27 February 2020

CSO's free Queanbeyan concert a chance for the region to heal after a tough summer

| Ian Bushnell
Start the conversation
Music by the River

Last year’s Music by the River concert in Queanbeyan: numbers have grown every year since 2017. Photo: CSO.

The Canberra Symphony Orchestra will return to Queanbeyan this weekend for its annual Music by the River concert, a free outdoor performance of classical favourites.

The family-friendly event at Queen Elizabeth II Park on the banks of the Queanbeyan River on Saturday evening is presented by Icon Water in partnership with Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC).

Led by concertmaster Kirsten Williams, Music by the River will feature favourites by Mozart, Vivaldi, Verdi, and Haydn, and provides an opportunity for the region to experience the sounds of a symphony orchestra, and for the community to come together after such a terrible summer.

This will be the fourth year that the CSO has performed in Queanbeyan, in what has become a highlight in Queanbeyan’s cultural calendar.

“I am eagerly anticipating the return of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra to our beautiful Queanbeyan River,” Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council Mayor Cr Tim Overall said.

“It is always a brilliant event in a picturesque location. I encourage everyone to put this in their calendars as a must-do event.”

Icon Water managing director Ray Hezkial said Icon Water was proud to partner with Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council for the fourth year running. “It really is an event not to be missed,” he said.

The CSO has been embraced by the Queanbeyan-Palerang audience, with attendance growing at each event since 2017.

CSO CEO Rachel Thomas said music was so important for community life, and “it’s our pleasure to support this event again in 2020″.

CSO Concertmaster Kirsten Williams said the orchestra was “thrilled to be performing some of our favourite pieces of music for this beautiful evening by the river”.

This year the performance will be amplified to both sides of the river, allowing attendees to enjoy the performance from both Queen Elizabeth II Park and the grass slopes near Ray Morton Park.

There will be a wide variety of quality food and drink vendors serving on the night, and picnics are also welcome. The entertainment begins at 5:00 pm, with the CSO playing from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Seats can be booked on the terraced amphitheatre, with prices between $10 and $15 (plus booking fee). General admission on the sloping grass banks and around the park is free.

For both terraced seating and general admission, book tickets via www.eventbrite.com. (General admission bookings assist with event planning and no seating locations are allocated.)

For more information, go to www.qprc.nsw.gov.au/CSO.

Music by the River

When: From 5:30 pm. Saturday, 29 February

Where: Queen Elizabeth II Park, Queanbeyan

Cost: Free (allocated seating is available for purchase).

Original Article published by Ian Bushnell on The RiotACT.

Start the conversation

Daily Digest

Do you like to know what’s happening around your region? Every day the About Regional team packages up our most popular stories and sends them straight to your inbox for free. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.