Spirit of Christmas

President’s Christmas Message

Christmas. A time where we eat too much, drink a little more than we should and wonder if the receipt is still available for that pair of socks.

We gather as families and strangers at church services, carols and festive events throughout the world. For many, it is a time of celebration for the gift of Christ being born unto our world. Alternatively, for some a period of rest and relaxation.

This year the combination of Covid-19, the economic uncertainty that resulted and the normal stresses of daily life have not diminished the resolve and spirit of our communities.

Testament to this fortitude is the presence of our wonderful musicians in this magnificent location to share with you a beautifully curated collection of old and new works.

From all of us here at Ipswich City Orchestras we wish you and your families a very safe and Merry Christmas.

Christopher Trace
LL.B. (Hons) GDLP MBA MQLS
President

Artistic Director – Patrick Burns

It is with great joy and greetings of the season that we present to you our Spirit of Christmas concert.

Whilst the music of Christmas is often a cause for joy and celebration, today’s concert also provides room for pause and reflection. In a year that has been trying and turbulent, especially for the arts community, it is wonderfully fitting that we are able to welcome back Adrian Head, who conducted our Bush Fire Relief concerts at the beginning of the year.

We are also joined by eight wonderful local soloists, along with the musicians of the musicians of the Ipswich City Orchestra as we celebrate some of the quieter and more evocative music of Christmas.

We are also excited to continue our spotlight on Australian composers, as we share with you a selection of music by a composer well known to Ipswich audiences, Sandra Milliken.

Thank you so much for joining us and continuing to support these incredible local artists and may today’s concert herald in a festive season that is truly full of comfort and joy.

Adrian Head – Guest Conductor

Over the last three decades Adrian has conducted numerous orchestras and ensembles, nationally and overseas, including the Janacek Philharmonic, the Dohnanyi Symphony, the Sinfonia of St Andrew’s, and the Ady Ensemble: a twenty-three piece string orchestra which he founded in 2011, that performs standard repertoire and with newly written commissions and arrangements for the ensemble. In 2016 he studied conducting with Gabor Hollerung in Budapest, Hungary, and in 2017 he travelled to the Czech Republic to study with renowned Finnish conducting pedagogue, Jorma Panula. 2017 also saw Adrian voted a 4MBS Treasured Queensland Classical Musician.

Having graduated from his Bachelor of Music at the University of Queensland in 1993, Adrian became Principal Trombone and Staff Arranger with the Royal Australian Navy Band in Sydney (1994-2002) – a role which included arranging for the Sydney 2000 Olympics and Paralympics. His efforts during this time were rewarded with an Admiral’s Commendation (2001). He moved to Manchester in the UK for two years (2002 – 2003), where he worked for the Royal Northern College of Music and for the Répertoire International des Sources Musicales (RISM). In 2011 he completed his Master of Music at the Queensland Conservatorium.