Hobart Chamber Orchestra

The Hobart Chamber Orchestra (HCO) is a chamber orchestra based in Hobart, Tasmania. HCO was formed by a group of Hobart string players and conductor Reg Chapman in 1987. Annual programming of at least four concerts provides performance opportunities for rising student musicians, musicians pursuing other careers and semi-professional and retired musicians. This quality ensemble also provides soloist performance opportunities for Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra members and exceptional music graduates alike and regularly collaborates with the Tasmanian Chorale and soloists to perform choral repertoire. Guest conductors have included Myer Fredman, Jean-Louis Forestier, Christopher Martin, Gary Wain, Phillip Taylor and Joseph Ortuso, and the orchestra regularly performs under the direction of virtuoso violinist, Peter Tanfield. The HCO has been an important ensemble in Tasmania performing both music from the baroque and classical periods right through to newly commissioned works by composers including Matthew Dewey, Don Kay, Dylan Sheridan and Thanapoom Sirichang.

The HCO is fundamentally a string ensemble of 24 players, although the orchestra sometimes augments to include winds, brass and percussion depending on the repertoire.

References