MILESTONE
1975
The ACO's first concert, which took place at Sydney Opera House.
The part that our ACO family of supporters plays in our story goes far beyond the numbers. You have helped to create the landmark moments and seminal ACO experiences which make up our first 50 years.
“The ACO is my life and the lifeblood of so many people now,” Artistic Director Richard Tognetti says. “Our donors are invested in the ACO not only financially, but personally, musically, artistically and socially.
“We wouldn’t be where we are today with our supporters.”
Please join us in celebrating the past 50 years of the ACO, and donate now to help us keep going.
INTERNATIONAL
1976
The ACO's first international tour, to Indonesia.
MILESTONE
1978
First recording released, with works by Bartók, Haydn and Sculthorpe.
INTERNATIONAL
1982
First performance in London, at Wigmore Hall.
MILESTONE
1990
Richard Tognetti joined the ACO.
INTERNATIONAL
1993
The ACO first performed at Carnegie Hall in New York. The same year, we got our first ARIA award for Best Classical Album.
PHILANTHROPY
1996
The Medici Program was launched to provide sponsorship of the core players. This program ensures we continue to attract and retain the best players from around the world, and maintain the highest level of excellence.
PHILANTHROPY
2004
The Chairman’s Council was established. This membership program has helped to put the ACO on the world stage by supporting our international touring, and cemented our reputation as “one of the wonders of the musical world.”
MUSIC EDUCATION
2005
The ACO’s National Education Program launched at Cabramatta High School, Western Sydney. Support from Learning & Engagement donors has helped us grow: now 15,000 hours of music education is delivered to over 450 students each year.
MUSIC EDUCATION
2005
ACO Emerging Artist Program launched. Funded almost entirely from philanthropic support, this flagship talent development program has kickstarted the careers of over 115 of Australia’s best string players.
MUSIC EDUCATION
2007
ACO2 (now ACO Collective) launched, with its first regional tour. Our supporters have helped us deliver performances and music education workshops at 135 venues across every Australian State and Territory.
MILESTONE
2008
First film project, Musica Surfica, premiered.
INTERNATIONAL
2011
First performance for HRH King Charles at St James’s Palace. A touring party of ACO supporters who helped to fund this special international tour to the UK joined the Orchestra.
PHILANTHROPY
2011
ACO Instrument Fund acquired its first Golden Age instrument, a Stradivarius violin. The late Peter Weiss AO (pictured with ACO Principal Cello Timo-Veikko Valve) made the biggest single gift in the ACO’s history to establish the fund.
MUSIC EDUCATION
2012
ACO Academy, our annual education intensive for school-aged string players, launched.
MILESTONE
2013
The ACO has always embraced technology. ACO Virtual was groundbreaking, allowing us to connect with more than 100,000 people around the country through this immersive digital installation.
PHILANTHROPY
2014
Behind the scenes, Dr Janet Carr left the ACO a generous and unexpected gift in her will. She wasn't known to the ACO, but it was the largest bequest of its kind to that point in the ACO’s history. Her generosity lives on through her gift.
PHILANTHROPY
2015
ACO Next – a program connecting us with the next generation of philanthropists - launched at White Rabbit Gallery in Sydney.
INTERNATIONAL
2016
The ACO toured Weimar Cabaret – a special collaboration with Australian legend Barry Humphries and Meow Meow – to London and Edinburgh.
PHILANTHROPY
2016
The ACO continued working towards a new permanent home, and initiated a Capital Campaign to raise funds. Generous giving helped us create a hub to inspire creativity and innovation for the Orchestra and the wider community at ACO On The Pier.
MILESTONE
2017
A Producer’s Syndicate of ACO supporters around the country made one of our most groundbreaking, award-winning and popular cinematic collaborations, Mountain, possible.
MUSIC EDUCATION
2018
ACO Foundations launched in Western Sydney, giving free daily music learning to disadvantaged primary school students.
MUSIC EDUCATION
2019
Our first ACO Families commission, There’s a Sea in My Bedroom.
PHILANTHROPY
2020-21
You stood with us during the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. With concerts cancelled, thousands of patrons chose to donate back the value of their concert tickets, totalling over $2.5 million in crucial revenue.
MILESTONE
2022
The support of philanthropy enabled us to officially open our doors to ACO On The Pier, which we celebrated with an Opening Festival featuring many friends of the ACO including William Barton, Jane Campion, Genevieve Lacey, and Jimmy Barnes.
MILESTONE
2023
We released three new recordings and received our eighth ARIA Award for Best Classical Album for Indies & Idols.
PHILANTHROPY
2024
ACO GOLD launched to support artistic projects in our 50th Season and beyond, including the commissioning of seven new works by Australian and international composers to celebrate our Golden Anniversary in 2025.
MUSIC EDUCATION
2025
ACO Foundations launched in Melbourne. Over 5,000 mainstage performances around the world since we began (and counting!).
MILESTONE
2025
The ACO turned 50.
Make a tax-deductible donation today to help us continue inspiring, challenging and transforming people through our music beyond 50.
