NEWS
Introducing our new Chairperson, Claire Kilgariff
Claire has been part of Darwin Symphony Orchestra since the beginning, initially joining the Darwin Concert Band, and eventually the Darwin String Ensemble in 1979, and growing with the organisation until the Orchestra was formally assembled in 1988.
In less than 2 weeks’ time, she will be stepping out in front of the orchestra for the first time to perform Brett Dean’s stunningly mysterious and incredibly virtuosic ‘Siduri Dances’ in DSO’s Darwin Festival concert, Destiny and Desire.
Soloist Spotlight: Tania Watts
Tania Watts is DSO’s multi-talented, musical gem. Not only is she Principal Flute, but also DSO’s Orchestra and Operations Manager.
In less than 2 weeks’ time, she will be stepping out in front of the orchestra for the first time to perform Brett Dean’s stunningly mysterious and incredibly virtuosic ‘Siduri Dances’ in DSO’s Darwin Festival concert, Destiny and Desire.
Behind the Scenes with Kieran Hurley
Have you ever wondered how our orchestra transforms all your favourite pop and rock classics into stunning orchestral arrangements for our Amphitheatre concerts each year?
Kieran Hurley is DSO’s mastermind behind these wonderful arrangements. Read on to learn about Kieran’s job as a professional music arranger and the process involved in getting all this fantastic music ready for our musicians to perform at DSO Rhythm of the 90s concert!
Principal Spotlight: Laura Llewellyn
DSO Principal Clarinetist Laura Llewellyn has been preparing for a very unique role in our upcoming season-opening performance, Dances of Fire.
Kodály’s Dances of Galánta is a beautiful work packed with plenty of Hungarian flair and energy. The piece is inspired by dances from the folk tradition and will feature Laura mimicking the traditional single reed instrument, the Tarogato, on her clarinet.
Soloist Spotlight: Tara Murphy
DSO Concertmaster, Education and Outreach Officer, and Soloist extraordinaire Tara Murphy has been preparing for DSO’s 2023 season-opening performance, Dances of Fire, where she, along with Darwin Symphony Orchestra, will perform Barber’s thrilling Violin Concerto.
Conversations with the Composer: Emma Jayakumar
It was wonderful to sit down with celebrated Australian composer, Emma Jayakumar this month to discuss compositional life, the trials and tribulations for the past 2 years, and of course, her stunning new song cycle, Four Lost Songs, commissioned by DSO, premiering this August at Darwin Festival. Emma, thank you for taking the time talk…
Musician Spotlight: Stephanie Arnold
Meet Stephanie Arnold, DSO cellist, accomplished artist, and musical mentor, Steph begun playing the Cello at the age of 6. ‘My older sister had started learning violin the year before’ Steph recalls. ‘I remember watching her walking around the house with the violin under her chin and wanting to learn as well. Our neighbours down…
Musician Spotlight: Zakelli Xie
Say ‘hello’ to Zakelli Xie: DSO Violinist and graduate of Darwin Symphony Orchestra’s Young Artist program. Zak has been with DSO’s Young Artist Program since its inception. He describes the experience as ‘like a little musical family’ who grow together throughout the year. ‘YAP – which we lovingly call it – is such a diverse…
Musician Spotlight: Isabella Penna
Meet Isabella Penna, Darwin Symphony Orchestra’s most recent, talented Young Artist Program (YAP) graduate, and newest member of the DSO percussion section. Image: Tim Nicol Photography Isabella has been learning and performing with the DSO Young Artists since 2020 and has been playing the Timpani for 6 years. She picked up this unique instrument by…
Celebrating International Youth Day!
Join us in celebrating our wonderfully talented Young Artists this International Youth Day! We spoke with Holly, Zakelli, Isabella, Harry and Tom who are all members of our Young Artists Program. We asked them what love they love most about playing music and what music means to them in everyday life. Their wonderfully worded and inspiring responses are sure to…
DSO Conversations: Phoebe Briggs
Phoebe Briggs is Head of Music at Victorian Opera. She is a repetiteur (opera tutor or coach), pianist and conductor who has worked for Victorian Opera, Opera Australia and other major companies. As a pianist, she has appeared in concert in Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Japan. DSO is delighted Phoebe will be joining…
DSO’s Young Artists Program
Ahead of our first Kids’ Classics event for the year, Hoedown, we sat down and chatted to three talented DSO Young Artists who will be performing at the family friendly concert – Harry Cass, Aisha Hayashi and Zakelli Xie – about DSO’s Young Artists Program, the recent YAP camp, and more. Harry plays the bassoon, …
DSO Conversations: Cathy Applegate
For our fourth interview in our DSO Conversations series, we corresponded with General Practitioner, composer, published author, and DSO’s Principal Cellist, the multi-talented Cathy Applegate. Cathy’s musical compositions encompass a broad range of forms, including orchestral work, film music, a ballet, choral pieces and a piano concerto. Her latest work, Conversations about the Impossible will have its world premiere on…
‘In Motion’ at Darwin Entertainment Centre
Darwin Entertainment Centre has launched a new event series called ‘In Motion’ that will feature four nights of artistic encounters with local creative talent. A ticket to an ‘In Motion’ night gives you access to four 15-minute performances in locations across the Centre, which you can ‘rove’ between in small groups. DSO is delighted to…
DSO Conversations: Stephen Pevely
In these unsettling times, it’s important to stay connected and to continue sharing our experiences. To this end, we started a interview series called ‘DSO Conversations’, where we chat to musicians about how they have dealt with the changes brought about by COVID-19 and how they are adjusting to the ‘new normal’ now that restrictions are lifting.…
Live On Fridays
This Friday 12th June join three brilliant DSO musicians – Concertmaster Tara Murphy, Principal Second Violin Netanela Nizrahi and Principal Cello Cathy Applegate – for an evening of eclectic musical performances at Brown’s Mart. This concert is part of Brown’s Mart new Live on Fridays series. Get out of the house, now that you finally…
Brass Maintenance & Repairs Workshop
Join Robert Gladstones (Principal Third Horn, West Australian Symphony Orchestra) at 6pm ACST on Monday 25 May for a free online workshop about brass maintenance and repairs. Simply email us if you’d like to register and we will send you a URL link to the workshop to participate.
Portraits IV
Portraits IV is the perfect musical interlude for a night at home or before (or after) your first post-pandemic dinner out. Featuring special performances by Archer Bryett and Hanhan Chen from our Young Artists Program, as well as Carl Brumfield (Principal Oboe), Stephen Pevely (Principal Clarinet) and Rozanne Gwynne (flute) playing Malcolm Arnold’s much-loved Divertimento for…
DSO Conversations: Netanela Mizrahi
For our second installment of DSO Conversations: Coping with COVID-19, we talked to DSO’s Principal Second Violinist Netanela Mizrahi. Netanela is a woman of many talents; she’s a musician, composer, music therapist, music teacher, and a 2017 Churchill Fellow who has researched the impact of music-based interventions on communities that experience trauma. Given her involvement…
Portraits III: Jonathan Tooby and Tommaso Pollio
Join us for another evening of exquisite music, this time with DSO’s Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Jonathan Tooby and pianist Tommaso Pollio. Simply click on this link at 7pm (ACST) Friday 1 May and let the dulcet tones of Beethoven, Rachmaninoff and others bring the week to a delightful close.
Portraits II Livestreamed Concert
The second performance in our livestreamed concert series, Portraits, will take place at 7pm ACST on Friday April 17. Click here to join DSO’s Principal Oboist Carl Brumfield and talented saxophonist Nick Yates for an evening of stunning music and casual conversation, sure to lift your spirits in these secluded times. This exciting program will feature Nick Yates performing Georg Philip Telemann’s Fantasia no. 8 in E…
DSO Conversations: Coping with COVID-19
In these unsettling times, it’s important to stay connected and to continue sharing our experiences. To this end, we have started a new interview series called ‘DSO Conversations: Coping with COVID-19’, where we chat to musicians about how they are dealing with the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. For our first interview we sat down and…
Portraits Livestreamed Concert Series
DSO is delighted to announce a new initiative designed to bring beauty and joy to our homebound lives – Portraits, a special fortnightly livestreamed concert series that highlights the individual talents of our brilliant musicians. Our first concert in the series will be livestreamed tomorrow, Thursday 2 April, at 12pm from CDU Theatre. Featuring…
Important Update: COVID-19
DSO regrets to announce that due to Coronavirus risk reduction measures, performances between now and the end of June will no longer take place. The following events have been postponed or cancelled: Kids’ Classics: A Soldier’s Tale – postponed until later in the year DSO Up Close – cancelled ConocoPhillips Symphony: DISCO – cancelled…
Meet your guide!
We are delighted Darwin’s own Shalom Kaa will be our guide on our next musical adventure, Around the World in Eighty Minutes. DSO sat down and chatted with the multi-talented artist and entertainer about what he’s most looking forward to on the upcoming journey, as well as what he’s been up to since…