Vocational Service Award - 2006/2007

On 18^th October 2006, the Club recognized the work of Trevor Green, Managing Director of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with the presentation to him of the Vocational Service Award.  

This award is made annually by RCM in recognition of excellence in vocation, and service to the community through that vocation.  Trevor was delighted to receive the award and commented that, as he had addressed us previously on the subject of his life, he would on this occasion talk about the MSO.

The MSO is almost 100 years old.  A review in The Age of its inaugural performance on 11 December 1906 said that it was "a promising first appearance".  Trevor said that it is "still here, and in great form".  It was the first professional orchestra in Australia.

All orchestras (perhaps all cultural institutions) face artistic and financial difficulties in their lifetimes, and Trevor outlined the MSO's ability to respond to such challenges, often helped by patrons.  Sidney Myer at one stage gave a very generous endowment of shares, which have provided a steady income, in return for the orchestra's commitment to provide three free concerts per year for the people of Melbourne. 

The ABC took control of the orchestra in 1940 and this long association is about to come to an end.  "Becoming independent" is a new phase for the orchestra and will present new challenges, not least in having to separate itself from the benefits of Commonwealth Public Servants' Superannuation and federal government insurance.  A happy relationship with the ABC will however remain, and we will continue to hear broadcasts of MSO concerts.

Of course, if we want to hear the concerts live, the MSO has embarked on an innovative program of attracting new audiences by partnering artists who have not traditionally performed with symphony orchestras (Elton John, KISS, John Farnham).  The move has been remarkably successful in generating higher audience numbers.  And there is always the opportunity of hearing the MSO perform live in Europe in 2007, as it celebrates its centenary in style, with concerts in London, Paris and Milan among other venues.

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