Members Info

Contact Details for Coffs Harbour City Orchestra Committee

President:              Brian Holden                (02)6654 4024
Vice President       Rosemary Lloyd          (02)6655 1341
Secretary               Pamela Fayle               (02)6654 7700
Treasurer               David Fayle                 (02)6654 7700
Librarian                Judie Bartley                (02)6655 1015
Publicity Officer    Mart Meulenbroeks      (02)6653 2402
Conductor              Sjoerd van der Meulen (02)6655 0510

Current Members of the Orchestra

Conductor         Sjoerd van der Meulen ;

Assistant
Conductor          Aditya van der Meulen

Violins               Ruth Egan, Joy Griffin (on leave), Una Lynch, Sonia Ellem, Nerida Lee, Robyn
                           Coulton, Pamela Fayle, Margaret Spark,  Alicia Kaminsky, Kyle 
                           Tomlinson, Sarah Tomlinson, Clare Abbotts, Carolyn Ryan (occasional guest violinists
                           Barbara Trist and Barbara Crosby)
Violas                 Ruth Egan, David Fayle, Courtney Collins,   
Cellos                 Betty Bailey, Stephanie Abbott
Double Bass      currently vacant

Piccolo               Courtney Collins, 
Flute                  Rosa Fowler, Courtney Collins, Melanie Stead, Mark Hoza 
                       
Clarinet             Patrina Lee, Gay Manolidis, Mart Meulenbroeks,   
                           Varelle Bennett, Blake Cutler, Leslie Fitzgerald 
Bass Clarinet    Mary Brabrook
Saxophone         Tony Morales, Gay Manolidis 
Oboe                  currently vacant (Sue Taylor and Hazel Buchanen are occasional guest oboists)
Bassoon             Rosemary Lloyd, Aditya van der Meulen

Trumpet             Rudi Strating, Dylan Quinlan-Baskett, Robert Greenfield
Trombone          Bill Vitnell, 
French Horn      Rex Hardingham, John Fowler

Percussion         Judy Bartley, Lionel Stead, Dylan Quinlan-Baskett
Piano                  Wilma Romero
Keyboard           Brian Holden

What we Expect of You

You will need to have your own instrument and music stand. Orchestra chairs are provided for practices and performances.  Otherwise, all we expect is that you play to the best of your ability and let us know when you can’t be at rehearsals or performances. Don’t feel guilty about this. If your life commitments mean you can’t be there, good – you’ll return refreshed and happy. If you feel the part you have been given to play is beyond your current ability, let the conductor know and we will arrange one that will suit you.    

Orchestra members pay an annual fee to cover costs such as insurance, performers association memberships and the cost of hiring, buying and copying music (this can be paid up front or in flexible installments or acquitted by means of fund raising). Students enjoy a 50% discount on their membership fee and an annual scholarship to encourage a young player covers their annual fee in full.  There is also a family discount when more than one member of a family plays in the orchestra. New players are not charged membership fee for  the first 6 months while they check out whether they wish to continue.

What you can Expect of Us

Mixing with a group of talented musicians who have a passion for great music - getting to play music that has shaped our civilization is also a big plus! Getting the buzz of playing Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven and other greats is also a good feel. These guys really knew what music was all about. Bringing real music to people in the Coffs area – when they hear it, they love it. Plus, you will actually learn a lot about music through all of this. 

Orchestra members are not paid for their performances, this is a Community Orchestra.  We often perform for the community at little or no fee but where we charge entrance, the takings are used to pay for venue hire and  advertising, buy necessary equipment, supplement costs of buying or renting musical scores (expensive) and to pay guest soloists or co-performers where appropriate.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals are held from 7-9pm every Thursday (except over the Christmas/January holiday break) at the O Block Lecture Theatre at the CHEC Campus in Hogbin Drive Coffs Harbour.  Please try to be there and set up  by 7 pm for tuning. If you’re late don’t worry – just fit in as best you can, not all of us are time-freaks.

Practising

Pleeeeeeeease practise your parts if you find them difficult. Your part, however unimportant you may think it is, is actually very important.

Performances

We play for performances as the opportunities occur. Most concerts are in school and church halls or club venues, but we also occasionally play outdoors where there is appropriate shelter for instruments (eg at the Botanic Gardens). Advance notice of performances are notified on this website.  If you can’t be there, it is absolutely essential that you tell the conductor in advance. Dress for performances is all black.