St Andrew’s College was delighted to receive recognition today of our role in supporting the musical community of the University.
When both Covid and financial restraints hit the University’s musical societies last year, St Andrew’s stepped up to provide rehearsal, storage and concert spaces free of charge.
Sydney University Symphony Orchestra (SUSO), Sydney University Wind Orchestra (SUWO) and Sydney University Musical Society (SUMS) have been enjoying the rehearsal facilities at St Andrew’s College which allow up to 50 musicians to practice in a safe, socially distanced space.
SUSO have also hosted three concerts in the chapel at St Andrew’s since October 2020, allowing the wider community to appreciate their musical talents in a live venue.
Professor Anna Reid, Head of School and Dean of Sydney Conservatorium of Music said:
“St Andrew’s College has been an amazing support of musical arts for the student community of the university. They have willingly provided rehearsal space and equipment storage for the Sydney University Symphony Orchestra and the Sydney University Wind Symphony.
“It is an act of cultural generosity in a period where the creative arts have been stifled due to Covid and rising accommodation costs. Having these ensembles in residence demonstrates that St Andrew’s cares about the student artistic community through its constant provision of practical support.
“Without St Andrew’s support, these ensembles would probably have collapsed. The university can well thank St Andrew’s for this important contribution to student life.”
Belinda Zhang, SUSO President and flutist added:
“SUSO is eternally grateful for the patronage of St Andrew’s College, and the significant role that the college has played in keeping the orchestra afloat and supporting the musical community. We would even go as far as arguing that St Andrews’ College is single-handedly responsible for the functioning of majority of USyd’s core instrumental and choral performance societies, and should therefore be credited with keeping the performing arts community alive on the USyd main campus.”
Wayne Erickson, Principal of St Andrew’s College responded:
“St Andrew’s College is delighted to support the musical community of the University, the creative arts are very important to College life and our students. I would like to thank Ben Adler, Head of Musicology, who has helped College to forge these important relationships in recent years. Drew’s has benefited from hearing the musical rehearsals several times a week over the past year and we particularly enjoyed welcoming a new audience to St Andrew’s for the concerts. We look forward to a continuing relationship.”
Georgia Harrington, SUWO President commented:
“St Andrew’s generosity in allowing us to use the space and store percussion in the hall free of charge has allowed our ensemble to return to playing without added financial stress, ensuring we can continue being an inclusive community band. We have the College’s accommodation of us to thank for our being able to quickly return to activities when it was safe to do so.”
Photo: SUSO members rehearsing in The Chapel for the ‘Socially Distanced Strings’ Concert, October 2020
