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:              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
Board member      Betty Bailey                       (02)6652 3642

Conductor from 2011   Peter Kaukiainen               0432 497 864
Assistant Conductor   Aditya van der Meulen       (02)6655 0510             

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 – Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone (alto sax, tenor sax and soprano sax), Bass Clarinet, Bassoon
Brass – Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Euphonium, Tuba
Tuned Percussion – Timpani, Piano, Glockenspiel etc.
Untuned Percussion – Drums, Cymbals etc. 

The Conductor

Coffs Orchestra is currently being led by conductor Peter Kaukiainen.  If there is an instrument Peter does not play, we have not found it yet.  Peter is well known in Coffs music circles for his work as musical director of a number of musical theatre productions at Jetty theatre.  He also teaches music at St Augustines and brings youth and enthusiasm as well as musical expertise to the role.