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

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.

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.

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
Interim Conductor      Sjoerd van der Meulen       (02)6655 0510

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.

CONDUCTOR: Sjoerd van der Meulen
Sjoerd was born in the province of Friesland in the north of The Netherlands. His first serious occupation with music began with an appointment as regular church organist at the age of twelve. His involvement with church music, either as cantor and choir master or organist, runs as a central line though his diverse career.

He majored in Organ and Schoolmusic from the Conservatorium of Utrecht (The Netherlands) and, after that, studied conducting with Alfred Salten. Given his early interest in (what was then called) ethno musicology, he took up an opportunity to enter into a contract with the Government of Surinam (S-Am) to teach music at various school levels, with a specific brief to assist shaping the newly established tertiary music faculty. Sjoerd’s experience in innovative music-educational methodology then called him to Aruba (in the Carribean) as director of the Conservatorio Arubano and Adviser to the Skol di Arte for the equally interesting and demanding task of reorganising the Conservatorium in view of the anticipated independence of the island.

After this mission, he and his wife Aditya felt the need to return to Holland, mainly for the education of their three children and so that Aditya could finish her degree in Flute. Sjoerd studied Pedagogy and Philosophy part time and taught music for eight years at a Teachers Training College. This could not wipe out the fond memories of space and climate experienced in the tropics so it was decided to move to Australia. Sjoerd took up teaching positions at some secondary schools before moving onto tertiary education again, teaching mostly theoretical and historical courses as well as conducting at two Universities in Melbourne, while adhering to his creed of ‘education permanente’, by enrolling in postgraduate Organ Performance and Musicology. In most recent years, teaching voice/singing and piano privately has been a greatly satisfying occupation.

Throughout the years, working with various choirs and orchestras has lead to some memorable performances of diverse repertoire, including own compositions. Organ recitals, often with Aditya on Flute, have been recurrent highlights. Sjoerd’s main hobbies are woodworking and European literature; he has given up on off-road explorations with his landbruiser (sic!) to the relief of intimi and the environment. He loves living in the Bellinger Valley and has been seen saluting the black and white Friesian cows of his homeland !!!….