“Well, what a year it has been!
It’s hard to believe that six months ago it looked as though we wouldn’t have the opportunity to play again this year, but instead we finished the year strong with two spectacular stadium concerts, a regional tour with Phil Wally-Stack, a candlelight concert at Perth Concert Hall, the launch of a new show S.T.R.I.N.G.S in Karratha, a number of community Christmas Carols concerts as well as countless PSO duos, trios and quartets playing across Perth throughout November and December. After an incredible debut performance at Telethon in October, I’m thrilled that INNEKA, our newest electric string quartet is in high demand.

Even when we weren’t able to play, PSO continued to develop and deliver important programs. We created a new program for Aged Care facilities through a partnership with Brightwater Care Group and our Women on the Podium program continued through COVID-19 with a series of international faculty workshops conducted over Zoom. I am proud to have had four of our 2020 members take the podium for their debut this year, Elise Chong for Bowie, Jen Winley for Eurythmics, Kate Milligan for Claremont Christmas Carols and Kate McNamara with WA Ballet. These programs are so important to me and really epitomise Perth Symphony.

And in between all of that, we have grown so much we have moved! Our team now includes two new senior staff, Georgina Harvey in Brand and Development and Nicky Sudmeyer in Finance and Operations. You can find us down the road at 525 Stirling Highway. Thank you to Tim Roberts Giving for providing us with our new space. Our musicians also found a new home this year at MLC, who has been so gracious in welcoming us to share their incredible music space.

We could not have finished 2020 in such a strong, positive position if not for our wonderful supporters. Thank you to our donors and sponsors for sticking with us through the year and continuing to believe in our vision of Music for Everyone.

I’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the additional support we have received from State and Federal Governments. These financial boosts have made it possible for us to play in front of record crowds and as we look towards 2021, I am committed to working with the government to ensure this support continues to aid recovery for the Arts.

And finally to team PSO, who has weathered the storm this year with me and to our musicians, for never losing faith. I am so excited for what is to come in 2021 and look forward to sharing our program with you all soon. Already, February is packed with large-scale community events, Sound and Waves has been rescheduled for March and we are embarking on our first co-presented stage production with CHESS: The Musical in June.

If 2020 has taught us nothing else, it is the importance of community and I look forward to creating music to connect and inspire us all.

Merry Christmas everyone” – Bourby