PRINCIPAL PARTNER CONTENTS Mission Statement 3 Orchestra List 4 Chairman’s Report 5 Artistic Director’s Report 6 Managing Director’s Report 7 National Concert Season 8–19 Special Events 20–27 International Tours 28–30 ACO2 Tours 31 ACO Underground 32 Recordings 33–34 Education Report 35–37 Disability Action Plan 38 Instrument Fund Report 39 Emerging Artists & ACO2 Report 40–41 ACO Virtual Report 42–43 ACO Events 44 Attendance Figures 45–46 Corporate Governance 47–48 Artistic Vibrancy 49 ACO Corporate Partners 50 ACO Government Partners 51 Medici Program 51 Life Patrons 51 Bequest Patrons 52 General Support Patrons 52 ACO Next 52 ACO Trusts & Foundations 53 ACO Instrument Fund 53 Special Commissions & Special Projects 54 ACO National Education Program 55–57 ACO Chairman’s Council 58 ACO Committees 59 Staff List 60 COVER: SATU VÄNSKÄ PHOTO: GARY HEERY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 2 MISSION STATEMENT To inspire and challenge audiences everywhere through the music we play. VISION To be recognised as one of the finest chamber orchestras in the world, renowned for the integrity and excellence of its musicianship, the boldness and vitality of its programming, and the loyalty of its audiences, stakeholders and supporters. CORE VALUES The core values of the ACO are the principles which have been adopted over the years to provide guidance and context for the Orchestra’s artistic development and its relationships with audiences and stakeholders: – performing music of a quality and at a standard that both challenges and satisfies audiences and players alike; – adherence to principles of trust, honesty, candour and integrity in dealing with the needs and contributions of all players, members of staff and members of the board of directors in furthering the organisation’s achievements; – developing a holistic culture within the organisation that nurtures and supports the Orchestra’s artistic aspirations; – ensuring that all stakeholders are welcomed into the broad ACO family and are recognised for the contributions they make to it; and – aspiring to be distinctive and worthy representatives of Australian culture throughout the world. RICHARD TOGNETTI PHOTO: GARY HEERY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 3 ORCHESTRA LIST Richard Tognetti AO Artistic Director & Violin Helena Rathbone Principal Violin Satu Vänskä Principal Violin Glenn Christensen Violin Aiko Goto Violin Mark Ingwersen Violin Ilya Isakovich Violin Liisa Pallandi Violin Maja Savnik Violin Ike See Violin Christopher Moore Principal Viola Alexandru-Mihai Bota Viola Nicole Divall Viola Timo-Veikko Valve Principal Cello Melissa Barnard Cello Julian Thompson Cello Maxime Bibeau Principal Double Bass PART-TIME MUSICIANS Zoë Black Violin Caroline Henbest Viola Daniel Yeadon Cello As at 31 December 2015 CHRISTOPHER MOORE PHOTO: GARY HEERY 2015 ANNUAL REPORT 4 CHAIRMAN’S REPORTCHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2015 was a year of The ACO’s National Education Program began an exciting new The Australian Chamber Orchestra canmilestones be very –proud the 40th of its partnershipIt was an impressive in 2015 with year The for JoanDevelopment, and the Penrith although Symphony there artistic, audience access and financialanniversary achievements of the in Australian 2013. Orchestra.were quite Thisbig variances orchestral in training the revenue program from for corporate talented young sponsorship, philanthropy and fundraising events. The year It was a year in which the Orchestra Chamberpresented Orchestra a much itself, string players in Western Sydney, gave them the opportunity saw a shortfall against budget in corporate sponsorship higher number of performances in Australia25 years owing with Richard to a to work with musicians from the ACO and Penrith Symphony (down $192k) but an increase in philanthropic donations lighter than usual international touringTognetti schedule. at its This helm as Orchestra in intensive workshops and performances. (up $388k), largely thanks to a generous bequest and opened up the opportunity for severalArtistic extra Director,projects andin the 10 Inthe 2015, donation we said from goodbye Mindaroo to two Foundation treasured in members support of the ACO domestic concert season, thereby increasingyears of the Nationalpotential familyACO VIRTUAL. – Principal It wasViola also Chris an Mooreimpressive took yearup a forposition event with the box-office revenue for the year. Education Program. Melbournefundraising, Symphony with $770k Orchestra coming fromafter anine series years of fundraisingwith the ACO After almost three years of developmentTo celebrate and testing, the 40th ACO anddinners General and specialManager events Tim Calnin aimed moved at generating to the Opera support House. for Tim VIRTUAL made its first public appearanceanniversary at the season, Gold Coast wasthe ACO’sa steady growing hand atEducation the helm Program. of the ACO for five and a half Arts Centre in June 2013, attracting thegreat Orchestra public interest covered and years and was an invigorating leader for the ACO’s hardworking With revenue well ahead of budget and costs firmly under extensive publicity. This fully immersive,approximately interactive 450 digital years management team. I salute them both for their dedication, control, the Orchestra’s operating result for the year is installationof music by ofmore the thanACO 60encircles composers, the audience performing with with life-size over 30 passion and commitment to the Orchestra. At the same time I a surplus of $750k, which, when consolidated with the movingguest artists. images There of the were musicians myriad ofhighlights the ACO, in in 2015, surround- but perhaps welcome Richard Evans as the ACO’s new Managing Director, increase in value of the ACO Instrument Fund, produces an sound,the most and poignant enables wasthe userReflections to select onindividual Gallipoli, players,commemorating learn bringing with him a wealth of arts administration experience and after-tax surplus of $1.12M. theirthe Anzac individual Day part,centenary. build Thisup the program compositional was a year texture, in the and successes, and unwavering commitment. ‘playplanning, with withthe band.’creative This partners ground-breaking Neil Armfield, installation Nigel Jamieson, was This strong financial result has enabled the ACO to achieve The Australian Chamber Orchestra is the country’s only truly theCarl result Vine, ofSean a wonderfully Bacon and creativeRichard Tognettipartnership developing with Michela the accumulated reserves of $15.4M, which is 100% of the Board’s national performing arts company, and as such, I’d like to pay Ledwidgethemes and and ideas. Mish This Sparks dramatic, of Mod multi-media Productions, performance with superb long-term target of holding in reserves the equivalent of tribute to the Orchestra’s Principal Partner, Virgin Australia, and soundbrought recording together from moving Simon music, Lear stunning of bSound. visual Intended imagery to and 100% of the company’s annual expenditure. The Reserves its visionary CEO John Borghetti, for enabling the ACO to bring bringtouching the ACOspoken closer word. to This audiences concert in won regional a Helpmann Australia, Award for Policy has been developed to enable the ACO to embark on great music to the entire country and taking such great care of ACOBest VIRTUALSymphony was Orchestra subsequently Concert. installed at the Swan Hill ambitious artistic projects, to provide stability and security our musicians and their extraordinary instruments. I would like Regional Gallery in Victoria in July 2013 but proved also very during periods of economic uncertainty, and to support the The Orchestra returned to the United States in April – a to thank all of our supporters for enabling 2015 to be such an attractive to capital city venues, with a special installation prospective move by the ACO to new premises by 2019, with remarkable ten concerts in nine cities in 16 days – joining up exciting and vibrant year of celebration. taking place in October at the Sydney Opera House as part an expectation that the ACO’s next home will enable the with clarinettists Charles Neidich and Sharon Kam, touring to of the House’s 40th birthday celebrations. expansion of the Orchestra’s activities to encompass greater California, Georgia, New Jersey, Virginia, New Hampshire, Florida, I am proud to announce a consolidated surplus of $226,424, education and community engagement programs. WeKentucky, were delighted culminating that in our a performance long-term corporate at New York’s partner, Carnegie the which reflects, among other things, the increase in the value of CommonwealthHall. Repertoire included Bank of Australia,the US premiere extended performances its relationship of Jonny theThe ACO driver Instrument of the success Fund, of after the ACOallowing remains for the the interests of the withGreenwood’s the ACO Waterby becoming, written Founding specially Partnerfor Richard of ACO Tognetti and externalextraordinary unit holders. band of musicians under Richard Tognetti’s the Orchestra. While in New York, the Orchestra also performed VIRTUAL and that the creation of this new digital version Itindefatigable has been an leadership honour to andchair I thankthe Australian Richard andChamber his at a special private Anzac Day event, co-hosted by the of the ACO attracted a new corporate partner in Aurizon Orchestracolleagues during for another its 40th year anniversary of inventive year. programming I would like andto thank Australian Consul-General in New York, The Hon Nick Minchin as Associate Partner for three years.