Sounds Of Sydney Symphony To Help Ease Drought Pain

Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, today said the Sydney Symphony would celebrate its 75th anniversary with a special drought benefit concert at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre on Saturday, September 8 at 5.00pm. The Sydney Symphony, Tamworth Regional Council and the NSW Government today announced details of the Tamworth concert which is part of the Orchestra's 2007 Regional Touring Program.

"This is the fourth year in a row the NSW Government and the Sydney Symphony have joined forces to raise money for rural communities feeling the full brunt of this relentless drought," Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, said.

"Drought has a stranglehold on 96 per cent of NSW, and the New England has had a tough time of it lately, with very little relief over the past several months."

"With the support of a range of partners, we hope to raise up to $100,000 which will be donated to local charities that assist drought-affected families in the Tamworth and surrounding districts."

"The drought recovery concert will lift morale for people in the bush while also providing a financial boost for charities that do so much to help families cope with these tough times."

"Money raised will be divided equally among the drought recovery programs of the Red Cross, Anglicare, St. Vincent de Paul and Salvation Army."

"A total of 85 Sydney Symphony musicians will be flown into Tamworth by two specially chartered REX planes. They will be accompanied by two tonnes of instruments ranging from double basses and trombones through to flutes and oboes."

"This will be an affordable concert for the people of regional NSW with ticket prices at adults $30 and children $15 and a family ticket for $75."

The Tamworth Regional Council together with Tourism Tamworth Limited have shown their commitment to this event by providing the Concert venue and ticketing free of charge.

The concert is also made possible by a large number of corporate partners including Major Presenting Partner, BHP Billiton. Sydney Symphony Managing Director, Libby Christie, said the Tamworth birthday performance will be a highlight of the Orchestra's upcoming 2007 regional touring program.

"This year the Sydney Symphony will visit eight regional towns performing in hospitals, schools, concert halls and theatres," Ms Christie said. "This will take us to Wagga Wagga, Griffith, Albury, Newcastle, Bega, Milton, Thirroul and, of course, Tamworth."

Ms Christie said she was once again pleased to join forces with the NSW Department of Primary Industries and other partners to help regional communities.

"The success of previous drought recovery benefit concerts in Griffith, Broken Hill and Orange has inspired us to once again help communities still struggling with this terrible drought, and we are grateful to the support of the NSW Government, Minister Macdonald and many generous sponsors for helping to make these concerts happen," Ms Christie said. "Regional touring is a very important part of our work. The Sydney Symphony belongs to all the people of NSW and the Orchestra performs throughout regional NSW regularly each year."

"I know the musicians thoroughly enjoy their time 'on the road' and getting to know our supporters and audiences outside the metropolitan area."

The 2007 Sydney Symphony annual regional tour is made possible by the NSW Government through the NSW Department of Primary Industries, the NSW Department for Natural Resources and NSW Ministry for the Arts; BHP Billiton; Regional Express Airlines; Xstrata Coal; Snowy Hydro Ltd; Tamworth Council; Telstra; St.George Bank; Cadia Valley Operations, Allco Finance, Deloitte Foundation, the Land, the Royal Agricultural Society and the Federal Government through the Australia Council for the Arts.

Tickets for the 2007 Tamworth performance on sale from 1 April - $30 standard, $15 concession, seniors, students and under 20s. -- www.sydneysymphony.com