The Bendigo Symphony Orchestra is preparing for two big weeks of music.
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Local musicians will take part in workshops with Orchestra Victoria this week before playing in the Bendigo International Festival of Exploratory Music for the first time on September 4.
Bendigo Symphony Orchestra musical director Rohan Phillips said both events were great opportunities for the group.
“The Orchestra Victoria workshops are really popular with the players and the orchestra gets a lot out of it,” Mr Phillips said.
“It is a regular part of our schedule, we have been doing things with them for about five or six years.”
Hints and tips from the professional musicians will also help Bendigo Symphony Orchestra prepare for their November 13 concert.
After the workshops, the orchestra will turn its focus to BIFEM where it performs with Swiss brothers Andre and Michel Decosterd.
The Swiss brothers are behind Cod.Act, which will bring the 40-piece orchestra to life using light patterns triggered by the musical patterns being played by the orchestra.
It will be the first time the Bendigo Symphony Orchestra will perform at BIFEM.
“It is great to be part of BIFEM. I personally think the festival is fantastic for Bendigo and it is great to have the Bendigo Symphony Orchestra involved,” Mr Phillips said.
“(BIFEM driector) David Chisholm has certainly been a great support of the orchestra.
“He has been to our concerts regularly and was keen to work with local musicians. It was just a matter of finding the right piece that we could bring off.”
Outside of rehearsing the music, the orchestra won’t get a feel of the atmosphere created by the lighting effects until their rehearse with Cod.Act next week.
“I have seen a couple of clips on YouTube and it looks stunning. It will be quite a spectacular show,” Mr Phillips said.
“We are getting it together gradually but will have a big week of rehearsals next week.
“The nature of the piece is that most of the work happens on stage, so it will come together the week of BIFEM.”