We are excited to announce we have appointed a number of core players for the first time. The name of the group is PSCORE (referred to as P-Score, representing the “PSO Core”. PSO has grown significantly in the last few years and creating a core group of musicians was deemed an important step in keeping music and musicians at the core of what we do. The remit of the group includes:

a) to assist in formulation of artistic strategy to achieve PSO core goals;
b) to increase player engagement and input within the organisation;
c) to contribute input and feedback on artistic matters including programming and player appointment;
d) to be an ambassador for the PSO brand, preserving the culture and reputation internally and externally;
e) to assist the PSO in its main endeavours, business and goals.

The membership of CORE will comprise of at least two PSO core staff, Perth Symphony’s Executive Director,  Artistic Director and/or General Manager and a select number of musicians. The musicians have been chosen for their stellar musicianship, industry experience and commitment to the success and longevity of the organisation. Tenure is for one year, and musicians may be invited to continue as PSCORE musicians, and others may be asked to join the group.

Jessica Gethin, Chief Conductor and Artistic Director commented:

“Since inception, Perth Symphony has always valued our musicians’ input at the core of our organisation, therefore it’s exciting that as we enter our eighth year of operation, we are able to take the next step of formally appointing a core player group to represent the orchestra. This is a really exciting time for us as we look ahead into the next stage of growth for Perth Symphony”

For the financial year 2018/2019, these musicians are:

Paul Wright – Concertmaster
Pascale Whiting – Principal 2^nd Violin
Kathy Potter – Principal Viola
Sophie Curtis – Principal Cello
Libby Browning – Principal Double Bass
Stephanie Nicholls – Principal Oboe
Wendy Tait – Principal Horn
Paul Tanner – Principal Percussion

We are excited to be working closely with this group of incredible musicians whose commitment to PSO is appreciated.

PSCORE member, Stephanie Nicholls noted,

“Perth Symphony Orchestra has given me opportunities to perform with extraordinary artists in extraordinary surroundings. I’m excited to contribute back to PSO as part of the core player group, helping to drive the orchestra’s vision in bringing quality music to all West Australians”

They will be working with PSO Management to encourage aspiring musicians to play with PSO, identifying new talent; acting as the first point of contact for other PSO musicians to communicate with, and provide feedback to, management; and much more.

Bourby Webster, PSO Executive Director, concluded:

‘We thank them, and all our musicians, for the incredible support we have received since day one and look forward to continuing to grow with our musicians at our core.”

Perth Symphony Orchestra is delighted to welcome Phil Thick, General Manager, Tianqi Lithium, as new Chair of the orchestra. In doing so, the orchestra says farewell to outgoing founding Chair, Maurice Spillane, Senior Member, State Administrative Tribunal.

Phil brings with him a wealth of experience having worked as Executive Director for Shell Australia Ltd., Director, Esperance Port Authority, CEO & Director Coogee Chemicals, Managing Director & CEO, MHM Metals, and Managing Director, New Standard Energy, prior to taking on his current role with Tianqi Lithium.

Phil has had considerable not-for-profit experience including a directorship with the Disability Services Commission (WA) and more recently as Chair of Avivo (formerly Perth Home Care Services).

In taking on the role with Perth Symphony, Phil noted,

“I’m passionate about the arts and particularly the impact music can have on the lives of everyone, regardless of age, culture or status.  We have been big fans of PSO for many years, particularly their commitment to bring music to the community.  The opportunities are endless, and I want to work with Bourby and the PSO team to continue to grow and spread our influence, so all can share the joy the PSO experience brings.”

Phil replaces founding Chair, Maurice Spillane, who has been with Perth Symphony since its inception in 2014, since starting from a Kitchen Table. Maurice has overseen the orchestras beginnings and its formation into a registered charity with DGR status. During this time the orchestra’s constitution was formed, the board was established, and founding Executive Director, Bourby Webster, was supported in setting the organisation’s vision, mission and purpose.

Under Maurice’s guidance, the orchestra has grown into one of WA’s largest and most sustainable arts companies with an Annual turnover of just under $1.5m.

In departing, Maurice noted,

“The founding principle of PSO and Bourby’s driving ambition was to give opportunities to WA musicians and bring music to the people of WA where they live.”

“I have been honoured to assist in the first phase of that incredible journey and am proud of what has been achieved in such a short time with the wonderful assistance of numerous musicians, donors, sponsors, volunteers and many other community members. I’ve no doubt it will grow from strength to strength under Bourby and the board’s guidance over the coming years”.

Phil was welcomed as Chair-elect at the October board meeting and will be formally appointed at the orchestra’s AGM on November 18^th. His role involves supporting the achievement of Perth Symphony’s strategic goals, building strong lasting relationships with major supporters such as Founding Partner, AHG, and Sustainability Partners, Tim Roberts Giving and Minderoo Foundation, and developing diverse funding sources.

Phil joins the below members of the Perth Symphony Orchestra board:

Mr Alec O’Connell, Appointed 18 November 2014
Ms Joanne Palmer, Appointed 18 November 2014
Ms Bourby Webster, Appointed 11 September 2014
Mr Simon Joyner, Appointed 5 April 2016 (retired Oct 12)
Ms Suzanne Ardagh, Appointed 19 September 2017
Ms Niamh O’Connor, Appointed 28 March 2018

In addition, Perth Symphony also bids farewell to Simon Joyner who joined the Board in April 2016.

For all media enquiries, contact:
Belinda Sherry, Marketing Manager – belinda@perthsymphony.com

We are very excited to be returning to the City of Kwinana for Tianqi Lithium Symphony Spectacular!

Following on from the hugely successful 2017 Act-Belong-Commit Rock Symphony, get ready for an event that is bigger and louder than ever before on Saturday, 1 December 2018.

Performed as you’ve never experienced them before, with a 55-piece orchestra from Perth Symphony Orchestra and fantastic light show, the Tianqi Lithium Symphony Spectacular will feature your favourite pop and rock songs including the hits of INXS, George Michael, Queen, Icehouse, Fleetwood Mac and film classics from Star Wars, Gladiator and Slumdog Millionaire!

When: Saturday, 1 December 2018
Time: 6.30pm – 9.30pm
Where: Calista Oval, Kwinana
Tickets: Free of charge,

To find out more visit www.kwinana.wa.gov.au or let your friends know you’re coming by joining the Facebook event here.

People of all ages, backgrounds and musical tastes streamed into His Majesty’s Theatre on Friday 28th September to celebrate an iconic album and one of history’s most influential bands, Nirvana. At the close of the last number, the orchestra was met with a full standing ovation, with some audience members even standing on their chairs! PSO has certainly lived up to its reputation as “the orchestra that breaks rules”!.

Here’s what reviewers are saying:

Ryan Ellis, Xpress Mag – 9/10 stars – Read the full review here.

“What made the night so special was that it wasn’t just an orchestra playing Nirvana covers, it was something totally different and new… A complete recreation of Unplugged that encapsulated the vibe of and emotion behind the original, while still paying homage to the legacy of Cobain and Nirvana.

PSO are the rebels of the orchestral world…..The year isn’t over yet but what the PSO and Burford put on tonight will be hard to beat. It was hands down one of the best performances of the year, and definitely the most creative thing this writer has seen.”

Melanie D Griffiths, Amnplify – 3.5 stars. Read the full review here.

“It takes a lot of chutzpah to tackle one of the greatest bands that ever were, led by the figurehead of an entire generation. And wildly, the Perth Symphony Orchestra and Justin Burford’s Unplugged: Nirvana Reimagined worked, rather spectacularly at challenging our preconceived ideas of an iconic performance to offer something fresh and colourful.

…Burford made it clear he is a worthy artist to deliver Cobain’s material. Burford, of indie-pop band End Of Fashion, delivered a very worth homage to his hero in appearance, mannerism, and vocally.”

Robert Housley, Noted. Read the full review here.

“…Justin Burford channelled the role and gravelly voice to near perfection. His uncanny physical resemblance to the dishevelled Cobain, coupled with his superlative West Coast US accent, made it feel like the man himself was there. The cardie, chain smoking and nervous movements on a swivel chair took you right back to MTV Unplugged.

What set this concert aside was the casual interplay between him and lithe PSO chief conductor/artistic director Jessica Gethin. She said very little but was a potent and lively conduit between the grunge front man and the sea of black-bedecked players.

This triumvirate were as one throughout arranger Ash Gibson Greig’s beautifully realised versions of the MTV Unplugged song list including gems such as Come As You Are and All Apologies.”

Sasha Cambrie from Scenstr. Read the full review here.

“From the sounds of violins and trumpet delightfully messing with my expectations during ‘The Man Who Sold The World’, to the tuba and harp features during ‘Plateau’ and ‘Oh Me’ respectively, it was a performance to be respected for its alluring complexity.”