How did your ACO story begin?
Mine goes back to my childhood in the Sydney Youth Chamber Orchestra. Each Friday, under the baton of Mr John Galloway Painter, I discovered my love of being in a chamber orchestra. I had no inkling at the time that this extraordinary man’s vision would become my lifeblood for 35 years and counting.
Mr Painter’s dream was to form an orchestra in control of its own destiny – and what followed is the story of the ACO’s first 50 years. But this story isn’t just ours, it’s yours too.
Your belief in us – and your generosity – have allowed the ACO’s trailblazing spirit to thrive, shaping the dynamic orchestra you hear today. From breathing fresh life into beloved classics to forging exciting new musical adventures, your support has enabled us to be bold and take risks that wouldn’t otherwise have been possible.
Our ambition hasn’t been confined to concert halls. With your help, we’ve launched life-changing programs like ACO Foundations, which offers free, daily music education to lower income primary school students in Western Sydney and North Melbourne. This program has proven through empirical research to be a groundbreaking investment in improving the lives and learning of these students, their families, and their wider community network.
With your continued support, we step boldly into our next half-century guided by the same creativity, daring, and ambition that defined Mr Painter’s vision and which continues to define the ACO today.
Thank you for joining us on the ride to our 50th year. Without people like you, there would be no story to tell.
Richard Tognetti, AO
Artistic Director
