Opening door to New Worlds
ACCLAIMED conductor and founder of Townsville’s Australian Festival of Chamber Music Theodore “Ted” Kuchar has returned to the city to conduct the first concert of the season for community-owned Barrier Reef Orchestra.
It is a sentimental journey for Mr Kuchar because the concert is being staged at James Cook University where his North Queensland odyssey began. Mr Kuchar was brought to Townsville by former JCU vice-chancellor Ray Golding as the university’s artist in residence to fulfil a dream of establishing an international music festival.
Mr Kuchar led the festival as its artistic director for 17 years from 1991. President of the Barrier Reef Orchestra Judy Hunter said they were grateful for the opportunity to have Mr Kuchar’s expertise.
“It’s a great honour to have somebody of his stature return to Townsville to conduct a community or- chestra,” Ms Hunter said. Mr Kuchar is now Principal Conductor of the Ukrainian Festival Orchestra.
It was Mr Kuchar who suggested the Barrier Reef Orchestra’s New Worlds event be performed at the university’s Sir George Kneipp Auditorium after Townsville Civic Theatre was closed by flood damage.
New Worlds featuring Dvorak’s symphony From The New World will be staged from 7.30pm Saturday. Tickets from Townsville Civic Theatre.