Be part of history as Albury Wodonga Symphony Orchestra returns to the stage (2025)

Albury Wodonga Symphony Orchestra (AWSO) will be in full flight this weekend after a two-decade-long hiatus.

The brainchild of Border musicians Jessie Swan, Tara Chambers and Katie Clarke, the orchestra was re-established last year to fill a void in the cultural landscape.

Once a vibrant part of the Border's musical offerings from the 1970s to the 1990s, AWSO would present its launch concert in Wodonga on Saturday, May 17.

Together, Swan, Chambers and Clarke wanted to create opportunities for performers and audiences to experience live orchestral music.

AWSO president Swan, who is also the conductor, said they tinkered with the idea for a community-driven musical outlet last year and formalised those plans earlier this year.

Swan said they already had 45 playing members and 10 non-playing members from throughout Albury-Wodonga, Jindera, Myrtleford and Wangaratta.

She said the players ranged in age from 15 to 80.

"AWSO was a vital part of this community's cultural identity in decades past," she said.

"It's an honour to be part of this incredible journey to bring this community orchestra back to life.

"I'm thrilled to work with such talented musicians and I am excited to share inspiring and uplifting performances with our community."

Chambers said a community-driven orchestra had myriad social benefits.

"In terms of the wellbeing of the community, this musical outlet is needed by both musicians and the audiences," she said.

"There are so many mental health benefits for the players in a community of people looking after each other, too."

With the support of a dedicated committee, including Graeme Stewart, Catriona Byles, Caoimhe McMillan and Lisa Bektash, the trio have poured their passion into building a community-driven, non-profit organisation where Border musicians could thrive.

"We've also had so much interest from non-playing members who want to volunteer their time to support us," Clarke said.

Swan said AWSO aimed to entertain, educate and inspire audiences and musicians, with a focus on accessible and engaging performances.

She said Border audiences would normally need to travel to a capital city to experience a symphony orchestra.

"Then you're paying for accommodation as well as $70 for a concert ticket," Swan said.

"AWSO is making the experience available here for the people of Albury-Wodonga and surrounds.

"We have many talented people who can play music and who want to engage in making music."

AWSO will present its launch concert, Portraits, under the baton of Swan, at Galvin Hall, Wodonga Senior Secondary College, on Saturday, May 17.

"We are tackling a really difficult and exciting program, including Edward Elgar's beautiful Enigma Variations, Elena Kats-Chernin's quirky and fun Dance of the Paper Umbrellas and Brahm's Academic Overture," she said.

"We're playing the iconic variation, Nimrod, which was performed at Princess Diana's funeral.

"The Enigma Variations are all about musical communities, which is very poignant."

Border musician and composer William Paffen (cello), 15, would also present a world premiere piece titled Waltz of the Bees.

AWSO rehearses at Albury City Band hall on Thursdays from 7.30pm to 9.30pm during the NSW school term.

They need violin and viola players but all applications are welcome through their website.

AWSO will perform three concerts a year; their second - under the baton of leading Australian maestro Fabian Russell - was scheduled for The Cube Wodonga on Sunday, August 10.

Portraits starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets can be bought online from Trybooking or at the door if not sold out.