Strathfield Symphony Orchestra

05/10/2026

My mum has been attending Strathfield Symphony Orchestra concerts as long as I have been playing (which is over 25 years now!). After living locally most of her life, last year she moved to the Southern Highlands on one condition. Her nephew (who lives nearby) drive her to our concerts four times a year. Unfortunately, she is now very ill and can't leave her aged care facility, so when she couldn't attend the last concert, the wonderful Sadaharu Muramatsu and committee decided that we would take the orchestra to her. Apparently we set a record for the highest attendance of a concert in Abbey House history. Mum loved it and I have only gratitude to to wonderful people that are a part of this orchestra.

05/10/2026

This is community. My mum has been attending Strathfield Symphony Orchestra concerts as long as I have been playing (which is over 25 years now!). After living locally most of her life, last year she moved to the Southern Highlands on one condition. Her nephew (who lives nearby) drive her to our concerts four times a year. Unfortunately, she is now very ill and can't leave her aged care facility, so when she couldn't attend the last concert, the wonderful Sadaharu Muramatsu and committee decided that we would take the orchestra to her. Apparently we set a record for the highest attendance of a concert in Abbey House history. Mum loved it and I have only gratitude to to wonderful people that are a part of this orchestra.

27/09/2026

Rain put a dampeneron your plans today? We have just released an extra 20 tickets to our sold out concert today at 2.30pm. Don't miss seeing our soloist, Connie Liu. You want to say, I saw her before she was an international star! The Rebirth.

Saturday 26 September & 27 September 2026 at Strathfield Town Hall Check out a preview of the ending! To see the rest of the Sibelius Violin Concerto by our marvelous soloist Connie Liu, you wi…

26/09/2026

Sunday will sell out! Only 10 tix still available. Don't miss out, come tonight 7pm. The Rebirth

20/09/2026

🎼 Another happy ending?

Next weekend, experience the thrilling finale of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5. Triumph, tragedy, or something in between? You decide.

🎻 The Rebirth
📍 Strathfield Town Hall
📅 26 & 27 September

11/09/2026

11/09/2026

Start with the end! A sneak peek of the final moments of the Sibelius Violin Concert with our marvelous soloist - Connie Liu. To see the rest, book your tickets soon! The Rebirth
https://strathfieldsymphony.org.au/2026/07/02/the-rebirth/

06/09/2026

🎻 SSO Unplugged: Symphonies, Secrets & Shenanigans!
Episode 15: Meet Craig Giles

This week we're shining the spotlight on a very familiar face around SSO... Craig Giles! 🎶

Craig is one of our talented cellists, a Life Member, our long-serving President, and has been part of the SSO family for an incredible 14 years. To put that into perspective, that's thousands of emails, countless committee meetings, and more spreadsheets than most of us care to imagine.

By day, Craig works in IT, solving technical problems. By night, he's solving musical ones from the cello section, helping create the rich, expressive sound we all know and love.

🎼 Favourite composer: Edward Elgar
🎻 Favourite orchestral genre: Romantic
🎶 Favourite piece: Elgar's Cello Concerto

Craig loves the Elgar Cello Concerto because of the way it explores the depth of human emotion, taking listeners on a journey through moments of tenderness, reflection, heartbreak and hope. In other words, exactly the sort of piece a cellist would choose.

When he's not listening to orchestral music, you'll often find him enjoying musical theatre or chamber music, proving that his love of ensemble performance extends well beyond the symphony orchestra.

If he didn't play the cello? Craig would be torn between the violin and a double reed instrument. We're not sure whether to picture him leading the strings or terrorising the orchestra with an oboe reed emergency five minutes before a concert.

🏳️‍🌈 When he's not working, sleeping, rehearsing or tackling SSO administration, Craig can often be found volunteering at Mardi Gras events, generously giving his time and energy to support one of Australia's most celebrated community festivals.

And now for this week's shenanigan...

Given his years as SSO President, you might assume Craig is completely comfortable speaking in front of a crowd. In fact, he'd be the first to tell you that public speaking doesn't come naturally at all and is something he finds genuinely daunting. Which just goes to show that courage isn't about finding something easy, it's about stepping up and doing it anyway.

We're incredibly grateful for everything Craig contributes to SSO, both on and off the stage. Whether he's keeping the orchestra running behind the scenes or performing with the cello section, SSO simply wouldn't be the same without him.

🎶👏 Thanks for sharing your story, Craig!

📸 Photo credit: Wozpix

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