What we’re up to… Steel City Strings

Steel City Strings – 2020 Digital Season | Oct // Nov // Dec

Across October, November and December 2020, Steel City Strings will perform its inaugural Digital Season. Each month, the Wollongong-based chamber orchestra will release a forty-minute performance comprised of solo performances, small and whole ensemble performances led by Opera Australia conductor, Luke Spicer.

The performances are being recorded across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions at Berry School of Arts, the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music and in musicians’ homes with the desire to bring the orchestra back together to make music again.

‘It is vital the we bring our whole orchestra back together to keep our musicians engaged and ensure that their playing standards remain high’ said Kyle Little, Artistic Director.

‘We also have plans to perform live for a much-reduced audience in Wollongong later this year. This means that our fans who are at-risk can enjoy the music entirely safely from home, whilst the general public will also be able to attend a short, COVID safe performance.’

Steel City Strings announces its 2020 Digital Season after its successful ‘Isolation Strings’ performance series that raised thousands of dollars for the orchestra; employing musicians, contracting local suppliers and hiring venues. As part of the project the orchestra was also able to commission a new work by Wollongong Conservatorium of Music Composer in Residence, John Spence – Dark Fire String Quartet No. 4.

Watch the video here

The orchestra was subsequently announced as a Finalist of the Illawarra Business Awards in the category of ‘Excellence in Digital Service Delivery’ for its efforts in transitioning the musicians online for rehearsals and performances.

The works featured across the three months vary between full string orchestra works including Warlock’s Capriol Suite and Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Cellos in G minor, chamber works including Beethoven’s Piano Trio in C minor and various solo pieces.

The full program can be viewed here.

Subscriptions to the Digital Season are affordably priced at $30 and available through Trybooking.com

All performances are available until December 31 for on-demand streaming, including exclusive access to the orchestra’s extensive archive of past performances. Existing paid Steel City Strings 2020 subscribers will receive a complimentary subscription to acknowledge their commitment to the orchestra.

PROGRAM

October Vivaldi, Beethoven, Mendelssohn
November Corelli, Ravel, Holst
December Mozart, Shostakovich, Warlock

Here’s a teaser…