The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO) is bringing classical music to regional South Australia this October as it embarks on a tour through the state’s mid-north.
The tour runs from Wednesday 5 – Saturday 8 October 2022, and features community performances in Clare, Peterborough, and the Bundaleer Forest Reserve, before culminating in their major performance at the Peterborough Town Hall.
The tour will also feature some of the works of local students thanks to the ASO’s Silos and Symphonies learning program.
Composers from the ASO are working in collaboration with students from Peterborough High School and St. Joseph’s School as part of the program to create two original pieces of music, both of which will debut at the final concert in Peterborough.
Peterborough High School’s Music Director Joycie Kee said her students were really excited to get involved with the program and enjoyed the new experience it provided.
“Being in the country we don’t get a lot of exposure to orchestras, classical music, or musicians. There’s not really a culture for it around here,” Kee said.
“So having an entity willing to come here and work with them is huge for our students.”
ASO conductor Guy Noble said the Peterborough concert is a journey through the world of music focusing on the audience’s sense of place, featuring well known classics by artists such as Mendelssohn and Brahm.
“It’s a global music tour and you don’t even have to leave Peterborough,” said Noble, who will conduct the concert.
The ASO will also be hosting free community concerts during the school holidays in Clare on Wednesday 5 October and at the Bundaleer Forest Reserve on Thursday 6 October. These concerts are presented by conductor Martin Butler and explore song and dance around the globe.
Additionally, The Bush Concert, a family-oriented performance, will be held in both Clare and Peterborough on Friday 7 October.
Susan Ferguson will explore a distinctly Australian story of adversity, inclusion and community. The concert is based on Helga Visser’s book of the same name with accompaniment from the ASO.
Peterborough Mayor Ruth Whittle said the community is looking forward to hosting the once-in-a-generation experience.
“It’s lovely to see our Town Hall used for a prestigious orchestra such as the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra,” she said.
“It’s nice that people in rural areas can enjoy the wonderful music, just like people in the city can.”
Noble said the ASO musicians were also keen to get on the road.
“It feels more relaxed out of Adelaide – smaller venues mean the audience is closer to the players, and that is the real thrill of hearing the orchestra live – feeling the vibrations of the music up close,” Noble said.
“I think audiences in the regions are really enthusiastic – it’s not every day the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra rolls into town, so there’s a sense of occasion.”
More information and tickets are available on the ASO’s website.
Words: Jason Franks
Image: ASO conductor Guy Noble, Jason Franks
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