History

The Willoughby Symphony has long been recognised as Australia’s finest community orchestra. It was founded by Albert Keats in 1965 and combined with the Northside Choral Society in 1973 to become the Willoughby Symphony, after several successful subscription series in the Willoughby Civic Centre Town Hall. During this time, the orchestra often hosted Carl Pini, who was the founder of the London String Quartet, the Carl Pini String Quartet, guest director of the English Chamber Orchestra, and concertmaster of the London Philharmonia.

In 1975 Robin Wood was appointed Chief Conductor of the Willoughby Symphony, after serving for a time as assistant to Keats. David Pereira, now cellist of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, appeared as a young soloist in concerts during the late 70s. A new Chief Conductor Robert Miller joined the Willoughby Symphony in 1981. As a published and highly respected music educator, Robert Miller was involved also in the ABC Training Orchestra scheme in the late 1960s.

In 1988 the Willoughby Symphony performed a commissioned work, ‘Bicentennial Festival Overture’ by Wilfred Lehmann OAM for Australia’s Bicentenary celebrations. By now the WSO had appointed Neil Flottman as resident conductor of the Willoughby Symphony Choir. In 1989 he was replaced by William Moxey, who remained the Choirmaster for nearly twenty years.

During the 1990s, John Grundy was appointed Resident Conductor of the Willoughby Symphony, and Wilfred Lehmann OAM as Principal Guest Conductor. It was in this decade that concerts were changed to Friday nights and Sunday afternoons.

In 2000 the Dr Nicholas Milton was appointed (and remains) Chief Conductor of the Willoughby Symphony. The Orchestra became part of the Community Services Branch of Willoughby Council, and an advisory committee was formed to replace the Board of Management. In recognition of this relationship, the Willoughby City Council received an award for ‘Enlightened or exceptional support to an orchestra’ from The Orchestras of Australia Network (TOAN). The orchestra was also crowned Best Community Orchestra by TOAN in 2005 and 2006.

In 2010 Sarah Penicka-Smith was appointed choirmaster of the Willoughby Symphony.