Orchestra Profile

 Ever Thought of Joining Your Local Orchestra? 
Do you play an instrument, been learning a few years or just getting back to it after a long break???
Come along, have fun and improve your skill with others... 
contact a committee member (phone numbers below) or just come along to practices
7-9pm Thursdays at O Block Lecture theatre, Coffs Harbour Educational Campus, Hogbin Drive

Orchestra History

Coffs Harbour City Orchestra began its life in 1979 when started up by its first conductor Danny Cowan.  Since then it has waxed and waned but continues to attract local amateurs and has recently undergone considerable expansion. The Orchestra has members ranging in age from teenagers to players in their seventies.  Players are drawn from the local community encompassing not only Coffs Harbour but also Urunga, Woolgoolga, Arrawarra, Ulong and Bellingen areas.  Some members drive 40-odd  kilometres to practice each week.

Orchestra Business

The orchestra is incorporated as an association and complies with the requirements administered by the Department of Fair Trading.  Business is managed by a Committee elected at the annual general meeting each March. The Committee meets around 6 times a year depending on requirements. Orchestra Members can ask Committee members to raise issues on their behalf and the Committee can ask orchestra members to join the discussion of particular items.

Current Coffs Harbour City Orchestra Committee

President:              Rosemary Lloyd          (02)6655 1341
Vice President       Brian Holden               (02)6654 4024
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              Greg Ellsmore              (02)6656 2872

Orchestra Structure

The orchestra is made up of 5 sections (see members info button on this site for a list of current members)

Strings – Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass
Woodwind – Flute (piccolo), Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon, Bass Clarinet
Brass – Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Tuba
Tuned Percussion – Timpani, Piano, Glockenspiel etc.
Untuned Percussion – Drums, Cymbals etc. 

The Conductor

The main purpose of the conductor is to make sure that everybody plays as part of the team – a pretty difficult job because most of us think we know better!  His main role is constructive criticism – i.e. not just saying it’s wrong, but telling you how to fix it. His other role is to shape the music so that it reflects the overall intention of the composer.

Greg Ellsmore is the current conductor.  He is a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney (organ, voice and flute) and also holds diplomas ATCL (organ)  A.Mus.A (piano) as well as Diploma in Church Music. Past appointments have included Director of the NSW Police Choir, Conductor Waverley Philharmonic Orchestra and the Sydney Conservatorium Franz Liszt Choir. Teaching appointments have included Director of Music at Chevalier College Bowral and Knox Grammar School, Wahroonga. His current interests include changing the world while walking on the beach and getting his dog to behave appropriately as well as making this a damn good orchestra.