The Sunshine Coast Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1972 by the late Olive Anderson Frame. It was originally named the “Sunshine Coast Concert Society and Youth Orchestra”, and at around the same time, Olive also founded the Sunshine Coast Music Teachers Association.
As a young woman, Olive studied music at the NSW Conservatorium of Music, and later in England at the Royal Academy of Music. Over the rest of her life, Olive was dedicated to teaching and promoting music on the Sunshine Coast, even when the population was only a fraction of what it is today. She taught many students the piano, and one of her earliest students was Sir Charles Mackerras, later to become a world renowned conductor. She had a number of music books published for student use, and also composed pieces for piano and orchestra.
The Orchestra, when first formed, consisted mainly of school students and a few mature players. Rehearsals were held at the Octagon Theatre at Tanawha.
Olive was the first musical director (conductor) and a committee was formed to oversee the running of the newly formed orchestra.
The Orchestra awarded scholarships for tuition to some of its young promising players. Over three years, from 1989 to 1991, weekend music camps were run at Coolum, ending with a public concert.
In the 1980s and 1990s, much of the Orchestra’s income was from donations and various council grants. Concerts were performed at various nursing homes around the Coast and the hinterland, at Mooloolaba Wharf, and at Buderim Community Hall.
Today the orchestra is thriving, with a full complement of fifty or more ex-professional and amateur players, and plays to sold-out audiences at venues across the Sunshine Coast.
The SCSO is proud to acknowledge support from the Sunshine Coast Council, in the form of a funding contribution through their Major Grants Creative Development Program, for our project titled "Sunshine Coast Symphony Orchestra 50th Anniversary Concert Season" in 2022.
This project is to present four major concerts at Venue 114 and include collaborations with past members, the Sunshine Coast Youth Orchestra, the Sunshine Coast Choral Society and Noosa Chorale, as well as special guest artists.
