Conductor Rohan Phillips will direct Bendigo Symphony Orchestra for the final time on Sunday after 10 years at the helm.
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Since 2008, Phillips has conducted almost 40 concerts that include more than 130 works.
“The 10 years has been good but it’s time for the orchestra to look where it is going and get someone new. I’m happy with my decision,” he said.
“The orchestra is in good shape and some of the things we have done recently like the Castlemaine State Festival and the Bendigo International Festival of Exploratory Music have shown how the landscape has changed over 10 years, it’s a really exciting time.”
The orchestra presented its final concert for the year at St Paul’s Cathedral with the program will featuring Beethoven’s Coriolan overture and Brahms’ First Symphony.
Local soprano Brenda McDougall joined the orchestra for arias by Wagner, Handel and Mozart.
The orchestra’s November concert was also the final one with Marjorie Sutton in the role of concertmaster.
Phillips said working with the many members of the orchestra would be a fond memory.
“They’re a good group and a good community,” he said. “That's something I’m keen to emphasise.
“It’s not just about trying to be the best orchestra. A good orchestra is a mini community where people bring different skills and get together to achieve something.”
Phillips said it was business as usual for the orchestra in the lead up to the concert.
“There was not much time for reflection,” he said. “There’s always a lot of work to be done in the last couple of weeks leading up to a concert.
“But I did remember the first concert we did in St Paul’s before it officially reopened. It wasn’t finished but to come back and play in that space was pretty special.”
Phillips will continue in his role as conductor of the St Paul’s Choir.
“It will be nice to think about what opportunities are out there and I am hoping to hoping to put a bit more focus on my composing,” he said.
Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for concession and $10 for secondary students.
For more details you can find the Bendigo Symphony Orchestra on Facebook.
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