Two professional musicians are aspiring to bring more musical opportunities to locals, following the creation of the Western Sydney Philharmonic.
Launched in Parramatta last week, Western Sydney Philharmonic, or West Phil for short, will bring together students and top professional musicians to learn from each other and create memorable performances.
Created by classically trained violinists and long-time friends Maximilian Holzner and Kristian Winther, West Phil aims to “bring more music” to western Sydney.
“As young musicians many years ago, we wanted to create an orchestra and as we got older we realised it had to be for greater benefit than just for us. It had to be in a place that needed it, a place where it would make a difference,” Artistic Director Mr Winther said.
After coming to western Sydney to teach, West Phil Chair Mr Holzner noticed a distinct lack of musical opportunities for students in Parramatta, compared to that of the inner west.
“After having students for a few years and having them get to a certain level, I tried to see what we could do with them. There was very little out there and what was there always had the connotation of being the ‘B-team’,” Mr Holzner said.
It wasn’t until putting on a few workshops and concerts and seeing the great response from locals that Mr Holzner realised the potential a western Sydney orchestra could have.
“You could see for the first time what could be possible and it was relatable. Kristian and I thought maybe we should take this up to the next level,” he said.
“Western Sydney is integral to who we are and what we want to do, which is to provide an opportunity for young musicians who reflect the inclusivity and diversity of the region, and which lifts the artistic and cultural profile of the region.”
City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Donna Davis, who attended the launch, said that the establishment of West Phil was an important moment in the cultural life of Parramatta and western Sydney, and would “fill a series of voids”.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.