Raymond and Eve Curtis - the orchestra's pioneers

A Short History of the Tamborine Mountain Orchestra

The orchestra has been in existence on the Mountain since 1974 when a group of enthusiasts, led by Raymond and Eve Curtis and friends, conducted cake stalls and other fund-raising activities to bring a youth orchestra into being. In those days there were only about 700 people living on the Mountain, no street lights, little bitumen on the roads and no music in the schools – but great enthusiasm for bringing an orchestra into being. From this start we now have a very creditable community orchestra.

There are usually about 20 to 25 members and ages range from 85 to 16 years of age! We recognise that many people may not have played for years and may be a bit rusty, but this is OK. We find that the old skills come back surprisingly quickly when one is enjoying playing with others. We play a range of works from Broadway to Jazz to Big Band to light classical to Australian traditional. 

The aims of the orchestra are for the players to enjoy making music with others in a friendly, happy and creative atmosphere, and to perform public concerts, usually four times a year. We rehearse each Wednesday evenings, usually with time out during school holidays, from 7.00 to 9.00 p.m. at St George’s Church, Dapsang Drive, Tamborine Mountain. Our regular concerts are performed on Sundays starting at 2.00 p.m. except for our Christmas Carol Concert which starts at 7.30 p.m. and the proceeds of which go to a charity.

If you can read music and can play an instrument and you would like to enquire about joining our happy ‘band’, please ring Barbara on 0438 775575 or Russell 0407 110183. You can also check us out on Facebook.