Sophie Conlon
The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra is hitting the road and coming to the Limestone Coast to perform in Mount Gambier and Millicent in the new year.
The tour will see two shows visit the region, Herman and Rosie – which will be performed exclusively for local schools – and Sounds from the Blue Lake.
Conductor Luke Dollman said Sounds from the Blue Lake would take audience members on a journey.
“I’ve always enjoyed making music in Mount Gambier and visiting this unique part of Australia,” he said.
“This program will take you on a world tour from the comfort of your seat in the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre. From the banks of the Danube in Vienna to the streets of New York in Dvorak’s last symphony – there will be something for everyone.”
Bringing the community into Sounds from the Blue Lake, the orchestra will perform original music composed by local students.
Students Millicent High School and St Martins Lutheran College worked with composers Adam Page and Hilary Kleining in 2020 and wrote Turn of the Lone Wonderer and Deep Blue respectively.
Ahead of the main performance the Limestone Coast Symphony Orchestra will put on a show in the courtyard and let their music ring out through the evening.
Committee member Jennie Mathews said the local string ensemble had been practicing under the leadership of violinist and LCSO Concert Master, Cathy Foster, and were looking forward to performing.
“The LCSO committee is delighted that the ASO is finally touring an orchestral program in our region again and is honoured to be associated with this top class orchestra,“ she said.
ASO trumpeter David Khafagi has played since he was 12 and will make his solo debut in Mount Gambier.
“I love travelling to perform in regional areas – as well as the fun of being on tour, we have the opportunity to share music with people who probably don’t get to hear live Orchestras that often,” he said.
“It’s so wonderful to be able to move and inspire people, and so often the feedback from regional communities is that they cherish hearing the ASO live and are grateful for the effort that the orchestra has made to visit their area. It reminds me that music is a gift to be shared with everyone, and not to be taken for granted.”
Violinist Janet Anderson said she loved travelling with the orchestra and thought all South Australians should have access to high quality orchestral experiences.
“For the community to hear the ASO performing in Mount Gambier – it will certainly be a night to remember!
“It is so important to be able to be heard by everyone – rural and city audiences alike and inspire the next generation of musicians.”
While the public is welcome to attend one show, Herman and Rosie will be performed exclusively for school groups at the Millicent Civic and Arts Centre and the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre.
The show is a charming story of friendship, music and life in the big city and following your dreams, based on the award-winning book by Gus Gordon, featuring a lively jazz-influenced score by composer Mark Simeon Ferguson.
The orchestra has committed to performing in schools and allowing regional students the opportunity to hear live orchestral music.
Manager of Learning and Community Programs Maxine Lee-Morath said nothing compared to hearing an orchestra up close.
“Our regional touring provides a unique opportunity for regional people of all ages from primary school students to the elderly to engage with music and experience orchestral music that they may never have seen performed in their hometown,” she said.
“The tour’s purpose is not just to entertain but to educate and inspire.”
Sounds from the Blue Lake will be performed on Friday, February 24, from 7.30pm at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre.
