Skip to main content
Community Engagement

Composition Project

This is a past event.

Studio Underground
16 Jun 2026

West Australian Symphony Orchestra respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and Elders of Country throughout Western Australia, and the Whadjuk Noongar people on whose lands we work and share music.

Using Your Digital Concert Guide

You may use this digital program in the Auditorium. Please use it respectfully and allow your fellow concert-goers to enjoy their concert experience by following these guidelines:

  • Please place your phone on silent.

  • Enable Concert Mode at the top of your browser and further dim your screen in your device's settings.

  • Taking photos or video? Ensure your camera shutter sound and flash are turned off, then, if the conductor's arm is raised, hold it. If it's relaxed, go for it!

Welcome

The WASO Composition Project nurtures and promotes Western Australia’s most talented emerging composers. It is a much-needed platform for young composers to write a new work for a professional ensemble and to interact with the musicians during the creative process.

Since its inception in 2009, the Composition Project has premiered over 70 new works and many participants have gone on to forge successful musical careers.

Tonight is a celebration of five emerging composers whose new works reflect the breadth of talent and imagination we have in WA.

James Ledger

Program & Repertoire

Madeleine HAMMOND Heimal Flight
Reece WEBBER Hideous Heart
Marcel HOWELL Bread and Circuses
Gabriel YACOPETTI Damp stone walls surround… The light is so beautiful
Amy SKELLERN Honey Badger


James Ledger artistic director/conductor


About Composition Project

WASO’s Composition Project offers young and emerging Western Australian composers the opportunity to develop their skills in a professional environment. Through a series of individual lessons, workshops and rehearsals, participants have composed a new work for a 14-piece chamber ensemble, performed by WASO musicians in front of a live audience at Studio Underground, State Theatre Centre of WA. Participants are mentored by James Ledger and WASO musicians.

A panel will select the most outstanding composition, awarding the composer the Bendat Family Foundation (WASO) Scholarship and a commission to write a new work to be premiered by WASO.

WASO On Stage

KEY:

  • Principal

  • Associate Principal

  • Assistant Principal

  • Contract Musician°

  • Guest Musician^

  • *Instruments used by these musicians are on loan from Janet Holmes à Court AC.

We greatly appreciate the support of our musicians’ Duet partners, acknowledged below.


Semra Lee Assistant Concertmaster
Zak Rowntree* Principal 2nd Violin

Elliot O’Brien

Nicholas Metcalfe

Robin Brawley

Andrew Nicholson

Jonathan Ryan Principal Cor Anglais

Alexander Millier Principal Bass Clarinet

Alexander Millier

Jane Kircher-Lindner

Eve McEwen

Jenna Smith

Liam O’Malley

Chloe Higgins

François Combémorel Associate Principal Percussion & Timpani

About the Artists

Photo of James LedgerHeadshot of James Ledger wearing a blue collared shirt and tortoise shell glasses.

James Ledger

Conductor

Photo of Madeleine Hammond

Madeleine Hammond

Composer

Photo of Reece Webber

Reece Webber

Composer

Photo of Marcell Howell

Marcell Howell

Composer

Photo of Gabriel Yacopetti

Gabriel Yacopetti

Composer

Photo of Amy Skellern

Amy Skellern

Composer

About the Music

WASO Recommends

If you enjoyed today's concert, we think you'll love:

If you enjoyed tonight's concert, we think you'll love: Reich and Richter

Prepare for a thrilling program of contemporary innovation where music meets art. Experience the shimmering textures of Esa-Pekka Salonen’s Fog, written for the 90th birthday of celebrated architect Frank Gehry, followed by the vibrant energy of a brand new work by Australian composer Vanessa Perica. Sound and image achieve a euphoric synchronicity in Steve Reich’s Reich/Richter, a hypnotic multimedia synthesis of Reich’s music with German artist Gerhard Richter’s kaleidoscopic visual art.

Fri 6 & Sat 7 November 2026 | Studio Underground, State Theatre Centre of WA

BOOK TICKETS NOW

About WASO

Engage | Excite | Experience | Educate

From the centre of Perth to the furthest corners of the state, we have provided the soundtrack to life in WA since 1928.

As the State Orchestra, Perth’s first and finest, WASO is the largest employer of performing artists in Western Australia and reaches two million people with musical experiences each year on stage, in our community, and online.

From concert stages to classrooms, hospitals to aged care, we bring joy, inspire learning, and nurture participation in our community, because everybody deserves the opportunity to experience live music. Every year, through community and leading industry partnerships, we engage a new generation of young and emerging artists to help secure a bright future for music in Australia.

We celebrate our rich classical music heritage with great artists from all over the world and commission and perform new repertoire to renew and expand it.

The Orchestra collaborates widely with major arts companies and independent artists, performing opera to ballet, movies to musicals, jazz to rock. Asher Fisch is Principal Conductor and Artistic Adviser of our Orchestra.

We champion the diversity of music in all its forms, with a team of talented and passionate people who create unforgettable experiences for all West Australians to enjoy.

Audience members seated in the balcony of Perth Concert Hall watch a live orchestral performance, with the brightly lit stage out of frame and the rest of the auditorium softly blurred in the background.

Your Concert Experience


Snap a selfie from your seat, capture the artist bows and share the experience with friends. Don’t forget to tag us! #wasymphonyorchestra

Whether you are welcoming your favourite artist to the stage, or showing appreciation at the end of a piece, we love thunderous applause. Not sure when to clap? Here’s a tip; if the conductor’s arm is raised, hold it. If it’s relaxed, go for it!

Ensure your mobile phone is on silent and does not disrupt the experience of those around you. If you need to cough or sneeze, please do this into your elbow.

For information about our services, such as lifts and accessible toilets, please ask one of our friendly ushers.

If you arrive late or leave your seat during a performance, your auditorium entry will need to wait until a suitable break.

St John First Aid officers are present at every WASO concert. Please notify a team member if you require any first aid assistance.

Get tickets to your next WASO experience at the Box Office located in the Main Foyer of the State Theatre Centre of WA. The Box Office is open from 9am on the day of performance. Alternatively, you can visit waso.com.au to buy online or book an in-person ticketing appointment by calling (08) 9326 0000.

Our Supporters

The importance of our giving community is to be valued and congratulated. You are making a difference to what you see on stage - your commitment is a source of constant inspiration for us.

We are proud to acknowledge our donor family, many of whom give to multiple areas and some who wish to remain unnamed.

Thank you.


Janet Holmes à Court AC


Prue Ashurst
Alexander Millier (Principal Bass Clarinet)
The Baker Family
Kylie Liang (Associate Principal 2nd Violin)
Samantha Wickramasinghe (Violin)
Minoti Bhagat and Richard Bessell-Browne
Giovanni Vinci (Double Bass)
Dr Glenda Campbell-Evans & Dr Ken Evans AM
Joshua Davis (Principal Trombone)
Future Logic
Benjamin Caddy (Viola)
Maryllis and Paul Green-Armytage
Nik Babic (Viola)
The Gregg Family
Nicholas Metcalfe (Cello)
Richard Goyder AO & Janine Goyder
Anonymous Musician
Brian & Romola Haggerty
Jeremy Garside (Cello)
Dale & Greg Higham
Liam O’Malley (Associate Principal Trombone)
Janet Holmes à Court AC
John Keene (Associate Principal Double Bass)
Gina Humphries
Helen Tuckey (Viola)
Jim & Freda Irenic
François Combémorel (Associate Principal Percussion & Timpani)
Roger Jennings
James Munro (Viola)
E. John & F. Barrett
Fotis Skordas (Cello)
Dale & Michael Kitney
Andrea Mendham (Violin)
MACA
Semra Lee (Assistant Concertmaster)
Rod & Margaret Marston
Horn section
MIMI
Akiko Miyazawa (Violin)
Joshua & Pamela Pitt
Jonathan Ryan (Principal Cor Anglais)
Rosalind & Lyndsay Potts
Rebecca Glorie (Violin)
Paul Smith & Denham Harry
Lucas O’Brien (Violin)
Jean & Peter Stokes
Alex Timcke (Principal Timpani)
Michelle Todd
Oliver McAslan (Cello)
Ruth E. Thorn and Michael & Helen Tuite
Liz Chee (Principal Oboe)
John & Nita Walshe
Jenna Smith (Principal Trumpet)
Unnamed (4)
Mary-Anne Blades (Associate Principal Flute)
Shigeru Komatsu (Cello)
Louise Sandercock (Violin)


CHAIRMAN'S CIRCLE $25,000+
Jean Arkley in memory of Tom Arkley
Prue Ashurst in memory of Eoin Cameron
The Baker Family
Gavin Bunning Family
Dr Glenda Campbell-Evans & Dr Ken Evans AM
Pandy & Professor Michael Clinton
Richard Goyder AO & Janine Goyder
The Gregg family
Jamelia Gubgub & David Wallace
Brian & Romola Haggerty
Janet Holmes à Court AC
Tony & Gwenyth Lennon
Bryant Macfie in memory of Louise Macfie
Rod & Margaret Marston
Joshua & Pamela Pitt
Rosalin Sadler in memory of Joyce Durbin Sadler
Geoff Stearn
Peter & Jean Stokes
Clare Thompson SC in memory of Dr Brad Power
Reto Vogel
John & Nita Walshe
Alan Whitham
Unnamed (2)

PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR'S CIRCLE $10,000+
Minoti Bhagat & Richard Bessell-Browne
Frauke Chambers in Memory of Keith
Catherine Dunn & Barrie Heald
Bridget Faye AM
Marc Geary
Dr Penny Herbert in memory of Dunstan Herbert
Dale & Greg Higham
Jim & Freda Irenic
Bill Kean
LeMessurier Charitable Trust
Rosalind & Lyndsay Potts
Paul Rodoreda in memory of Mary Rodoreda
Helen & Roger Sandercock
Michael & Helen Tuite
Fred & Nicola Wehr
Unnamed (2)

MAESTRO CIRCLE $5,000+
David & Suzanne Biddles
Gay & Robert Branchi
Prof Rachel & Rev Dr John Cardell-Oliver
Maree Creighton & Kevin Davis
Marie Mills & Anthony Crocker
Lorraine Ellard & Ron Bade OAM
The Giorgetta Charity Fund
Sue Hovell
Gina Humphries
Louise Farrell OAM & Eric Isaachsen
Margaret & Peter James
Roger Jennings
Eleanor John & Finn Barrett
Keith & Gaye Kessell
Dale & Michael Kitney
Rosalind Lilley
Mrs Morrell
Michael & Lesley Page
Stewart Candlish & Bianca Panizza
Kenneth Pettit
Wayne Robinson
Stephen Davis & Linda Savage
Julia Seabrook in memory of Lady Jean Brodie-Hall
Paul Smith & Denham Harry
Michael Snell OAM & Vicki Stewart
Peter & Jane Thompson in memory of Mrs Freda Stimson
Ruth E. & Neville Thorn
Rhondda Tilbrook
Fred & Caroline Witting
Sara Wordsworth
Unnamed (8)

VIRTUOSO CIRCLE $2,500+
Tony & Mary Beeley
Peter & Marjorie Bird
Anthea Cheney
Robert Clifton
Megan & Arthur Criddle
Gena Culley
Anne and Philip Currie
Lesley & Peter Davies
Neil Archibald & Alan R Dodge AM
Robyn Glindemann
Maryllis & Paul Green-Armytage
Peter Hansen-Thiim
Warwick Hemsley AO
Peter Ingram
Diane Johnson in memory of Tim Johnson
Ross & Fran Ledger
Lommers Engineering Pty Ltd
Oliver & Sophie Mark
Cynthia McCumiskey
Andreas W. Merk
Sunny & Ann Lee
John S Paterson
Rosemary Peek
Wendy & Stephen Powles
Anne & Robin Salter
Melanie & Paul Shannon
Elisabeth & David Smith
Michelle Todd in memory of Andrew
Mary Townsend
George Van Beek
Stan & Valerie Vicich
Leonard Walker
Joy Wearne
Unnamed (7)

PRINCIPAL CIRCLE $1,000+
Moira Bailey
Ruth Bailey
Clare Bannister & Will Riseborough
Ray & Jan Batey
Peter Bath
Sarah & Colin Beckett AO
Lea Bingemann
Margaret Bloch
E & P Boland
Cathy Bolt in memory of Tony Bolt
Archa Fox & Charlie Bond
K & C Bond
Diane Brennan OAM
Christine Burson
Ian & Marilyn Burton
Adrienne & Phillip Buttrose
Joan Carney
Fred & Angela Chaney
Grant and Catherine Chappelle
S Cherian
Dr Anne Chester
Jason & Su-Lyn Chong
Dr Frank Christiansen & Dr Keryn Christiansen
Kenneth Clark
Peter & Sue Clifton
Lyn & Harvey Coates AO
Brenda Cohen
Norah & Roger Cooper
Rev Des Cousins
Kaylene Cousins
Mrs Patricia D'Aurizio
Michael & Wendy Davis
Monique De Vianna
Lee Delaney
Kevin Della Bosca
Stephen Dennis & Daniel Parker
Rai & Erika Dolinschek
Caroline Allen & Sandy Dunn
Bev East
Pamela Eldred
Kerry & Norbert Fandry OAM
Dr Jenny & Terry Fay
Susan & Gavin Fielding AM
George Gavranic
Linda Colville & Frank Glass
Dr Anne Gray
Jannette Gray
Dr Barry Green
Pitsamai & Kevin Green
Shona Hall
Richard B Hammond
Pauline & Peter Handford
Nick Handran Smith & Elizabeth Allan
Mrs Hansen-Knarhoi in memory of Harry
John & Christine Hedges
Elizabeth & Eric Heenan KC
Barbie Henryon
Dallas Hickman & Alex Hickman
Helen Hollingshead
Dr K & Mr J Hopkins OAM
Judith Hugo OAM
Emy & Warren Jones
Dr Susan M Joubert
Noelle & Dr Anthony Keller AM
C & V Kennedy
Patricia M King
Leonie Kirke
Stephanie Rusyn in memory of John Kobelke
Ulrich & Gloria Kunzmann
Tessa La Mela on behalf of Tim Threlfall & Katie Hill
Yvonne Lamble
Irving Lane
Dr Oon Teik Lee
Ruth & Malcolm Leske
Ian & Judith Lunt
Mal Macey
David Castillo & Marian Magee
Graham & Muriel Mahony
Denise Main
Dr Tony Mander & Ms Loretta Byrd
Gregg & Sue Marshman
Geoff Massey
Professor Con Michael AO, in memory of Betty Michael
Mrs Carolyn Milton-Smith in memory of Emeritus Prof John Milton-Smith
Jane & Jock Morrison
Dr & Mrs Peter Moss
Patricia Murphy
Lynn Murray
Paul Nendick
Val & Barry Neubecker
G & I Nicholas
Lynne and Bob Nicholson
Dr Walter Ong & Graeme Marshall
John Overton
Robyn Owens
Philippa Packer & Dean McAullay
Adam Parker
Roger Paterson
Athena Paton
Tim Pavy & Cathy Cole
Ruth & Adrian Phelps
Charmian Phillips in memory of Colin Craft
Alison Piacentini
Deborah Piesse
Italo Pizzale
Richard & Sharon Prince
Dr Leon Prindiville
Eveline Read
James & Nicola Ridsdill-Smith
Patricia Rigo
Mark Ritter in memory of Deborah Milton
Bryan & Jan Rodgers
Dr Heather Rogers
Gerry & Maurice Rousset OAM
Margaret & Roger Seares
Dorothy Smith OAM
Helen Smith OAM
Ross & Laurel Smith
Peggy & Tom Stacy
Alan & Jan Stewart
Brian Stewart
Joslyn Summerhayes in Memory of Eileen Hayes
Summerlin Audiology
Dr Clare Tait and Dr Tim Haggett
Leon Tang
Lisa Telford
Janet & the late Stephen Thackray
Ruth Thomas in memory of Ken & Hazel Rowley
Amanda & Desmond Thompson
Rosemary Tomkinson
In memory of Judith Sienkiewicz
Judith Wilton & David Turner
Agatha van der Schaaf
Maggie Venerys
Geoff & Sandra Wackett
Jeremy Wade & Tara Mala
Penny Walsh in loving memory of Len Walsh
Diana & the late Bill Warnock
Alan Westle in memory of Jean
Moira Westmore and John Dobson
Dr Chris & Mrs Vimala Whitaker
Barbara Wilcox
David & Anne Williams
Jean & Ian Williams AO
Janet Williams
Jim & Gill Williams
Dr Simon & Mrs Alison Williams
Trish Williams
Hilary and Peter Winterton AM
Margaret Wood
Peter Wreford
Nancy York
Andrew & Marie Yuncken
Unnamed (49)

TUTTI CIRCLE $500+
Catherine Bagster
Bernard & Jackie Barnwell
Michael & Nadia Berkeley-Hill
Dr Caroline Bird & Dr Jim Rhoads
John & Sue Bird in memory of Penny Bird
Davilia Bleckly
E & G Bourgault in memory of Betty Sagar
Sue Boyd
Ann Butcher & Dean R Kubank
Jennifer Butement in memory of Margaret Butement
Michelle Candy
R & R Cant
Jill Clarke
Ian Collins
John Collins
Annette Cottee
Pru Cowan
Carole & John Cox
Ann Darby
Adrian De Graaf
Hanneke & Jop Delfos
Tania Dworsky & Charles Sutcliffe
The Hon. Richard Philip Eaton
Gregory Fitzpatrick
Rosemary Grigg & Peter Flanigan
Sue & David Forster
Margaret Fowler
Eléonore Fuchter & Lothar Konle
Marion Funke
Jennifer & Stephen Gardiner
Neville & Jane Gibbs
Neville and James Gibbs
Andrea Gillett
George Grainger
Allan & Jane Green
Gwenyth Greenwood
Kat and Jeff Haisma
P.M. Harris
Alan Harvey & Dr Paulien de Boer
David & Deborah Hayes
Ms Maxine Hebiton
Judith & John Huppatz
Drs Paul & Janis Jansz
John & Judith Jarvis
Cynthia Jee
Lynn & Michael Jensen
Brandon & Louisa Jones
Michael & Josephine Jones
Warwick & Isobel Jones
Dr Ursula Kees
Bob Kelliher
B M Kent
Francis Landels
Dr Warren Lilleyman
David Lun
Mary Ellen in memory of Kerensa
Stuart Macklin & Peter Lyle
Robyn Main
David Marmont
Pam Mathews & Dr Mark Brogan
Terence Middleton
Patricia & Kevin Morgan
Margaret & Bruce Murdoch
Phuong N T Nguyen
Matthew Pearce & Kim Denham
Jennifer Rankin
Rosie Reeman
Helen Shilkin-Reinhold
Geraldine Roxburg
Chris & Serge Rtshiladze
Jane and Steve Sherwood
Jan Sillence
Hendrik Smit
John & Elizabeth Spoor
Ian & Di Taylor
Gavin Toovey
Judith & Rod Tudball
Heather & Jim Tunmore
Robyn & Loren White
Deborah Wiseman
Alison Woodman
Andrew Yeates
Dr Susan Young
Mr Chris and Mrs Kathy Ziatas
Unnamed (38)

FRIENDS CIRCLE $40+
534 Members


John Albright & Susan Lorimer – Education Double Bass and set of Trumpets
Dr Glenda Campbell-Evans & Dr Ken Evans AM – Tenor Trombone
Peter Ingram – Piccolo
Deborah Marsh – Conductor’s Podium and Cor Anglais
Margaret & Rod Marston – Bass Clarinet
Peggy & Tom Stacy – Cor Anglais and Piccolo
Jean & Peter Stokes – Cello, Tuba, Tenor Trombone, Bass Trombone, Wooden Trumpet, French Horn and Music Score Folders


Major Gifts
Tom & Jean Arkley
Bendat Family Foundation
Gavin Bunning Family
Janet Holmes à Court AC
Rod & Margaret Marston
Minderoo Foundation
Rosalin Sadler
In memory of Bob Tonkinson
In memory of Francis Edward Yeomans
Sagitte Yom-Tov Fund

Estates
Lee Bickford
Rachel Mabel Chapman
S & J Dale
Sandra Gray
Liz Harrison
Malcolm Hood
Clive Knight
Paul Lee
Wolfgang Lehmkuhl
Tony & Gillian Milne
William Muston
Patricia New
Anna Nottage in memory of Edgar Nottage
Claude & Noreen Riordan
Colleen Rintoul
Wendy Scanlon
Judy Sienkiewicz
Roslyn Warrick
Unnamed (8)


Julian Agafonoff & David Escott
Kevin 'Joe' Blake
Davilia Bleckly
Jon Bonny
Dr G Campbell-Evans
Deirdre Carlin
Philip & Frances Chadwick
Dr Anne Chester
Anita & James Clayton
Lesley & Peter Davies
J.A.M
Dr Michael Flacks
John Foster
Judith Gedero
Robyn Glindemann
Pitsamai and Kevin Green
Gwenyth Greenwood
The Guy Family
Richard B Hammond
Angus Holmes
Roger Jennings in memory of Lilian Jennings
Emy & Warren Jones
Barbara Joseph
Colin & Jo King
Stewart Lloyd
Dr Mary Ellen MacDonald
Anne & William MacLeod
Deborah Marsh
Lesley & Murray McKay
Suzanne Nash
Paul Nendick
Paula Phillips
Wayne Robinson
Jan & Bryan Rodgers
Nigel & Dr Heather Rogers
Rosalin Sadler in memory of Joyce Durbin Sadler
Peta Saunders
Jacinta Sirr-Williams
Ross & Laurel Smith
Susan Stitt
Ruth Stratton
Ruth E. & Neville Thorn
Gavin Toovey & Jaehan Lee
George Van Beek in memory of Robyn Van Beek
Agatha van der Schaaf
Rachael Kirk & Tim White
Sheila Wileman
Sagitte Yom-Tov Fund
Unnamed (45)

Trusts & Foundations

Crescendo

Crescendo / Hospital Orchestra Project

Associate Conductor

Harmony / Associate Conductor

Wright Burt Foundation

McCusker Charitable Foundation

Corporate Partners

Principal Partner

Government Partners

Premiere Partners

Serenade the City Partner

Lead Partners

Major Partners

Supporting Partners

Beverage Partners

To share in our vision and discuss the many opportunities extended through corporate partnerships please contact Corporate Development on 08 9326 0020.