It’s not often that one gets to witness a real, live, symphonic orchestral concert, complete with strings, brass, wind, percussion and a concert grand piano – in regional WA.

This is exactly what we were treated to in the Great Southern this afternoon when the Albany Sinfonia filled the Entertainment Centre with the complex, rich, lush sounds that only an orchestra of 60 plus human beings playing real instruments can create.

And what a treat it was. The programme showcased a dynamic selection of orchestral works, starting with the excitement and warmth of Brahms oddly titled ‘Academic Festival Overture’, the ever-so-English ‘Fantasia on “Greensleeves”’ and the evocative Peter Sculthorpe composition “Small Town”. The jewel in the crown was a stunningly virtuosic performance of George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” by Adam Cook which had me leaping to my feet at the end of the first half.

The second half opened with some very fine syncopated rhythms from the Albany Chamber Orchestra (yes – there were two orchestras performing!), a haunting duet between harp and strings and one of my favourite bits of Boccherini played with both subtlety and panache. Finally the two orchestras came back together to perform local composer Iain Grandage’s “All that Glisters”, an arrangement of the “Out of Africa” theme by the Sinfonia’s founder, Will Upton and one of my all time favourites, Smetana’s “The Moldau”.

A packed programme and a raft of thoroughly professional performances that could have graced the stage of any metropolitan concert hall, delivered here in Albany to a rapt audience by local professional and amateur musicians, ranging in age from 15 to 80. It was a rich and satisfying experience that fittingly concluded with a spirited rendition of “That’s Entertainment”. It really was – I take my hat off to you all.

Vicky Wilson, Denmark Baroque

Albany Sinfonia turns 30 this year and to celebrate, we have a concert scheduled at the Albany Entertainment Centre on May 24th at 3pm.

Roger Hey is directing us in this special concert, and we are also joined by the fantatic Adam Cook on grand piano in Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and we are delighted to also have the Albany Chamber Orchestra with us as well.

Tickets are available via the Albany Entertainment Centre.

We look forward to having you share this special occasion with us!

The Albany Sinfonia invites you to an unforgettable experience of classical music, featuring works by Sibelius, Grieg, and Schubert, under the expert baton of local conductor Adam Cook.

The concerts will take place on Friday 15 November 7.30pm and Saturday 16 November 2.00pm at Wesley Church, promising a rich musical experience for all.

The program includes Schubert’s haunting Unfinished Symphony, Grieg’s beloved Peer Gynt Suite (excerpts), and Sibelius’s stirring Finlandia. In addition to these classical highlights, audiences will be treated to a jazzy number arranged by renowned jazz pianist Will Upson, adding a contemporary twist to the concert.

Tickets $30 Adult | $25 Concession | $5 Child. Available now at Paperbark Merchants, in store or online.

Buy tickets

We were very lucky to be featured on GWN 7News Regional recently, while preparing our performance of Dvorak’s 9th Symphony ‘From the New World’. You can see the news clip here.

Our sold out performance was an amazing experience for the Sinfonia players and big thanks go out to Emma Luxton for leading us in this fabulous work.

We’re always on the lookout for string players, so please send an email or DM if you’re interested in joining.

We’re looking forward to making music again in 2024, with rehearsal recommencing on Wednesday 31st January at 7pm. Our performance of Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 is scheduled for Saturday May 11th under the baton of Emma Luxton.

We are currently seeking violin players to join us. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an enthusiastic amateur, we’d love to hear from you!

Why join us? You will play and practice with a diverse group of music lovers, perform in concerts and community events and be part of an inclusive community group

If you’d like more information, please send us message via the contact form

Long-term Albany Sinfonia member Bede Harold played his last concert with the orchestra at Wesley Church on Saturday, 1st April 2023.

Bede has been playing violin with Albany Sinfonia since 1999 and has also volunteered with the organisation for many years undertaking Sinfonia’s finance audits, distributing posters, mowing the Musical Hall lawns, helping to set up for rehearsals and assisting with the setup of the Sinfonia Music library. Bede is still visiting local aged care facilities and playing his violin. The orchestra wishes to thank Bede for his many years of membership and service.

We’ll miss Bede in the violin section and we hope to see him in the audience at future Sinfonia concerts!

Gerald the Giraffe has been very busy with important dancing commitments lately, but luckily he’s found the time to judge the winners of Albany Sinfonia’s colouring-in competition from their last concert, Giraffes Can’t Dance. 

Congratulations to our winners Edith, Paige, Cynthia and Gay who each win two tickets to A Night in Vienna, a fabulous programme of Viennese music being played at the Albany Town Hall on 11th & 12th November. If you’d like to join our winners at the concert, tickets are available here or at Alison Steer Optometrist, 51 Aberdeen St, Albany.

Winners left to right: Cynthia, Edith, Gay, Paige