Strathfield Symphony Orchestra

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Strathfield, NSW
Strathfield Symphony Orchestra

Strathfield Symphony Orchestra is a Sydney community orchestra at the cutting edge.

The orchestra aims to promote music-making in the community, to provide exciting and enjoyable concert programs, nurturing up and coming talent and showcasing music.

26/08/2026

🎶 SSO Unplugged: Symphonies, Secrets & Shenanigans!
Episode 14: Meet James Hillier

This week we're turning the spotlight on James Hillier, one of our talented flute and piccolo players and an SSO member for the past 3 years. 🎵✨

By day, James is a student at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, immersing himself in all things musical and preparing for a future in the profession. By rehearsal night, he's helping the woodwind section add colour, sparkle and impossibly high notes.

🎼 Favourite composer: André Jolivet
🎻 Favourite orchestral genre: 20th Century music
🎶 Favourite piece: Chant de Linos

It's no surprise that James is drawn to the rich colours and expressive possibilities of 20th Century music. His favourite composer and favourite work both showcase the flute at its most virtuosic, which may tell us something about his willingness to tackle a challenge!

When he's taking a break from classical music, James enjoys listening to jazz, proving once again that SSO musicians have excellent taste.

If he didn't play the flute and piccolo? He'd choose the oboe. We suspect he simply enjoys keeping things in the woodwind family.

✍️ When he's not performing, James enjoys composition and writing, spending his time creating music as well as bringing ideas to life on the page. Some musicians are happy to play the notes; James likes to write them too.

We're delighted to have James as part of the SSO family and look forward to hearing many more brilliant performances from him in the years ahead.

🎶👏 Thanks for sharing your story, James!

📸 Photo credit: Wozpix

16/08/2026

🎻 SSO Unplugged: Symphonies, Secrets & Shenanigans!
Episode 13: Meet Anna Bray

This week, we're putting the spotlight on Anna Bray, one of our wonderful cellists and a proud member of the Strathfield Symphony Orchestra family for the past 8 years.

By day, Anna is a music teacher, sharing her love of music with the next generation. But on Monday nights she's helping the cello section provide the rich, sonorous foundation that keeps the orchestra grounded while everyone else gets distracted by the melody. 😉

When it comes to composers, Anna's favourite is the one and only Johann Sebastian Bach, which makes perfect sense given her love of all things Baroque. Elegant, intricate and beautifully structured, it's a genre that's clearly close to her heart.

That said, Anna's favourite orchestral work is Holst's The Planets. Not remotely Baroque, but we'll allow it because it's an absolute masterpiece and because Jupiter has convinced many of us to abandon our musical principles over the years.

When she's not immersed in classical music, you'll likely find her listening to American jazz, proving that great music is great music, regardless of the century.

If Anna hadn't chosen the cello, her instrument of choice would be the double bass. Apparently she wasn't interested in moving up the string family ladder.

Away from the orchestra, Anna is also a talented fluid artist, creating vibrant artworks that are every bit as expressive as the music she performs.

And now for this week's shenanigan…

Anna has spent an incredible 20 years in community musical theatre. That's two decades of rehearsals, costumes, quick changes, backstage laughs, opening nights and probably knowing every show tune ever written. So if you hear her casually humming something during rehearsal, there's a fair chance it's from a musical rather than the symphony we're actually playing. 🎭

We're delighted to have Anna in the SSO cello section and are grateful for the creativity, musicianship and enthusiasm she brings to every rehearsal and performance.

🎻👏 Thanks for sharing your story, Anna!

📸 Photo credit: Little Raven Photography

10/08/2026

🎻✨ Here's a taste of what's to come at our next concert...

Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5 is one of the most gripping works in the orchestral repertoire, packed with drama, intensity, beauty and moments that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

And if you ask a violinist what they love most about Shostakovich? They'll probably tell you that you can never have too many notes. We are, however, doing our very best to prove them wrong in this passage. 😅

Join us as we bring this extraordinary masterpiece to life:

📅 Saturday 26 September & Sunday 27 September 2026
📍 Strathfield Town Hall

For now, enjoy this sneak peek from rehearsal and start counting the notes... if you can. 🎶

19/07/2026

🎶 SSO Unplugged: Symphonies, Secrets & Shenanigans! 🎶
Episode 13 — Meet David Young
This week we’re celebrating David Young, trumpet player and a true stalwart of the SSO, having joined the orchestra way back in 1987 — before some of our members were even a twinkle in their parents’ eyes! 😉
A retired (but still part‑time) brass teacher, David brings decades of experience, musicality and insight to the orchestra, with a particular love for Beethoven’s symphonies — especially the thrilling 7th and monumental 9th.
Here’s a little more about David:
🎺 Instrument: Trumpet
🕰️ Member of SSO: Since 1987
💼 Day Job: Retired (part‑time brass teacher)
🎶 Favourite Composer: Beethoven
🎧 Favourite Orchestral Works: Beethoven Symphony No. 7 & No. 9
David’s musical journey extends well beyond the SSO:
🎼 Orchestral highlights: He performed with both the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in the early 1970s — incredible pedigree!
And when he’s not on the trumpet…
✈️ Hobby: Aircraft simulation flying — trading brass lines for flight paths.
From Beethoven to the skies, David brings experience, humour and a rich musical history to the SSO — and we’re lucky to have him in our ranks.
📸 Photo credit: Wozpix

13/07/2026

That's where all the trombones went! If you are a trombone player and you want to hang out with more than just other trombones, come play with us! https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1LMMAkD6Ey/

12/07/2026

🎶 SSO Unplugged: Symphonies, Secrets & Shenanigans! 🎶
Episode 12 — Meet Rester Ng
This week we’re excited to introduce Rester Ng, one of our newest members who joined the SSO at the end of 2025 — and has already dived straight in, stepping up to join the orchestra committee!
By day, Rester works as a structural engineer, bringing precision and problem‑solving to his profession — and that same focus carries into his music.
Here’s a little more about Rester:
🎻 Instrument: Viola
🕰️ Member of SSO: Since late 2025
💼 Day Job: Structural Engineer
🎶 Favourite Composers: Beethoven & John Williams
🎧 Favourite Orchestral Style: Movie music and grand, majestic works
🎵 Favourite Pieces: Beethoven’s Symphonies No. 5 & No. 9 and Dvořák’s New World Symphony
🎸 Favourite Non‑Orchestral Music: Instrumental and rock
🎻 If Not Viola: He’d play the Cello
When he’s not rehearsing or designing structures…
🌿 Hobbies: Bushwalking, hiking, golfing and gaming — equally at home outdoors or immersed in a virtual world.
From cinematic scores to symphonic greats, Rester brings enthusiasm, energy and a real sense of curiosity to the SSO — we’re thrilled to have him as part of the orchestra (and the committee!).
📸 Photo credit: Little Raven

06/07/2026

🎶 SSO Unplugged: Symphonies, Secrets & Shenanigans! 🎶
Episode 11 — Meet Judy Whitlock
This week we’re delighted to introduce Judy Whitlock, violinist and SSO member for the past 6 years.
By day, Judy is a working artist, and her creative spirit shines through in her music. With a deep love of Beethoven — especially the ever‑evocative Symphony No. 6 (Pastoral) — Judy brings a thoughtful, expressive and heartfelt sound to the orchestra.
Here’s a little more about Judy:
🎻 Instrument: Violin
🕰️ Member of SSO: 7 years
🎨 Day Job: Artist
🎶 Favourite Composer: Beethoven
🎧 Favourite Orchestral Genre: Classical
🎵 Favourite Piece: Beethoven Symphony No. 6 (Pastoral)
🎶 Favourite Non‑Orchestral Music: Country & Western, hillbilly, Irish folk & jazz
🎻 If Not Violin: She’d play the Viola
Outside of music, Judy’s creativity continues to flourish:
🌿 Other passions: Photography, gardening and reading — a beautifully balanced mix of art, nature and quiet reflection.
From Beethoven’s pastoral landscapes to folk traditions and beyond, Judy brings warmth, creativity and richness to the SSO — and we’re so lucky to have her as part of the orchestra.
📸 Photo credit: Wozpix

05/07/2026

🇮🇹 Grazie, Strathfield! 🇮🇹
What a weekend! Our Viva L’Italia concerts were a complete sell-out, and we couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who joined us for two unforgettable performances.
From soaring Italian masterpieces to the delicious pizza at interval (because what else would you serve at an Italian concert?), it was a true celebration of music, food and community. 🍕🎻
A huge thank you to our wonderful audience, talented musicians, dedicated volunteers, and everyone who helped make the weekend such a success.
If you missed out this time, don’t make the same mistake twice! Get in early for our next concert on 26 & 27 September – if Viva L’Italia taught us anything, it’s that tickets don’t hang around for long.
Stay tuned for details coming soon. We can't wait to see you again!
🎶🇮🇹

30/06/2026

🤠🎶 The Good: You love great music.
🤠🎶 The Bad: You still haven't bought your tickets.
🤠🎶 The Ugly: Missing out on this weekend's Strathfield Symphony Orchestra concert...
Don't let this one ride off into the sunset! 🌅
🎟️ Hurry — tickets are selling fast! Secure your seat now and join us for an unforgettable weekend of music.
👉 Book now! Ticket link on top of this page or visit strathfieldsymphony.org.au

🎻✨
Click the buy tickets link at the top of this page or visit strathfieldsymphony.org.au

28/06/2026

🎻✨ Meet our Harold in Italy viola soloist — 14-year-old Estelle Gilmovich ✨🎻
A multi-instrumentalist, award-winning composer, and already holding her AMusA and LMusA, Estelle is a rising star you won’t want to miss.
🎟️ Next weekend’s concert is selling fast — grab your tickets now! Link at the top of this page or visit strathfieldsymphony.org,au

Address

Strathfield Town Hall
Strathfield, NSW

Opening Hours

Monday

7:30pm - 10pm

Website

http://www.strathfieldsymphony.org.au/

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