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 Nambucca, Urunga, Bonville, Sawtell, Woolgoolga, Mullaway, Arrawarra, Corindi, Nana Glen, Glenreagh 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 4 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    Wilma Romero                  (02)6653 4202
Board member       Betty Bailey                      (02)6652 3642

Conductor from 31 Jan 2013    Tim Egan                           0418 515 617                  
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, Harp
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, Xylophone, Glockenspiel etc.
Untuned Percussion – Drums, Cymbals, triangles, tambourines etc. 

The Conductor
Coffs Orchestra has been led by conductor Peter Kaukiainen until recently and he has shaped and managed strong growth in orchestra numbers making a great contribution to the quality of performances and the enjoyment of orchestra members before he moved on in October 2012.    Our assistant conductor has been young Dylan Quinlan-Baskett who has ability and confidence and a command of the orchestra well beyond his age. Like Peter Kaukiainen he is able to play many instruments and has most recently been percussionist and french horn player for the orchestra.  We are also proud to have constant and reliable support from assistant conductor Aditya van der Meulen who has a depth of experience playing and conducting orchestras in both Europe and Australia and plays flute and bassoon at a very high standard.  Aditya takes the orchestra often at both rehearsals and concerts and improves our sound on every occasion.  In 2013 Dylan will be moving to Melbourne to further his musical career and the fabulous Tim Egan will be taking on the role of conductor for us for 2013.  Tim has played in the orchestra in years gone by and has conducted us on occasion in the past.  He is a first class trumpet player and teacher with broad musical experience having conducted musicals and musical ensembles in the past.  We are very pleased to have him back on board.