I arrived in Australia in 1985 from England and within a few months I was lucky enough to be invited out to conduct the Broken Hill Civic Orchestra.
It was a truly unique experience that was so very different from anything else that I had ever done before and immediately Broken Hill captivated me, the outback astounded me and after countless visits there the Orchestra has become part of our family.
I never know what range of instruments I will have for our bi annual workshop and concert so I usually try and bring along a group of musicians from other places to fill in some of the gaps. My wife and I always have to make adaptions to the music to make sure that all the parts are covered. Often we create simplified parts to ensure that even the most elementary of musicians can be part of all the fun.
In early June of this year we had our most recent workshop and on the Friday night we played through most of the concert repertoire and I was delighted how well this happy bunch of assorted musicians sounded. We then rehearsed in much more detail all day Saturday and orchestral members came and went depending on sporting and family events. What the Broken Hill Orchestra lacks in finesse they make up in suppers, lunches, morning and afternoon teas.
They rehearse in the Barrier Industries Union Band Hall where the walls are lined with historic photographs of the glory days of the several Broken Hill Brass Bands. For many years several National Champion of Champion players came from Broken Hill.
In contrast the Civic Orchestra is not quite thirty years old but it is hard to think that this group will ever disappear as the Orchestra has that strong Broken Hill survival mentality that managers to overcome the setbacks when key players leave town.
In true outback fashion the orchestra is made up of wonderful characters like Ivan the engine driver who leads the second violins. Ivan will often dutifully attend all the rehearsals but an hour before the concert get a call telling him to take a freight train to Parkes. Dawn is our principal cellist who for 20 years apologises to me for her playing when there is no need whatsoever. Joan Smith plays the piano and has a great skill in filling in all the gaps. Joan smiles sweetly at everyone over the top of the piano and no one in the whole world loves music as much as she does. Mark ? an ex undertaker is the conductor and his good humour and fastidious rehearsal technique would put many conductors to shame.
The Broken Hill Civic Orchestra is not your normal community orchestra that is continually worried about the lack of violas, and double basses. The Broken Hill Civic Orchestra are just delighted if they have any of these exotic instruments. Everyone is welcome at a Tuesday evening rehearsal at the BIU Band Hall because apart from anything else there is an awful lot of supper that needs eating.