By Ann Marie Angebrandt
WYNDHAMVALE musician Michelle Wan wants to hear from people who like to blow their own horn.
Or pluck their own double bass or play their own violin for that matter.
The music teacher has an ambitious plan to establish a chamber orchestra for Werribee and needs fellow musicians to complete the symphony.
So far, the 33-year-old pianist has found a French horn player and a cellist.
But to play the multi-part music she has in mind – classics such as Bach’s Brandenburg concertos and some of her own compositions, she needs at least nine string and wind performers.
“Music has always been a huge part of my life and I love to share that with other people,” she said.
Ms Wan moved to the area two years ago from Blackburn and was surprised to find no orchestra here.
“I started ringing around, to schools and other places, to begin putting one together.”
She hopes to have a first rehearsal on 17 March at the Wyndham Cultural Centre.
A Young Australian of the Year nominee in 1998, Ms Wan was successful in launching a similar orchestra in Mitcham last year.
“There are lots of musicians around. Sometimes it just takes someone to coordinate them,” she said.
She expects the orchestra would play in two to four community concerts or festivals a year around the West.
“For me, it’s about creativity and playing for an audience that appreciates good music,” she said.
Unlike other orchestras, rehearsals for the Werribee Chamber Orchestra will be every two months, instead of weekly.
Interested musicians would need to have a playing standard of close to 5 AMEB or higher.
There are no joining fees and all ages are welcome.
For more information about joining the orchestra, contact Ms Wan at ausland@yahoo.com or on 0413 236 097.
