“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!
Program & Repertoire
Melody EÖTVÖS The Saqqara Bird (9 mins)
Felix MENDELSSOHN Violin Concerto in E minor (27 mins)
Allegro molto appassionato –
Andante –
Allegro non troppo – Allegro molto vivace
Interval (25 mins)
Dmitri SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No.5 (46 mins)
Moderato – Allegro non troppo
Allegretto
Largo
Allegro non troppo
Anja Bihlmaier conductor
Benjamin Beilman violin
Listen to WASO
This performance is recorded for broadcast Tuesday 1 September 2026, 1pm (AWST) on ABC Classic. Date subject to change. For further details visit abc.net.au/classic.
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.
Laurence Jackson Concertmaster
Riley Skevington Associate Concertmaster
Semra Lee Assistant Concertmaster
Alexandra Isted Principal 1st Violin
Zak Rowntree* Principal 2nd Violin
Kate Sullivan Assistant Principal 2nd Violin
Sarah Blackman
Stephanie Dean
Amy Furfaro
Rebecca Glorie
Emma Hunt
William Huxtable
Sunmi Jung
Christina Katsimbardis
Kathryn Lee
Jasmine Middleton^
Lucas O’Brien
Melanie Pearn
Louise Sandercock
Jolanta Schenk^
Jane Serrangeli
Aya Smith^
Luisa Theis°
Theresa Vinci^
Samantha Wickramasinghe
Susannah Williams
Daniel Schmitt
Alex Brogan
Kierstan Arkleysmith
Nik Babic
Alison Hall
Rachael Kirk
James Munro
Elliot O’Brien
Katherine Potter°
Helen Tuckey
Rod McGrath
Melinda Forsythe^
Jeremy Garside
Shigeru Komatsu
Oliver McAslan
Sacha McCulloch
Nicholas Metcalfe
Fotis Skordas
Andrew Sinclair*
John Keene
Robin Brawley
Oakley Paul^
Josh Spirek^
Giovanni Vinci
Andrew Nicholson
Mary-Anne Blades
Sonia Croucher
Liz Chee
Stephanie Nicholls°
Jonathan Ryan
Allan Meyer
Som Howie
Alexander Millier
Jane Kircher-Lindner
Natalya Czernicziw^
Chloe Turner
David Evans
Eve McEwen
Julia Brooke
Ben Jacks^
Francesco Lo Surdo
Jenna Smith
Orson Paine
Peter Miller
Joshua Davis
Liam O’Malley
Jeremy Alderson^
Chloe Higgins
Alex Timcke
Brian Maloney
François Combémorel Associate Principal Percussion & Timpani
Robyn Gray^
Carissa Soares^
Tijana Kozarcic^
Kira Leigh^
Graeme Gilling^
About the Artists
Anja Bihlmaier
Benjamin Beilman
About the Music
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.
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 WASO Mobile Box Office located inside the Winthrop Hall foyer. The WASO Mobile Box Office is open 90 minutes before each performance, and during interval. Alternatively, you can visit waso.com.au to buy online or book an in-person ticketing appointment by calling (08) 9326 0000.
NextGen: Explore ATAR & More
In April, the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and Tertiary Education Partner, The University of Western Australia, presented an inspiring educational concert at the Heath Ledger Theatre, State Theatre Centre of WA. Designed specifically for secondary school music students, this annual NextGen: Explore ATAR & More performance offered an exceptional side-by-side experience, pairing WASO musicians with emerging talent from the Conservatorium of Music.
The concert provided an in-depth exploration of key works from the ATAR Music syllabus, combining performance with guided analysis to deepen students' musical understanding. Under the direction of conductor John Keene, with engaging commentary from presenter Dr. Ashley Smith, the program began with James Ledger’s vibrant and rhythmic work, Indian Pacific.
The program then explored three set works from the ATAR syllabus: the first movement of Amy Beach’s Gaelic Symphony, a captivating performance of Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto (third movement) with WASO Principal Trumpet Jenna Smith, and Smetana’s evocative Má Vlast: Vltava (The Moldau).
Through live musical demonstrations and thoughtful commentary, students were guided through the structural, historical, and stylistic elements of each piece. This immersive experience not only enriched their theoretical understanding but also honed their aural and analytical skills— making it a valuable learning opportunity for all in attendance.
The concert reinforced WASO’s ongoing commitment to music education in Western Australia and celebrated the vibrant connection between professional and emerging musicians.
Presented by WASO in association with Education Tertiary Partner, The University of Western Australia.
Thank You for the Difference You Make
Thank you to everyone who made a gift to WASO through our Annual Giving program.
Your generosity is deeply felt in each rehearsal, performance, education activity, and moment of connection shared with our community. Philanthropy is essential to WASO’s future, providing the stability and flexibility needed to sustain inspiring programming, nurture exceptional talent, deliver learning and community initiatives, and share the power of music with our community.
To all our Donors: thank you for your generosity; thank you for your belief in or work and thank you for the difference you make.
To those considering giving to WASO, we would be delighted to welcome you into our Giving Circle family. From just $40 a year, you can join one of our Giving Circles and develop a closer connection to your Orchestra at exclusive rehearsals and events.
To make a gift, contact our Philanthropy team at philanthropy@waso.com.au or (08) 9326 0016.
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.
