History of the Orchestra
The year was 2013
The year was 2013
The Moorabool Light Orchestra was established in February 2013, by its Co-Founder & Musical Director Barry Wilkins OAM, together with Robert & Fiona (Deneys) Wrzaszcz.
The Moorabool Light Orchestra was established in February 2013, by its Co-Founder & Musical Director Barry Wilkins OAM, together with Robert & Fiona (Deneys) Wrzaszcz.
The trio called for expressions of interest in just 2 public notices, inviting interest from musicians across the Moorabool Shire and neighbouring areas.
The trio called for expressions of interest in just 2 public notices, inviting interest from musicians across the Moorabool Shire and neighbouring areas.
As a result, on Sunday 17 March 2013, after only 4 rehearsals, the first public concert was held, as part of the Bacchus Marsh Community Harvest Festival celebrations, involving 25 musicians.
As a result, on Sunday 17 March 2013, after only 4 rehearsals, the first public concert was held, as part of the Bacchus Marsh Community Harvest Festival celebrations, involving 25 musicians.
Subsequently, word spread rapidly and the success of the inaugural concert brought even more musicians “out of the wood work” and in September the same year 45 musicians took part in an ambitious program of "Symphony of the Classics" including a performance of the famous Modest Mussorgsky work "Pictures at An Exhibition". The orchestra currently has 60 musicians registered on its books.
Subsequently, word spread rapidly and the success of the inaugural concert brought even more musicians “out of the wood work” and in September the same year 45 musicians took part in an ambitious program of "Symphony of the Classics" including a performance of the famous Modest Mussorgsky work "Pictures at An Exhibition". The orchestra currently has 60 musicians registered on its books.
Since then many Concerts have occurred in Bacchus Marsh, Melton, Ballan and Ballarat performing a wide range of music genres and featuring local, state, national and international guest artists.
Since then many Concerts have occurred in Bacchus Marsh, Melton, Ballan and Ballarat performing a wide range of music genres and featuring local, state, national and international guest artists.
All those performances were prepared and conducted by Barry Wilkins with Robert as Leader.
All those performances were prepared and conducted by Barry Wilkins with Robert as Leader.
Barry & his Parter Barbara Snibson have worked tirelessly in both the administration, music, staging and promoting of the MLO Concerts and operation, since the inception of the orchestra.
Barry & his Parter Barbara Snibson have worked tirelessly in both the administration, music, staging and promoting of the MLO Concerts and operation, since the inception of the orchestra.
Big changes announced in 2019
Big changes announced in 2019
December 2019, following the MLO Christmas Concert, Barry stepped down as its Musical Director, as he and Barbara are returning to Ballarat to live (for family reasons).
December 2019, following the MLO Christmas Concert, Barry stepped down as its Musical Director, as he and Barbara are returning to Ballarat to live (for family reasons).
The Committee of Management arranged a special Presentation Dinner for Barry & Barbara as an expression of its thanks and gratitude for their efforts and contribution.
The Committee of Management arranged a special Presentation Dinner for Barry & Barbara as an expression of its thanks and gratitude for their efforts and contribution.
The MLO Committee of Management has decided, for the time being, not to appoint a "resident" Musical Director, but will be engaging Guest Conductors to lead the orchestra for its respective concert performances. (Barry will be returning from time to time to partcipate in this role with the MLO.)
The MLO Committee of Management has decided, for the time being, not to appoint a "resident" Musical Director, but will be engaging Guest Conductors to lead the orchestra for its respective concert performances. (Barry will be returning from time to time to partcipate in this role with the MLO.)
The year of 2020
The year of 2020
2020 has been an interesting year. Due to the Covid -19 pandemic, the orchestra has been in lockdown.
2020 has been an interesting year. Due to the Covid -19 pandemic, the orchestra has been in lockdown.
For the first time since the orchestra began in 2013, due to the health restrictions the May concert was canceled.
For the first time since the orchestra began in 2013, due to the health restrictions the May concert was canceled.
As restrictions continue to evolve, we were un able to run any concerts during 2020.
As restrictions continue to evolve, we were un able to run any concerts during 2020.
In 2022 we were finally able to start getting some traction with meeting together and rehearsals were better attended. We were able to perform a few concert in 2022. Towards the end of 2022 we saw Michael Love step down from his time as Present of the MLO. We thank Micheal for his time in this role.
In 2022 we were finally able to start getting some traction with meeting together and rehearsals were better attended. We were able to perform a few concert in 2022. Towards the end of 2022 we saw Michael Love step down from his time as Present of the MLO. We thank Micheal for his time in this role.
Currently we are running under the direction of the Committee of which each member is voted in by the orchestra memebers. The committee works together to help with all the behind the scenes work that is needed to keep the MLO active as well as help with the decision making for organisation of each concert.
Currently we are running under the direction of the Committee of which each member is voted in by the orchestra memebers. The committee works together to help with all the behind the scenes work that is needed to keep the MLO active as well as help with the decision making for organisation of each concert.
Where we are today
Where we are today
We are now in 2023 and are in the process of getting ready to start rehearsals for our first concert in May.
We are now in 2023 and are in the process of getting ready to start rehearsals for our first concert in May.
Over the past few years we have been working with a variety of different conductors. In May we are looking forward to having Sarah Barlow conduct our next concert.
Over the past few years we have been working with a variety of different conductors. In May we are looking forward to having Sarah Barlow conduct our next concert.