Orchestra History

1969

• Orchestra formed to do a national tour of Gilbert and Sullivan
• Named the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust (AETT)
• First rehearsal 11 August 1969 in the Chinese Baptist Church Hall in Darlinghurst, Sydney
• Conductor was William (Bill) Reed and the rehearsal included the Overture from Iolanthe
• Concertmaster was Ruth Pearl

1988

• Became the resident orchestra of the Victorian Arts Centre
• Renamed the State Orchestra of Victoria
• Administration based at Victorian Arts Centre
• Rehearsals mostly at St Peter's Hall, East Melbourne, but also at a wide variety of other venues
• Played for The Australian Ballet, Opera Australia and the Victorian State Opera

1996

• Victorian State Opera folded
• SOV began to use one-third of the year for discretionary activities - onstage concerts, touring, educational activities
• Funded to play for Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet for two-thirds of the year

2001

• Separated from the Victorian Arts Centre, and became an independent organization on 1 July 2001
• Board of Directors formed, chaired by Don Mercer
• Took up premises at the Army Band building in Albert Park
• Renamed Orchestra Victoria in October 2001

2003

• Opera and Ballet performances take up 50% of the year
• Performances that make up the remaining 50% are part of the Community Program
• The mOVe! education program first visited regional Victoria