A family takes a selfie before Paul Rissmann’s interactive concert, Leon and the Place Between. Photographer: Daniel James Grant.

WASO performs to young and old

Last month, the West Australian Symphony Orchestra engaged with more than ten thousand individuals on the mainstage and in the WA community with a focus on new works, emerging artists and educational activities.

WASO’s busy month of engagements comes off the back of the release of the organisation’s 2021 Annual Report, which highlights how more than 4.3 million people experienced WASO live on stage, in the community, on TV and online across the year, despite 75% of mainstage activities being impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.

Small ensembles visited Education Support Centres in Aveley and Armadale, performing music to accompany the words of Noongar author Theresa Walley’s book Yok Waarkal Wer Yondok (Rainbow Serpent and Crocodile), before visiting aged care homes in High Wycombe and Helena Valley to play opera, ragtime and classical favourites.

WASO’s String Quartet performs at Helena Valley Lifestyle Village.

WASO’s Composition Project saw emerging local composers premiere four new works for chamber ensemble, in a cumulation of months of workshops and score refinement.

World-renowned animateur and Education Artist in Residence Paul Rissmann presented two interactive concerts for primary school students and families, before community musicians from across Perth and regional Western Australia gathered to sit side-by-side with WASO musicians on stage at Perth Concert Hall creating The Rusty Orchestra.

This fantastic community program is set to be featured in an upcoming episode of ABC TV’s Art Works, to be released in the coming weeks.