Celebrating Willoughby Symphony Orchestra

The Willoughby Symphony Orchestra has been entertaining the community for 60 years

Music lovers delight when the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra (WSO) performs at the Pat Reilly Concert Hall at the Chatswood Concourse. What began as a community orchestra has grown to become one of Australia’s oldest and most celebrated orchestras, says Nicholas Milton, chief conductor and artistic director of the WSO. “Now it’s recognised as the finest community orchestra in the country,” he says. The WSO, which is managed by Willoughby City Council, is currently celebrating its 60th birthday.

“The way we present concerts is open, joyful and engaged,” Nicholas says, adding that audiences get to know the personalities involved in the orchestra. “There’s a real visceral exchange of joy.”

Nicholas first played violin in the orchestra while at high school and has a 40 year association with the WSO, becoming the chief conductor of the orchestra in 2001. He now lives in Germany where he is the artistic director and chief conductor of the Göttingen Symphony Orchestra but returns to Australia ‘three to four times a year’ to conduct the WSO.

Chief Conductor Nicholas Milton

The orchestra at the old Chatswood Town Hall in 1986

“It’s a unique orchestra,” he says. “An orchestra that’s supported by council with the function to bring, through music, joy and enlightenment and a sense of community into our society.”

The WSO is made up of around 80 musicians, who together deliver an annual concert series which encompasses orchestral classics, film music, and family-oriented productions. “It’s an extremely versatile group of musicians,” he says. “They elect to do this, and they do it because they come together as a big family to create moments of beauty.”

The WSO has also helped to foster new talent with its Young Composer Award, which for 20 years has given young composers an opportunity to have their pieces played by a full orchestra.

The WSO will perform Last Night of the Proms on 8 and 9 August, conducted by Nicholas, in honour of their 60th anniversary season. The WSO will then follow on with three more concerts to round out the year, including Hymn of Praise on 27 September, led by associate conductor Sarah Penicka-Smith.

“We’re trying to always expand the program to reach as many different demographics as we can,” Nicholas says. “There’s a lot of people who are passionate music lovers on the North Shore.”

For more information, visit willoughbysymphony.com.au