Bundaberg Youth Orchestra celebrates 50 years
The region’s most talented musicians spanning five decades will be celebrated and will celebrate on Saturday night at a rare and special event. Meet 12 of those extraordinary talents:
Bundaberg
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Music bounced boldy around the St Luke’s performing arts centre on Wednesday afternoon, as music lovers young and old came together.
Participants old and new of the Bundaberg Youth Orchestra came out in force for rehearsals ahead of the 50th Anniversary Performance taking place this Saturday, September 17.
The anniversary performance celebrates the founding of the orchestra in 1972, and will include classic and modern favourites as part of the event.
Current students of the Bundaberg Youth Orchestra welcomed their predecessors, some professional musicians, some now music teachers and others coming back to music after time away.
Musicians include Selena Rasmussen, who Bargara locals will recognise from her incredible performance during this year’s Anzac Day Last Post, and proud music teacher Angela Ulbl.
Tickets are still available for the event online.
Meet the Bundaberg Youth Orchestra
Ruby-Rose Nguyen
Ruby-Rose Nguyen, 13, will be one of the Bundaberg Youth Orchestra members performing in this year’s anniversary event, playing the cello.
However, the cello isn’t her only instrument of choice - she is also a talented piano and flute player.
“I went through a series of instruments before I found the ones that resonated with me,” Miss Nguyen said.
“It first started off by exploring the many offers such as violin and percussion instruments,” she said.
Miss Nguyen was initially nervous to join the Bundaberg Youth Orchestra a year ago, but said the members had welcomed her with open arms.
“The members are some of the most skillful, optimistic, supportive, and considerate people I’ve ever known.”
She is beyond excited to be apart of the celebration event, and said as a new member it was an honour.
“I enjoy playing with this orchestra because I’m surrounded by a plethora of people who have such talents and artistry that I am constantly in awe and learn from.
“It is these people that I enjoy playing with that has help me improve my musical abilities and inspire me to reach further with my passion,” she said.
Selena Rasmussen
Selena Rasmussen, 31, began her journey into music at just six years of age when she took up the trumpet, and her love of music led her to join the Bundaberg Youth Orchestra in Year 5.
She played right through to the end of high school, and is one of many graduates excited to return to the orchestra.
“I just love playing orchestral pieces, I miss playing them, I miss playing with like-minded people who just enjoy music,” she said.
In her school days Miss Rasmussen had goals of becoming a professional musician, and does play professionally in local events such as the Anzac Day memorial.
“I teach at the moment and I absolutely love it and obviously hope to keep going with it,” she said.
“I want to inspire kids to take music seriously and go further with it.”
Nicole Strohfeldt
To those attending the anniversary event on Saturday, Nicole Stronfeldt will not be hard to miss as she will be playing the glorious double bass.
She began her journey into music at seven years old, and initially started on the piano.
“I didn’t start double bass until I was 15, when I got to high school I really wanted to play double bass.
“I had seen this giant instrument in an orchestra but there weren’t any available so I had to wait until someone graduated,” she said.
Mrs Strohfeldt has a strong connection to orchestral music, having played with the Queensland Youth Orchestra and the Australian Youth Orchestra.
She is excited to play again among friends at this year’s anniversary celebration.
“Most of us in this orchestra would have played these pieces at some point in the orchestra, to be able to come back and smash them out together is going to be really fun.”
Nikkita Castles
Nikkita Castles, 33, is one of many viola players in this year’s Anniversary performance but with a lifetime of experience with the instrument will be one of the leading sounds in the orchestra.
She took up the viola when she was eight and joined the orchestra in Year 6, and played through to Year 12.
Ms Castles achieved many musical goals set in her youth, including playing with the Queensland Conservatorium.
She has returned to the Bundaberg Youth Orchestra and is excited to be apart of an iconic anniversary.
“It’s lot of fun to see everyone and get to play with everyone again,” she said.
Angela Ulbl
Angela Ulbl’s journey into music began with a beloved music teacher, Mrs Silver who inspired her to teach and play music.
“I wanted to be her, she was my violin teacher at school,” she said.
Now a music teacher herself Mrs Ulbl, 40, said a twist of fate landed her with the same teaching circuit Mrs Silver once taught.
Mrs Ulbl began with the violin, and joined the Bundaberg Youth Orchestra in Year 5, playing with them right through to high school graduation.
“I just love the friendships, and we all just make such beautiful music together,” she said.
Christine Buwalda
Christine Buwalda can name the exact year she began with the orchestra in 1977 in Year 5.
She began with the violin, but will be one of the key viola players in this years’ anniversary performance.
Mrs Buwalda said it was a beloved music teacher that nurtured her musical journey.
“We started in the tuckshop, and had lessons there every Wednesday,” she said.
Her fond memories of those Wednesday afternoons playing with friends fostered a desire to be a music teacher herself, and now Mrs Buwalda is just that.
Greg Baxter
Greg Baxter, 49, is one of the few honorary members of this year’s anniversary performance, after receiving an invite to play in the percussion section.’
“I started playing in the brass band in Bundaberg roughly 30 years ago,” he said.
Mr Baxter is now the friendly face and owner of About Time Music, the premier music store in Bundaberg.
He is excited to play in such an exciting event such as this years anniversary performance, and to join renowned group of musicians.
“I always enjoy mixing with people who play music in Bundaberg,” he said.
Kerryn Haaksma
Kerryn Haaksma, 51, is another honorary member of this weekend’s anniversary performance, having been asked to join the Bundaberg Youth Orchestra two weeks ago.
Mrs Haaksma will be playing the viola for the performance, though made her start in music with the violin.
“My parents taught me piano to start, which I hated, but when my little sister started violin I said ‘I want to do that too,’” she said.
Now a music teacher in Childers at both Isis High and Childers Primary, Mrs Haaksma said she achieved the musical goals she set out when she was young.
“I have a couple of my students in the viola section here, so it’s nice to play with them.”
Lleyton Peterson
Lleyton Peterson, 17, is in his last year of the Bundaberg Youth Orchestra after joining five years ago.
“I’ve been playing music for 12 years now, after starting in grade 4 at Branyan Road State School,” he said.
Mr Peterson said he enjoyed music as a hobby, but loved the thrill of playing in an orchestra.
“There isn’t much that compares to being able to completely lock in with someone else while playing music, and letting each’s understanding of where they fit in just let them blend in with the overall effect.”
Mr Peterson hopes to continue his musical journey into university, where he has applied for the Queensland Youth Orchestra Wind Symphony.
“I am excited about the 50th anniversary, as I think it will be very enjoyable to play music with local teachers and enthusiasts, but also other musicians who have gone on to become professionals on their chosen instrument,” he said.
Kristen Apostol
Kristen Aposto, 16,l is another Bundaberg Youth Orchestra member in her final year as a student.
After taking up piano lessons at eight years old, she then moved onto violin and then the flute.
“I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember,” she said.
She now focuses on the flute, and will be playing the principal flute in this years anniversary performance.
“I can’t wait to witness the fruits of our hard work, especially combined with the extra ’oomph’ from Orchestra alumni,” she said.
Miss Apostol has big goals for her musical career but said it was the love of the art that kept her going.
“My goal is to play music selflessly, and reach people who are willing to listen. I definitely want to do a few small music projects here and there,” she said.
After joining the Bundaberg Youth Orchestra in 2018, she said she has learnt a lifetime of skills from her musical community.
“All in all, it stay because of the joy I’ve found in musical collaboration, the challenge and growth I’ve found from the music itself, the environment of talent and passion,” she said.
Grace Grolimund
Grace Grolimund, 18, has been playing music for 10 years after joining the compulsory string program at Bundaberg Christian College.
Miss Grolimund will be playing the viola in the Saturday night performance, and says she loves the community the Bundaberg Youth Orchestra gives her.
“I greatly admire our conductor, Robert Rotar, his passion for music and his drive to see us as young orchestra members thrive with our musicianship,” she said.
Miss Grolimund has big goals for her musical career, and is already a string teacher at the Bundaberg Christian College.
“I have loved sharing my passion and love for music with my students – I am a uni student studying nursing, however I also hope to continue playing and potentially incorporate my music into patient care,” she said.
Robert Rotar
Keen eyed spectators at the anniversary performance on Saturday night will have no trouble spotting Robert Rotar who will be conducting the orchestra.
Mr Rotar landed in the Bundaberg Youth Orchestra more than 30 years ago, when the opportunity to join came to him.
“There was an opening and I thought it was a wonderful thing to be involved in,” he said.
Mr Rotar spent his entire Bundaberg Youth Orchestra career as the conductor, and said music was always a passion.
“I have always enjoyed music and had some sort of sense of it as a language, it’s certainly very rewarding to understand.”
Mr Rotar said the chance to lead the orchestra during such a momentous anniversary celebration was truly a privilege.
“It’s humbling to know so many people are coming back to be a part of it,” he said.
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