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| Willoughby Symphony Orchestra |
Music lovers across Sydney’s North Shore have plenty to look forward to with the announcement of the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra’s ambitious 2027 Season, bringing world-class soloists, celebrated orchestral masterpieces, Australian compositions, choral works and family concerts to Chatswood.
The 2027 Season was officially launched on Sunday 9 August 2026 at The Concourse, Chatswood, by Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Professor Dr Nicholas Milton AM.
Performing at its home in the Pat Reilly Concert Hall at The Concourse, the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra will present a diverse program designed to appeal to long-standing classical music enthusiasts as well as audiences discovering the orchestra for the first time.
The season promises an exciting combination of Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Vaughan Williams, Sibelius, Respighi and Carl Orff, alongside new Australian music, internationally acclaimed soloists and productions created especially for younger audiences.
The Willoughby Symphony Orchestra has deep roots in the local community and was established in 1966. In 2026, the orchestra celebrates its 60th anniversary and continues to be recognised for performances of professional calibre and exceptional artistic quality.
Fate opens the 2027 concert season
The 2027 season begins in February with Fate, bringing together two monumental works from the orchestral repertoire.
Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 will feature internationally acclaimed pianist Konstantin Shamray, whose performances have earned widespread recognition for their technical brilliance and expressive intensity.
The concerto will be paired with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, one of the Russian composer’s most dramatic and emotionally powerful symphonies.
Together, these works promise a compelling opening to the new season, combining virtuoso piano playing with the sweeping drama of the symphonic repertoire.
Sea and Stars celebrates music and Australian creativity
In May, Associate Conductor Dr Sarah Penicka-Smith will lead Sea and Stars, a program combining established European masterpieces with new Australian composition.
The concert will feature a world premiere by Australian composer Belinda Blades, alongside music by Beethoven and Vaughan Williams.
The Willoughby Symphony Choir will also perform, adding a powerful choral dimension to the program.
Audiences will additionally hear the winning composition from the 2027 Willoughby Symphony Young Composer Award.
The award has been an important initiative for more than two decades, providing emerging Australian orchestral composers with an opportunity to have their music performed by a full symphony orchestra.
The initiative demonstrates the orchestra’s continuing commitment to nurturing the next generation of Australian musical talent.
Highland Cathedral brings Scotland to Chatswood
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| Willoughby Symphony Orchestra |
Celebrated Australian saxophonist Amy Dickson will join the orchestra, while the Scots College Old Boys Pipes and Drums will add the distinctive sound and spectacle of Scottish pipe band music.
The program will also feature Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2, a magnificent work known for its sweeping melodies, dramatic contrasts and powerful orchestral writing.
There will also be a change to the Saturday evening concert schedule during the colder months, with the orchestra moving its Saturday night performance to a 5pm twilight time.
The change reflects evolving audience preferences and provides an opportunity to enjoy an orchestral performance at an earlier hour.
Pines of Rome brings virtuoso trumpet to the stage
September’s Pines of Rome promises another spectacular orchestral experience.
Internationally acclaimed Australian trumpeter Dominic Longhurst will perform Arutiunian’s Trumpet Concerto, showcasing the extraordinary possibilities of the solo trumpet.
The program will culminate with Respighi’s Pines of Rome, one of the most colourful and cinematic works in the orchestral repertoire.
Respighi’s vivid orchestration evokes four locations around Rome and builds towards a spectacular musical finale, making it an ideal work for a concert designed to showcase the scale and power of a symphony orchestra.
Carmina Burana concludes the subscription season
The 2027 subscription season will culminate in November with Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana.
One of the most recognisable large-scale choral works of the 20th century, Carmina Burana combines orchestra, choir and solo voices in a work celebrated for its dramatic power and rhythmic energy.
Professor Dr Nicholas Milton AM will conduct the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra and Choir for this major production.
For audiences looking for an unforgettable large-scale musical experience in Sydney, Carmina Burana promises to be one of the highlights of the 2027 season.
Opera Gala and Spirit of Christmas add extra sparkle
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| Willoughby Symphony Orchestra |
Opera Gala will bring together international violinist Rosa Donata Milton, soloists from Pacific Opera and the Willoughby Symphony Choir for an evening celebrating the drama and beauty of opera.
Later in the year, the much-loved Spirit of Christmas concert will return in December, providing a festive conclusion to the orchestra’s 2027 program.
The concert has become an important part of the annual calendar, bringing audiences together for a celebration of music and the Christmas season.
Family concerts introduce a new generation to orchestral music
A particularly exciting aspect of the 2027 season is the orchestra’s continued commitment to families and young audiences.
Two 50-minute weekend productions have been created to make live orchestral music accessible, engaging and enjoyable for children and their families.
The world premiere of Rosie the Clown Joins the Orchestra will introduce young audiences to the different sounds and personalities within a symphony orchestra through an entertaining and interactive production.
Firebird for Families will offer a family-friendly retelling of Stravinsky’s magical ballet, introducing younger audiences to one of the great works of 20th-century orchestral music.
These shorter performances are designed to demonstrate that attending a symphony concert does not have to be an intimidating experience for children.
Instead, they offer an opportunity for families to discover the excitement, colour and storytelling possibilities of a live orchestra together.
A cultural destination in the heart of Chatswood
The Willoughby Symphony Orchestra is resident at The Concourse in Chatswood, placing its concerts at the centre of one of Sydney’s most accessible cultural precincts.
The Pat Reilly Concert Hall is the orchestra’s home and is known for its acoustics and intimate concert experience.
The Concourse is located in the heart of Chatswood, with the Chatswood Interchange only a short walk away. The interchange provides access to Sydney Trains, Sydney Metro and bus services, making the venue convenient for audiences travelling from across Sydney.
For visitors travelling from outside the North Shore, attending a Willoughby Symphony Orchestra concert can also be combined with an evening exploring Chatswood’s extensive dining, shopping and entertainment scene.
A season built around musical storytelling
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| Willoughby Symphony Orchestra |
“Whether you are a long-standing audience member or joining us for the first time, this Season offers a rich and varied musical journey filled with passion, colour and musical storytelling,” he said.
That philosophy is evident throughout the 2027 program.
From Beethoven and Tchaikovsky to Australian composers, from Scottish pipes and drums to the monumental sound of Carmina Burana, and from opera to family storytelling, the season offers remarkably broad musical experiences.
The orchestra’s continuing investment in emerging composers and young audiences also ensures that the 2027 program is not simply about celebrating the great music of the past. It is also about developing the audiences and musicians who will shape the future.
60 years of music in the Willoughby community
The announcement of the 2027 Season comes at an important time for the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra.
Established in 1966, the orchestra is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2026. It has grown into one of Australia’s most established community orchestras, with performances featuring some of Sydney’s finest musicians and internationally recognised guest artists.
The orchestra can feature up to 80 musicians on stage and presents an annual series spanning major symphonic repertoire, popular classics and family productions.
Its Young Composer Award has also provided an important pathway for emerging Australian composers for more than 20 years.
For Willoughby and Chatswood, the orchestra represents much more than a series of concerts. It is an important part of the cultural life of Sydney’s North Shore.
An exciting year ahead for Sydney music lovers
With internationally acclaimed soloists, major orchestral works, new Australian compositions, choral masterpieces, opera and family productions, the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra’s 2027 Season promises something for almost every music lover.
The combination of established classics and new creative voices makes the season particularly appealing for audiences seeking both familiar favourites and new musical discoveries.
For anyone planning cultural outings in Sydney during 2027, Chatswood deserves a place on the itinerary.
The Willoughby Symphony Orchestra’s 2027 Season offers an opportunity to experience outstanding live orchestral music in the intimate surroundings of the Pat Reilly Concert Hall while also discovering one of Sydney’s most vibrant North Shore cultural destinations.
Willoughby Symphony Orchestra
Website: www.willoughbysymphony.com.auEmail: wso@willoughby.nsw.gov.au
Media enquiries: 0461 315 183
Address: 31 Victor Street, Chatswood NSW 2067, Australia
Concert venue: Pat Reilly Concert Hall, The Concourse, 409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood NSW 2067, Australia
Ticket enquiries: The Concourse Box Office, 02 8075 8111
Email: concourse_boxoffice@century.com.au
The Willoughby Symphony Orchestra is proudly managed by Willoughby City Council. For tickets and further information, visit the official Willoughby Symphony Orchestra website or The Concourse.
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