Frankston Symphony Orchestra (FSO) is one of ten community orchestras in Victoria, Australia. It is from the Melbourne suburb of Frankston on the Mornington Peninsula. The orchestra forms a part of the Frankston Music Society, which also includes the Mornington Peninsula Chorale.
Frankston Music Society was founded in 1967 by the world-renowned pianist Vera Bradford and fellow residents from the area.[1] [2] The Orchestra was formed first in 1968, with the chorale following in 1979.
Bradford raised the profile of the orchestra dramatically during its early years. She performed with the orchestra; she also organized notable soloists to perform with it, including Ron Farren-Price and Geoffrey Tozer. The orchestra had a number of notable past conductors, including Eric Austin-Phillips, George Logie-Smith OBE, Yoshinao Osawa, Joannes Roose, and Mark Shiell.[3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
The orchestra performs regularly at the Frankston Arts Centre and also tours regional Victoria.[8] Apart from traditional concerts, the orchestra also performs concerts of children's music, film and television scores, and contemporary pieces.