confetti and streamer
turned out to say a fond farewell. were attending a Sydney Symphony explosion, accompanied by a frenzy
performance for the first – of Australian and British flag waving!
but certainly not the last – time.
Photo: Tim Skinner
32 Lunar New Year with the Sydney Symphony. Jin Wu Koon Lion Dance Troupe. (Sydney Opera House, February 2019) 33Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2019 Impact Report
Serving Our State
In 2019 the Sydney Symphony Orchestra reached In 2019 we performed live for more The Sydney Symphony Orchestra
than 310,000 NSW citizens of all ages Fellowship Program also toured to
more towns in NSW than ever before, touring by visiting 18 locations across NSW, regional NSW throughout the year,
live performances and expanding its livestreams and we expanded our partnership with performing in Parramatta, Springwood,
in partnership with the State Library of NSW. the State Library of NSW to facilitate Gosford and Wyong and working
regular livestreams into 22 branch libraries. one-on-one with young local musicians
Tamworth
in Goulburn, Parramatta, Gosford and the
The year began in January with our South Coast Correctional Centre in Nowra.
annual Sydney Symphony Under the Stars
Port Macquarie
free concert at Parramatta Park, enabled Our new partnership with the State
more than 15,000 people, including many Library of New South Wales expanded
multi-generational family groups, to enjoy in 2019, this time to encourage local
Taree masterworks from the orchestral repertoire community music organisations in 22 towns
along with a grand fireworks finale. to host “Symphony Among the Shelves”
music events promoting local musicians
Mudgee
Singleton “That’s what it’s all about for us, before each livestream from the Sydney
Opera House Concert Hall.
connecting with people and
Broken Hill giving people the chance to hear
Cessnock Maitland
the Orchestra without having “It’s an opportunity that rarely
Newcastle to come to the Concert Hall at comes around: the chance to
Lake Macquarie
the Opera House.” see the entire Sydney Symphony
Wyong
Orchestra... Music lovers all
Orange
Bathurst
Benjamin Northey, Conductor,
Sydney Symphony Under the Stars
across the Mid-Coast region
Gosford
Central Coast
The Daily Telegraph, January 2019 have clamoured to buy tickets to
Springwood
Penrith Chatswood
this marvellous evening, not just
We expanded our tours of regional NSW
in 2019 to take in 18 different locations.
because of the superb talent of
Rooty Hill Forestville The expanded program received support all involved, but also because of
Parramatta Sydney CBD
from the NSW Government in order to the wonderful program of music
offer new and additional opportunities in
service to communities located outside
scheduled for the night.”
LIVE PERFORMANCES Wollongong
Temora
metropolitan Sydney. Touring activities Wingham Chronicle, May 2019
included free and paid public performances
Bundanoon
Goulburn and schools presentations in local concert
STATE LIBRARY OF NSW
PARTNERS halls, conservatoriums of music and outdoor
venues. The Sydney Symphony began its
Albury Kiama
Bathurst Wagga Wagga regional programs in 1938 and 2019 marked
Nowra
Broken Hill the program’s 81st continuous year.
Canterbury-Bankstown
Central Coast
Cessnock
Cooma “The Regional NSW Tour
Cumberland
Lake Macquarie is underpinned by the
Kiama
Lane Cove Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s
Liverpool
Maitland Albury
commitment to accessibility
Mudgee
Parramatta
Cooma and removing barriers to
Port Macquarie
Singleton
enjoying live symphonic music.”
Tamworth
Temora
Manning River Times, May 2019
Wagga Wagga
Wollongong
34 35Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2019 Impact Report
MEET THE MUSIC SCHOOL CONCERTS PLAYERLINK MUSIC 4 HEALTH CREDIT SUISSE MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAM PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Photo: Jennifer Drysdale
Photo: Christie Brewster
Photo: Daniela Testa
Photo: Daniela Testa
Photo: Mihka Chee
Photo: Tim Walsh
The Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s The Sydney Symphony was Now a quarter of a century old, It is often in times of hardship 2019 was the second year of The impact that teachers can have
Meet the Music series offers thrilled to welcome 10,950 K–10 Playerlink gathers the state’s that we turn to music as a source a pilot program that we created by engaging students and igniting
a selection of mainstage concerts students who participated in one most talented secondary student of comfort. In partnership with in partnership with Credit Suisse their musical interests is something
designed to support the studies of eighteen interactive school musicians for an intensive and Starlight Foundation, musicians to provide world-class music that we at the Sydney Symphony
of secondary music students concerts held at the Seymour immersive music workshop led from the Sydney Symphony education for primary school believe in strongly.
in alignment with music syllabus Centre (Chippendale) and by Sydney Symphony musicians. performed six times throughout students in disadvantaged areas,
topics. Meet the Music is an Riverside Theatre (Parramatta). the year at the Sydney Children’s selecting six schools across NSW In order for music to be accessed
opportunity for students and In 2019, Playerlink was held Hospitals in Randwick and and Victoria to participate in the and appreciated within all
teachers to experience the Through the generosity of in Campbelltown and hosted in Westmead, bringing music to intensive three-year program. communities, it is essential to us
orchestra, the fundamentals of Credit Suisse via the Credit partnerships with St Patrick’s some of the most vulnerable that we support teachers throughout
symphonic music, Australian music Suisse Music Education Program College for Girls. Fifty-one students and isolated young people in our Sydney Symphony and Credit the country as they bring music
and the music that has shaped and the Anthony & Sharon Lee from across NSW participated in communities. With percussion Suisse are committed to supporting into their classrooms and schools.
Australian compositions. Foundation’s ‘Young and Free’ a busy week of musical mentoring, instruments, children played to music-learning in the classroom.
program, more than 3,000 students sectional and full orchestral Over three years, a new intake of Each performance in our
classics like Prokofiev’s Peter Meet the Music, Schools Concerts
Meet the Music in 2019 included and teachers from low ICSEA score rehearsals as well as small ensemble and the Wolf and sang modern Year 3 students will join the program
eight performances which reached schools were able to attend these performances. All activities were while earlier cohorts continue on and Regional Tour series has
hits like Let it Go from Frozen. a specifically designed teaching
a total of 6,900 students and concerts. For many it was their first led by Sydney Symphony musicians, their musical journey. By 2020,
teachers. Our Professional Learning experience of live orchestral music. including individual tutoring, and Broadcast to all televisions in the program will have had a direct resource kits to provide insight
Seminars and teaching resource small ensemble performances. each hospital room, each Sydney impact on more than 1,000 students into the concert repertoire,
kits, developed by specialist At the final schools concert for Symphony visit gave patients and across the six schools. with pedagogical approaches
music educators, ensured the the year, Lemony Snicket and As is tradition, this year’s their families an opportunity to enjoy relevant to the concerts and
students were able to integrate Nathaniel Stookey’s musical Playerlink program concluded an engaging musical performance This year, 704 students drawn educational stages.
the live Concert Hall experience whodunit The Composer is Dead with a standing-room-only which their situation wouldn’t from across Sydney schools visited
was a great success. Excerpts from performance for family and friends the Credit Suisse Sydney offices In addition to the resource
into classroom activities. otherwise permit. kits we offer a series of 10
Bizet’s opera Carmen were met given by the young participants and toured the Sydney Opera
In a memorable series of with much excitement as students performing side-by-side with Along with these visits we once House where they experienced NESA-accredited Professional
performances we celebrated our recognised the Toreador Song, their Sydney Symphony mentors. again worked with the Autism the Sydney Symphony Orchestra Development Workshops throughout
Associate Principal Trumpet, and the concert finished on a high Advisory and Support Service and in rehearsal. It was a rare opportunity the year. More than 110 teachers
Paul Goodchild’s, 40-year tenure note with K–2 students, led by Liverpool Catholic Club for an and insight into the corporate at all levels of experience have
with the Orchestra. The concerts conductor Brett Kelly, conducting eleventh year. Together we were able and arts world. the opportunity to learn and engage
for which he was featured soloist and clapping along to the Farandole to present a concert for 280 children with leading music educators
included works by Hummel, Sibelius from Bizet’s L’Arlésienne. with autism and their families. Forty-three teachers were and professional musicians.
and a recent work by Australian also engaged at each school,
composer, Ella Macens: The Space We were also delighted to host joining our immersive teacher
Between Stars. Students also 100 people with intellectual training programs TunED-Up
experienced the Australian premiere disabilities from Sunnyfield Disability and ToppED-Up, providing them
of Wynton Marsalis’ The Jungle – Services and their families for an with new skills to teach music
Symphony No.4. Marsalis performed amazing concert of popular classics. in the classroom.
as part of the Orchestra inspiring
Meet the Music students before
they joined the musicians of the
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
for a performance workshop.
36 37Sydney Symphony Orchestra 2019 Impact Report
Acknowledging Your Support
Thank you! The Sydney Symphony Orchestra
gratefully acknowledges those whose generosity
enables us to share the power and joy of live
orchestral music even further.
VISIONARIES AND MAESTRO’S CIRCLE CHAIR PATRONS ANNUAL DONORS AND SUPPORTERS VANGUARD
The Sydney Symphony Orchestra One of the most rewarding ways We acknowledge those passionate Now in its seventh year, Sydney
is indebted to our Visionaries to support the Orchestra is to give music lovers who donate to our work Symphony Vanguard is an initiative
and Maestro’s Circle members. an annual gift towards the chair of every year. These individuals and designed to change the way
Through the leadership support of one of our musicians. In some cases, families provide invaluable support Sydney audiences experience
these generous philanthropists, families have combined gifts to to our education and training classical music. In 2019, the
we are able to reach new heights make donations in memory of programs, and the Orchestra more Vanguard program continued to
of extraordinary artistic excellence. a loved one. Other people have broadly. Their continued generosity take orchestral music out of the
reached out to support one of is part of the lifeblood of the Sydney concert hall and into exciting
Projects supported included the familiar faces they see on Symphony Orchestra and we thank new locations around the city.
breathtaking operas in concert, stage each week, or to learn more them enormously for their advocacy
guest artists of international about an instrument that they love. and support. Across 2019, many In May, Vanguard members
renown, and creative orchestral But all of our Chair Patrons agree – donors were motivated to increase enjoyed a concert of works by
projects spanning the breadth of being part of this special group of their giving and we welcomed new J.S. Bach and Australian composer
everything from CD recordings people deepens your relationship members to our ever growing family. Stephen Lalor at Studios 301 at
to multimedia collaborations. to the Orchestra and provides Alexandria. July saw members
fascinating insight to music-making. visit Crystal Bar at GPO Grand,
We salute Peter Weiss ao
(President Emeritus, Maestro’s “The Sydney Symphony
In 2019, there were 26 musicians where they were treated to
unique instrumental combinations,
Circle), who founded the
whose chairs were supported by Orchestra is a huge part including a performance by
philanthropic gifts.
Maestro’s Circle in 2007, of my life – I couldn’t do Nick Byrne on ophicleide,
and thank Roslyn Packer ac for
her leadership as President of
without it. It puts a smile and in August, our musicians
the Maestro’s Circle since 2018. “Since becoming Scott on my face and is vital to took over Work-Shop in Redfern
for an industrial experience of
Kinmont’s chair patron, the cultural life of everyone, orchestral music curated by
Thank you all for your generosity,
philanthropy and passion for
I have become an honorary especially the young Christopher Pidcock.
music and the Sydney Symphony. member of the trombone musicians of the future. Members also enjoyed some
section. I love it! I’ve Supporting the Sydney behind-the-scenes experiences at
learned so much about Symphony financially the Sydney Opera House, attending
music, rare and unusual open rehearsals for Sydney
is the least I can do to Symphony Orchestra and Jazz
instruments, pieces that are ensure this fine institution at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and
seldom played and many continues to thrive Fauré’s Requiem under the direction
other interesting things. and enrich our world.” of our Principal Guest Conductor
Donald Runnicles. Once again,
I have enjoyed getting Stephen J Bell Vanguard events proved an excellent
to know so many of the opportunity for members to network
musicians, who have and mingle with our musicians.
made me feel part of the The chair of Acting Assistant Principal
Photos: Jay Patel
Sydney Symphony family!” Cello, Leah Lynn is supported
by Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Audrey Blunden, Chair patron since 2015.
Vanguard (lead support from Taine
Moufarrige and Seamus R Quick).
38 39You can also read
