Hobart Chamber Orchestra and Hobart Wind Symphony 

HOBART CHAMBER ORCHESTRA  

The Hobart Chamber Orchestra was established in 1987 and is primarily a string orchestra. It has developed a reputation for high-quality performances, initiative, innovation, building enduring collaborations, and fostering the emerging talents of soloists, conductors and composers. Membership is drawn from semiprofessional musicians, Conservatorium students, music teachers and experienced amateurs pursuing other careers. The orchestra regularly performs under the direction of local conductors Gary Wain, Greg Stephens, Emma McGrath, Simon Reade and virtuoso violinist Peter Tanfield.  

It features and accompanies outstanding local and visiting soloists. Repertoire is drawn from the core classical string and symphonic orchestral canon, music of Australian composers, lesser-known contemporary orchestral music and works of women composers, and choral works, and has included world premières. Highlights are many and have included all of the Brandenburg Concerti of J.S. Bach, Tippett’s Concerto for Double String Orchestra, Piazzolla’s Four Seasons in Buenos Aires, Bartok’s Divertimento for Strings, Carl Rütti’s Requiem, the world premiere of Don Kay’s Symphony No. 4 and his Mathinna in the Red Dress, and the world première of composer Angus Davison’s Mountain. HCO also performs regularly as part of the Festival of Voices in works which have included Mendelssohn’s Elijah, the Requiems of both Brahms and Cherubini and the world première of Don Kay’s opera The Bushranger’s Lover with Deborah Cheetham Fraillon.  

HCO from time to time collaborates with other musical organisations such as the Loose Canon Chamber Singers and Allegri Ensemble. HCO generally presents four or five programs per year in Hobart and occasionally tours regionally. 

Having had the great privilege of working with the Hobart Chamber Orchestra a number of times I was of course thrilled to learn that the Verdi orchestra would comprise them and the Hobart Wind Symphony. I cannot describe my joy with which I took my worries and expectations and ceremoniously threw them all in the harbour!  Not only could they play it, but they showed an understanding of how the piece worked, and we essentially started where I once dared to hope we might end up.  Simon Reade had prepared them magnificently, and the 200 singers and 600 audience who shared that evening may never know how indebted they are to him for the memories they hold dear. 
– David Lawrence (UK), Conductor Verdi Requiem, 2025 

HOBART CITY WIND SYMPHONY 

The Hobart City Wind Symphony is a high-level ensemble performing the peak repertoire of the wind band. The ensemble aims to produce high quality music for contest and concert performance. The Wind Symphony competes in Tasmanian State and National Band Championships. The Wind Symphony was the Australian National Open A-Grade Concert Champion in 2009. 2010. 2013 and 2017 and has been the Tasmanian Open A-Grade Concert Champion since 2007.  

The Wind Symphony performs concerts in Hobart in venues such as the Town Hall, Sir Stanley Burbury Theatre, St David’s Cathedral, The Farrall Centre and the University of Tasmania Conservatorium Music Recital Hall. It has premiered a number of works by Tasmanian composers and participated in major choral events. In 2007, the ensemble completed its first recording, funded by Arts Tasmania. In 2009, Hobart City Band Inc. Released Extreme Makeover, a CD featuring both the Hobart City Wind Symphony and the Hobart City Brass Band.  

SIMON READE, REHEARSAL CONDUCTOR 

Born in Launceston, Tasmania in 1977, Simon Reade is a conductor, composer, educator and trumpet player. Simon is passionate about the performance of new music and has given the world premiere of over 100 new works by Tasmanian composers, many of these with the Hobart Wind Symphony, which he has directed for over 25 years. Simon also directs both the large ensembles at the University of Tasmania, conducts Tasmania’s only A grade Brass Band for Glenorchy City Brass, as well as working freelance with professional and community organisations, including the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. He is a fully represented composer at the Australian Music Centre and in 2022 was awarded the APRA/AMCOS State Luminary Award for Tasmania, for his sustained contribution as a conductor and the promotion of Australian Music. 

Image credit: Alastair Bett Photography