Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

A Choral Centenary celebrates a hundred years of Sydney Philharmonia. The organisation was originally founded as a low-key suburban choir named after the Sydney suburb where it began: the Hurlstone Park Choral Society. At that time, it was conducted by an amateur and run by its members, all volunteers. Most of its concerts were given for local charities.All that was to change over the next century, in the choir itself and in the wider musical environment. This book tells the story of that growth. Like most musical institutions, Philharmonia has had its ups and downs; times of triumph and times of trouble. Its reputation has waxed and waned, sadly lacking on some occasions, garnering great praise on many others. The book charts the exciting history of an organisation which is also human to its core, bringing together those who love to sing and those who love to hear large and small choirs performing great music.The Philharmonia story reflects the changing society in which it has performed for a hundred years. It has always been a mirror of its times, both social and musical: the tough years through the Great Depression, the impact of broadcasting, the Second World War, the flood of new musical opportunities during the 1970s and 1980s, the growth of professional arts management. More recently, Philharmonia has led the charge to bring choral music to wider audiences through its outreach programs, its youth choir, Festival Chorus, ChorusOZ and many other initiatives.