Encore FEBRUARY 2016 THE NEWSLETTER FOR WASO PATRONS & FRIENDS. WASO Philanthropy Team Contact Details:

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1 Encore THE NEWSLETTER FOR WASO PATRONS & FRIENDS FEBRUARY 2016 Left to Right: Megan Lo Surdo, Jane Clare, Alecia Benzie & Sarah Tompkin. WELCOME TO 2016! We are delighted to introduce you to our WASO Philanthropy team for Philanthropic partnerships are a fundamental part of WASO and we feel privileged to get to know such a wonderful community of individuals, trusts and foundations who support what we do through their donations. Most of you will know Alecia and Jane and some of you will have met the newest members of our team, Megan and Sarah who have both formerly worked with WASO. Megan worked with Craig Whitehead, as his Executive Assistant and later coordinated events for the Corporate Development team. More recently Megan could be found at Perth Concert Hall managing the reception. Megan joined WASO Philanthropy late last year and looks after processing all of our donations (a huge task!) as well as our schedule of wonderful events. bequestors. Sarah also previously worked for both Craig and Alecia before leaving to live in Germany and spend time with her family. Sarah left with a husband and beautiful baby, Maxime and has returned with an additional beautiful little girl, Philomene. We are thrilled to welcome Megan and Sarah to WASO Philanthropy this year. We also work closely with our volunteer community who generously provide their time in the Concert Hall and in the office. Leading the way, are our volunteer Patrons & Friends Committee who assist with creating a number of events each year that raise funds for the Friends of WASO Scholarship, providing professional development opportunities for our musicians. The Committee also assists in volunteering at a number of other WASO Philanthropy events throughout the year and we are grateful for their support. WASO Philanthropy Team Contact Details: Alecia Benzie Executive Manager, Philanthropy benziea@waso.com.au Sarah Tompkin Planned Giving Manager tompkins@waso.com.au Jane Clare Fundraising & Philanthropy Manager janec@waso.com.au Megan Lo Surdo Philanthropy & Events Coordinator losurdom@waso.com.au Sarah Tompkin started this month again with WASO and is in a new role that will focus on planned giving and our community of We all look forward to seeing you at a WASO concert or at one of our WASO Philanthropy events this year. February 2016 Encore 1

2 Celebrating Ten Years of Annual Giving Pins for WASO Patrons 2016 Patrons & Friends Events We are delighted to reveal our calendar of events for WASO s community of Patrons & Friends in MARCH Each year we celebrate and recognise those individuals who have made contributions to WASO for ten years since the commencement of our Annual Giving program in In 2016 we are proud to acknowledge the following Patrons: Catherine Bagster David & Suzanne Biddles Gavin Bunning Betty Barker Gay & Bob Branchi Hon June Craig AM Stephen Davis & Linda Savage Gilbert George Graham & Barbara Goulden Deidre Greenfeld Alan Harvey & Dr Paulien de Boer Lilian & Roger Jennings Dr Patricia Kailis Noelle & Anthony Keller AM Rosalind Lilley S.B. Monger-Hay Pamela Platt Thomas & Diana Potter Alpha & Richard Pilpel OAM Joshua & Pamela Pitt James & Nicola Ridsdill-Smith Judith E Shaw Mary Townsend Ros Thomson Janet Williams Jean & Ian Williams AO Anonymous (3) Thank you for your ten years of giving. Your ongoing support is deeply appreciated. We are very lucky to have had these lovely pins designed and crafted specially for WASO Patrons by The Perth Mint. We have been presenting these pins to our Patrons as a small token of our thanks for a number of years. Many of our Patrons wear their pin to WASO concerts and other events, and some have even modified their pin to include a diamond, or to hang on a necklace. It is a great conversation starter and helps spread the word about supporting your Orchestra. If you are a Patron but have not received your pin and would like one, please let Jane know so we can arrange to get one to you. You can contact Jane on or janec@waso.com.au. WASO Philanthropy Partner An Afternoon withwaso s Principal Conductor Asher Fisch and Concertmaster Laurence Jackson Sunday 20 March, 2pm Perth Concert Hall Corner Stage St George s Terrace Level WASO s newly-appointed Concertmaster Laurence Jackson and Principal Conductor & Artistic Adviser Asher Fisch will treat Patrons & Friends to a wonderful afternoon of music and stories from their lives and careers. Interviewed by Evan Kennea, WASO s Executive Manager of Artistic Planning, get to know Laurence as he commences his tenure with WASO. Having now settled in Perth after his previous position as Concertmaster of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, hear his and Maestro Fisch s vision for the Orchestra in 2016 and beyond. The afternoon will feature a special performance by Asher and Laurence and will give you the rare opportunity to talk with these two leaders of the Orchestra over a glass of wine and nibbles. Tickets are $45 for Patrons & Friends ($55 for guests). Asher Fisch appears courtesy of Wesfarmers Arts 2 Encore February 2016

3 MAY OCT DEC Patrons & Friends General Meeting Monday 9 May, 5pm-6pm Perth Concert Hall Corner Stage St George s Terrace Level The 11th annual General Meeting of WASO Patrons & Friends will be held prior to our Meet the Chief Executive event later in the evening. Further details will be available on the WASO website soon. QUIZ N I G H T Meet the Chief Executive Monday 9 May, 6pm-7.30pm Perth Concert Hall Corner Stage St George s Terrace Level Following the 2016 Patrons & Friends General Meeting, join us over a glass of wine and cheese and enjoy a short recital by previous recipients of the Friends of WASO Scholarship, before WASO s Chief Executive Craig Whitehead presents a fascinating lecture: Do Symphony Orchestras have a Future?. In late 2015 Craig was invited to deliver the prestigious Callaway Lecture at the University of Western Australia, which was so wellreceived that we asked him to share his insights with the wider WASO community. This is sure to be a thought-provoking and inspiring evening, considering the challenges and opportunities that orchestras face in a fast-changing world. Don t miss this opportunity to be inspired by Craig Whitehead s vision as he leads your Orchestra into the future. Tickets are $15 for Patrons & Friends ($20 for guests). 10K Musical Quiz Night Friday 28 October 7.30pm Perth Concert Hall Wardle Room Plans for the much-anticipated 10K Musical Quiz Night are underway and will be hosted by the infectiously enthusiastic team of beloved former WASO Principal Percussion Tim White and conductor, ABC presenter and allround musical guru Prue Ashurst. This quiz night with a difference is aiming to raise $10,000 for WASO and will include interactive musical questions, door prizes and a silent auction featuring beautiful jewellery from The Perth Mint and WASO experiences that money can t buy! Invite your friends and brush up on your music trivia for an entertaining evening with WASO musicians and staff. Tickets are $50 per head and include a provision of wine, non-alcoholic drinks and light food for each table. Tables seat a maximum of 10 quizzers, so either purchase your ticket as an individual for a lucky dip brains trust table, or get your own team together and make one booking through the WASO Box Office stating all team member names. Patrons & Friends Christmas Party Thursday 8 December, 4.30pm Perth Concert Hall Join WASO Patrons & Friends, staff and musicians to celebrate another wonderful year of music-making at the annual Christmas Party. Get a sneak preview of the final WASO performance for 2016 as we watch an hour of rehearsal for the special tenth anniversary City of Perth Symphony in the City with guest conductor Guy Noble, before mingling with WASO musicians over a light dinner and drinks. Tickets are $45 for Patrons & Friends ($55 for guests). Tickets for these events can be purchased by calling the WASO Box Office on , and all proceeds support the Friends of WASO Scholarship, providing professional development opportunities for WASO musicians. February 2016 Encore 3

4 On Tour with the Australian World Orchestra in India Troy with students from the Mehli Mehta Foundation he tutored for a Toy Symphony performance in Mumbai. They totally nailed it and everyone loved them! Members of the AWO with children at the Mayapuri slum colony. Formed in 2011, the Australian World Orchestra brings together the finest Australian musicians representing over fifty Australian and international orchestras for an annual concert season. In 2015 the AWO was invited by renowned conductor Maestro Zubin Mehta to tour his home country of India, making them the first Australian orchestra to visit the region. Three WASO musicians were invited to join this prestigious tour Principal Double Bass Andrew Sinclair, Associate Principal Bassoon Adam Mikulicz, and Associate Principal Percussion & Timpani Troy Greatz performing five concerts in Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi in October In addition to the mainstage concerts, Troy Greatz was involved in some very special education and outreach programs with the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation, and he got in touch to share his experiences of life on tour in India. Troy and three other AWO musicians arrived in India five days before the rest of the Orchestra to develop and rehearse their education performance which tells the story of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, set to Western music including excerpts from Rimsky-Korsakov s Scheherezade and Holst s The Planets. They performed this show and ran seven workshops in schools and slums around the country, working with both classical instrument students and children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Troy says, it was a life-changing, humbling, confronting experience meeting these lovely people who are living in appalling conditions of poverty that you couldn t even have imagined. Troy described the busy schedule of the tour and the efforts of performing and travelling every day for two full weeks. He vividly remembers one particular day running a workshop in a small classroom with forty children and ten parents in 38 degree heat and 98% humidity! However, they were motivated by the impact their music had on those they met. Even though our show was in English, the students all seemed to grasp the story well and enjoy the music. In Chennai we were told a group of Tamil kids drove for five hours on a bus from their slum just to attend our concert! When asked about his personal highlight of the tour, Troy couldn t pick just one. Performing under a conductor of Maestro Mehta s calibre for a second time was certainly special, after Troy had previously taken part in the AWO concert Mehta conducted in Another highlight was that the food was incredible! All your senses are heightened in India, and you couldn t help but over-eat. Finally, Troy described a deeply-moving experience at the Mumbai orchestral concert when a group of young violin students from the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation, who had only been learning their instruments for two months, came on stage and played the Australian national anthem to the Orchestra by ear an unforgettable moment that captured the joys of cross-cultural musical exchanges. Thanks to Troy for sharing his experiences of touring India! Musical instruments at a bazaar in New Delhi. The Australian World Orchestra in India, with a note from Maestro Mehta. Can you spot the WASO musicians? 4 Encore February 2016

5 Your Experience. Your Donation. Your Orchestra. When asked the question, you most likely already know why you love WASO. It might be because you enjoy the feeling of being emotionally moved, uplifted or inspired by live performances; it might be because concerts offer you the chance to spend time with your friends and family; or maybe you enjoy the peace and calm that music can bring. Perhaps you love WASO because you, like us, believe in the life-changing musical opportunities we offer children, young and emerging artists, and regional communities. It might be all of these wonderful things. As a supporter, we want to thank you for your donations that help build a strong and vibrant Orchestra and enable us to continue producing beautiful music for many thousands of people at Perth Concert Hall, in schools, hospitals and communities across Western Australia. Ongoing philanthropic support is critical and your donations help give those who may not have had it otherwise, the opportunity to discover what WASO and the experience of live classical music might mean to them. This year we invite you to become, or renew as, a WASO Patron by making a donation to our 2016 Annual Giving campaign. Those who give $500 or more in a year (including regular monthly donations of $42 or more) are recognised as Patrons and enjoy opportunities to experience the Orchestra from different perspectives not just from the auditorium through invitations to exclusive Patron-only events, getting to know our musicians and receiving regular updates. Patrons are gratefully acknowledged in our Masters and Classics Series concert programs and on the website, unless anonymity is requested. It is an exciting time to be a part of our Patron community and to know you have made a difference to help us touch souls and enrich lives through music. The WASO Philanthropy program is a wonderful way for Patrons to support their Orchestra. Philanthropy at WASO is so much more than giving to an organisation you love. It is joining in partnership with this wonderful Orchestra to continue sharing the joy of music throughout Western Australia. Asher Fisch, Principal Conductor and Artistic Adviser. Need more information or want to join our community? If you wish to become a Patron, increase or renew your gift, please complete and return the donation form at the back of the edition of Encore, or contact Jane Clare on or janec@waso.com.au. Alternatively, you can donate via EFT (details on the donation form on back page) or log in and make a donation online at waso.com.au. You can also make a donation at the Box Office or with your ticket purchases. All donations over $2 are fully tax deductible. Regular Giving You can now give regular donations to WASO and support your Orchestra on an ongoing basis. Regular donations are simple and easy to set up, and every donation helps, no matter how big or small. A monthly donation of $42 means that you would be acknowledged as a Patron. Your chosen amount is automatically debited from your credit card and you can choose to give every month, 3 months, 6 months or annually. Your regular donation is secure and can be changed, paused or cancelled at any time. At the end of the financial year you will receive a receipt for your contributions. Connect with WASO online! There have never been more ways to experience WASO, wherever you are across our vast state, country or globe. We love to connect with our community of supporters online. Join over 11,000 others and like us on Facebook to keep in touch with your Orchestra. Go to facebook.com/ Are you one of our 2,800 followers on Twitter? Follow us at twitter.com/_waso_ for all the latest WASO news. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and watch exclusive interviews, performances and bonus clips! Head to youtube. com/westaustsymorchestra. We are now on Instagram! Follow us at com/_waso_/ to get an exclusive look at what goes on behind the scenes. February 2016 Encore 5

6 Fundraising for WASO s Community Engagement & Education Programs A festive Patrons & Friends Committee President Robyn Glindemann collecting donations. The ninth annual City of Perth Symphony in the City in December 2015 was a joyful and relaxing way to finish the WASO calendar. Our WASO volunteers were out in force helping the event come together on the night, and we would particularly like to thank the ten volunteers who assisted the Philanthropy team in collecting donations from the crowd as the sun set before the concert. As well as raising a record $3,866 for WASO s Community Engagement and Education programs, these volunteers raised awareness for WASO s outreach work by talking to many of the 20,000 attendees about what the Orchestra does in addition to the main stage concerts. Our thanks to everyone involved! Music Lovers Tours WASO and The Beijing Music Festival 7 14 October 2016 (8 days) Plus Autumn Highlights of China with Tour Leader One of the highlights of the Chinese cultural calendar is the Beijing Music Festival, held annually in October. Under the baton of Principal Conductor Asher Fisch, the West Australian Symphony Orchestra has been invited to perform at the 2016 Festival with acclaimed pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet. WASO supporters and music lovers alike are invited to join the Orchestra on tour in China and enjoy a week of fine music by WASO and other great international orchestras, ensembles and soloists at the prestigious Beijing Music Festival. Before and after, extend your stay in China with a choice of optional tours. Enjoy a week in Beijing including return flights on Singapore Airlines Attend a WASO concert, plus three other Beijing Music Festival performances Discover the fascinating historical, political and cultural capital of China with a comprehensive sightseeing programme Optional pre-tour to Chengde and the Great Wall. Optional post-tour to the garden cities of Hangzhou and Suzhou Book before 31 March and save $250 Damien Beaumont Tour Leader Damien Beaumont joined the ABC in 1999 after completing music studies in Australia and England. He presents ABC Classic FM s show Afternoons. His popular programs have seen the release of three CDs, including Damien reading some of Percy Grainger s letters. Damien hosts many of the network s direct broadcasts from Sydney Opera House and other concert venues around Australia. He is in demand as a Master of Ceremonies, guest speaker and performing narrator, and has presented concerts and events on ABC TV. For more information and to book, call Renaissance Tours on or visit renaissancetours.com.au 6 Encore February 2016

7 An Evening with World Artist Ingrid Fliter Ingrid Fliter performs at Fraser s. Asher Fisch and Mark Coughlan in conversation. Assistant Concertmaster Semra Lee-Smith and violinist Ellie Lawrence. Ingrid Fliter with Patrons. The annual World Artist Dinner is a highlight of the calendar of events for WASO Patrons, and 2015 s dinner with brilliant Argentinian pianist Ingrid Fliter at Fraser s Restaurant was special in several ways. In addition to Philanthropic Patrons and WASO Board Members, 2015 s event saw guests from WASO s Corporate Partners as well as Parliamentarians including John Day, Minister for the Arts, and Mark McGowan, Leader of the Opposition, attend. To complete the group, twenty WASO musicians we invited, with at least one musician on each table providing them the opportunity to get to know our supporters and vice versa. After drinks and canapés on Fraser s lawn, WASO Chief Executive Craig Whitehead introduced Chairman Janet Holmes à Court AC, who gave a warm welcome to all, especially to Maestro Asher Fisch who had arrived back in Perth to conduct the final Masters and Classics concerts of 2015, both of which featured the guest artist of honour, Ingrid Fliter. As guests enjoyed their entrées, Board member (and fellow pianist!) Mark Coughlan spoke with Asher who gave his thoughts on his vision for WASO s future in light of his tenure renewal until 2019, and also revealed his highlights of the coming season including the exciting tour to China in October When talking to the musicians on the night, it was clear that the Orchestra responds particularly well to Maestro Fisch s direction and greatly respects his musical knowledge and authority. During the main course the air became filled with some beautiful music from the piano near the windows overlooking Perth city, as Ingrid introduced herself to the evening most appropriately with the music of Chopin. Mark Coughlan then took the stage with Ingrid, encouraging her to tell the audience about the path of her life which led her to becoming a world-renowned artist. Born into a musical family in Buenos Aires, Ingrid gave her first public recital at the age of eleven. At eighteen, she made the bold move to Europe, firstly studying in Germany and then moving on to Rome and then Imola in Italy. She found learning new languages and being so far from home challenging, but spoke of how she moved beyond her initial fears to allow her career as a soloist to flourish. Today Ingrid is recognised as one of the great interpreters of Chopin, having won the silver medal at the International Frederick Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw in 2000 and also becoming the fifth (and first female) recipient of the 2006 Gilmore Artist Award. Ingrid currently lives in Italy near beautiful Lake Como with her husband, clarinettist Anton Dressler, who was also present at the dinner. It was his first visit to Perth whereas Ingrid has visited twice previously to perform with WASO. Currently, Ingrid enjoys a busy career on the international concert scene and also enjoys teaching her approach to pedagogy being that teachers must not think they can provide all the answers to students, but rather take the opportunity to make contribution to their playing, as Ingrid demonstrated so well two years ago when she conducted a masterclass with WASO for piano students in Perth. Our thanks to Fraser s Restaurant and Chef Chris Taylor for once again providing a superb meal and setting for this wonderful event. As Janet Holmes à Court AC said at the start of the night, the outlook from Fraser s over Perth at twilight is very hard to beat. Our thanks to Patrons & Friends Committee Vice-President Barry Neubecker for this report. Asher Fisch appears courtesy of Wesfarmers Arts Ingrid Fliter appears courtesy of Singapore Airlines February 2016 Encore 7

8 I wish to support my Orchestra Please indicate the level at which you wish to donate: Principal Conductor s Circle $20,000+ Virtuoso Patron $2,500 $4,999 Impresario Patron $10,000 $19,999 Principal Patron $1,000 $2,499 Maestro Patron $5,000 $9,999 Tutti Patron $500 $999 Friend $40 $499 Please confirm your contact details: Mr Mrs Ms Other (please specify)... First Name... Surname... Address... Suburb... State... Postcode... Phone (day)... Phone (night)... Mobile My Gift to WASO: A donation of $... OR A regular donation of $... every month every 3 months every 6 months every 12 months Regular donations are only available with credit card. Payment Method: I wish to pay by Credit Card Visa Mastercard Amex No CVV Code (3 digit number on reverse of Visa/Mastercard or 4 digit number on front of AMEX card) Cardholder s Name... Exp Date... /... Signature... Cheque / Money Order (please make payable to West Australian Symphony Orchestra ) I have made a donation by Electronic Funds Transfer (WASO HOLDINGS: BSB: ACCT#: ) If making a funds transfer, please put your surname and DONATION in the description line, return this completed form or janec@waso.com.au advising a donation has been made. I have donated online via waso.com.au Please contact me regarding payment options Thank you for your support of WASO All donations of $500 and over are acknowledged in WASO concert programs and on the website, unless anonymity is requested. I prefer my donation to be acknowledged in WASO concert programs as: name(s)... I prefer my donation to remain anonymous. Please send me information on making a bequest to WASO in my Will. Your enquiry will be treated in confidence. I have already made a bequest to WASO. Please send this form to WASO Philanthropy, PO Box 3041, East Perth, WA, For more information, contact Jane Clare on or janec@waso.com.au. WASO respects your privacy. You can view our privacy policy at waso.com.au. All donations over $2 are fully tax deductible. ABN WASO Philanthropy is partnered by The Perth Mint. OFFICE USE ONLY DATE RECEIVED:... DATE POSTED:... 8 Encore February 2016