SINFONIA GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
LOCAL MUSICIAN ANN WICKHAM, THE REGISTRAR OF WEXFORD SINFONIA, TAKES A LOOK BACK AT HOW THE GROUP CAME INTO BEING AND THE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION IT MAKES TO THE CULTURAL LIFE OF BOTH TOWN AND COUNTY
FOR almost 25 years Wexford Sinfonia has provided an invaluable and much- needed artistic hub in the South East. Young musicians are trained, the talents of more seasoned musicians are facilitated and the Wexford audience is treated to a standard of performance unlike that in any other county in Ireland. Wexford has a thriving arts scene with outstanding creatives in every discipline including musicians, composers, actors, writers, dancers and the visual arts. Compared to most other towns and cities across the country we are a bustling community of festivals and events.
The downturn in 2008 which devastated the county’s economy and brought many sectors to a standstill has not dampened Wexford’s cultural spirit on a local level.
The internationally acclaimed Wexford Opera Festival draws thousands of visitors to town and several million euros to our economy every autumn.
The festival, now in its 66th year and recently named ‘Best Festival’ at the International Opera Awards, would not have survived without its army of volunteers who are representative of the many enthusiasts behind every arts group in the county.
Wexford Sinfonia is no exception and depends heavily on the dedication and contribution of its members.
In the 1990s, Wexford’s rich tradition of marching bands was fading and the town was left bereft of musical activity.
Ruth Miller and Geraldine Mahon, teachers in the School of Music, often discussed the idea of starting an orchestra.
On one such occasion Ruth’s husband, Richard, suggested they ‘stop talking about it and go do something’ and so Wexford Sinfonia was founded in 1993.
A committee of five people was assembled: Richard Miller, Chairperson, stage and transport manager; Colette Cleary, treasurer; Jim Golden, PRO; Ruth Miller and Geraldine Mahon, registrars, librarians, and publicity.
After many phone calls, visits and letters to musicians around Wexford, Kilkenny, Waterford and Dublin, Ruth and Geraldine pulled together enough players to form an orchestra.
Some of these players are still highly valued members today, and they include Sinfonia’s leader, Teresa Doyle, Olwen Sheil, leader of the cello section, and french horn player Fergal Lynch, who travelled to rehearsals from Dublin every fortnight. Then, as now, players in Sinfonia had diverse job descriptions such as farmers, homemakers, teachers, doctors, civil servants, and students and so on.
With an orchestra now formed, the committee turned its attention to finding a conductor, rehearsal and concert venues and a programme.
Attending a ‘Miller Murder Mystery Party’ as a maid led to Fergus Sheil’s recruitment as the group’s first conductor.
Although the orchestra has employed several conductors over the years, Fergus has remained a favourite and contributed massively to the artistic direction of the group. Sinfonia’s inaugural concert was held on January 23, 1994, to a packed-out Rowe Street Church.
Through the years hundreds of players have
performed in Sinfonia’s four annual concerts. Sometimes the orchestra is small, other times there are up to 85 members on stage. Many have gone on to become music teachers, community band and choir directors, music therapists, music school principal, and professional musicians. The orchestra’s impact on music in the community is far reaching and invaluable.
Since 1993 the Miller Family have been the driving force behind Sinfonia. Their home has become storage for the large amount of orchestral repertoire accrued, which Ruth copies and sends to players for every concert. They have developed a stock of instruments to lend to players who might otherwise not have had the opportunity to play.
Richard has built instrument storage and transportation methods from scratch; he attends to roadside signage and is on hand at every single rehearsal and concert organising instrument set up, players seating and even pours the tea at break time! They are the finest example of volunteer work in the arts.
In September 2003 ‘Gateway’ was launched by Wexford Sinfonia in association with the Arts Department of Wexford County Council.
This offshoot orchestra is aimed towards older people who had once played an instrument in their youth or have just started learning an instrument.
It is designed to develop music making in a comfortable environment amid peers.
Several Gateway players have progressed onto Sinfonia over the years but many members prefer to remain in the group.
Rehearsals take place twice a month and Gateway Orchestra perform successful Christmas and summer concerts every year. Emily Redmond is the resident conductor and the orchestra is more than 60 members strong.
Since 1993 Sinfonia has gone from strength to strength. In 2013 Richard retired as Chairperson and Keith Miller took the helm. As an inclusive organisation Sinfonia is unique, the youngest performer is 12 and the eldest is 80. The orchestra rehearse for two weekends in the months before a concert. Players are mostly from Wexford but many travel from Cork, Dublin, Kilkenny and Waterford to participate in this group.
In recent years the committee took the decision to cut performances from four to two annual concerts in order to save costs, and concentrate efforts on large scale productions which have been supported by an ever growing and loyal audience.
Sinfonia employs nationally and internationally renowned conductors, composers, soloists and professional musicians for each concert which exposes members and audiences to the highest standard of musicianship.
Sinfonia prides itself on the fact that it provides a platform for young emerging talents and also collaborates with local groups including Wexford School of Ballet, Wexford Festival Singers, Vocare, Stagefright, Gorey Choral Society, Enniscorthy Choral Society, and Bray Choral Society.
In 2014 Sinfonia commissioned Liam Bates to compose and conduct ‘Heroes of the Helen Blake’. This important work was performed twice, in the County Council Buildings and in the National Concert Hall Dublin where a CD was recorded.
All profits from both concerts and CD were donated to the RNLI. ‘Heroes of the Helen Blake’ can be purchased in the RNLI shop and will also be available at our concerts.
Wexford Sinfonia is a unique group, a community orchestra that has reached exceptionally high standards of playing, and a group who can attract world class soloists.
In the future Sinfonia have plans to hold annual music workshops for young and emerging musicians, stage chamber music weekends and continue to promote Wexford as a centre for music excellence in Ireland.