New era opens for SW orchestra
The sounds of Bunbury’s only orchestra will drift across Koombana Bay when Philharmonic South West plays on Saturday.
The orchestra will be led by one of the State’s most experienced musicians and feature one of Perth’s best violin soloists.
Concert master Sabine Pfuhl said the concert at Koombana Bay Sailing Club was one of a small number of opportunities people had each year to see the orchestra perform.
She said the orchestra had a combination of young players and experienced musicians.
The performance will include music by Chausson, Beethoven and Handel.
Mrs Pfuhl said she was excited to welcome guest conductor David Pye and guest soloist Ashley Arbuckle.
“I wasn’t really expecting David Pye to say yes when I asked him,” she said.
She said the need to enlist a guest conductor arose following the retirement of the orchestra’s own conductor.
“It’s very hard to find good conductors,” Mrs Pfuhl said.
“It’s a new era for the orchestra working with guest soloists and conductors.”
French horn player Alan Fleming said the musicians were looking forward to having the well-known conductor and violinist join them.
Mr Fleming said he was enjoying the anticipation ahead of the performance.
“You never know what you’re going to get,” he said.
“It’s good to have a guest conductor, people seem to be striving for the best they can do.”
The orchestra plays at the Koombana Bay Sailing Club on September 20 and in Busselton at the Youth and Community Centre the following day.
