9-16 MARCH 2025
COMMON GROUND
Common Ground considers the music that starts with vibrant cultures and their musical self-expression. The enduring legacy of folk music with its ancient rhythms and evocative melodies finds common ground in the present-day in works by Sandor Veress, Peter Sculthorpe and Gerard Brophy. Here, the music honours its origins while connecting with the rich tapestry of past traditions. A particular treat will be the haunting strains of a Balinese gamelan orchestra.
15-22 JUNE 2025
ECHOES
Echoes takes us on a journey through the rich cultures of our Asian neighbours, finding points of mutual attraction and dynamic interplay, creating a harmonious dialogue between not-so-distant lands. East will meet west in music by Anne Boyd, Julian Yu and Andrián Pertout, and amply illustrate how Australian music is the richer for this connection. Echoes will feature celebrated Australian clarinetist, Lloyd Van’t Hoff.
14-21 SEPTEMBER 2025
FOREST BATHING
Forest Bathing or shinrin-yoku draws on the Japanese concept of finding renewal within the natural landscape. The repertoire in this concert reflects the beauty of the natural world, from the majestic stillness of a forest to the tumultuous roar of a coastal landscape. Music by Elena Kats-Chernin, Peter Sculthorpe and Brenda Gifford will offer respite from the hectic pace of the modern world, creating tranquil spaces for self-reflection, perhaps the essential wellsprings of mindfulness.
2025 Season & Tickets
Steel City Strings is proud to announce its 2025 season.
Our first concert series Common Ground is inspired by folk music from around the world that finds common ground in the present day with composers Paul Stanhope, Gerard Brophy and Chris Sainsbury and features gamelan ensemble Suwitra Jaya UNSW.
The second series Echoes journeys through our Asia – east meets west with Australian composers Anne Boyd, Julian Yu and Andrian Pertout influenced by Asian culture and music and featuring acclaimed clarinetist Lloyd Van’t Hoff.
The final series of this year Forest Bathing is about the healing power of nature featuring music by Elena Kats-Chernin, Peter Sculthorpe and Brenda Gifford and World Premiere’s of commissions by accomplished composer Katia Beaugeais and emerging composer Gabriel Fromyhr.
Where SCS performs
Steel City Strings, Illawarra’s Chamber Orchestra, performs a wide variety of works from classic to popular, often collaborating with talented Illawarra soloists and performers. In 2023 and 2024, Steel City Strings full ensemble performed at:
- Wollongong Art Gallery
- Wollongong Town Hall
- Bowral Memorial Hall
- Burrawang School of Arts
- Nowra School of Arts
- Shellharbour Civic Center
- St Francis Xavier Catholic Cathedral Wollongong
Performances may be at other venues in Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, Berry, Nowra and the Southern Highlands, for concerts featuring smaller ensembles.
How to book tickets
Visit our Event Calendar to see information on all upcoming concerts, including the ticket booking link for each concert. At the start of each season, it is also possible to buy Season Tickets.
Other musical events in the region
Steel City Strings encourages and supports local musicians organising external concerts in the community.
Wollongong Conservatorium
The Wollongong Conservatorium, a key partner to SCS, offers a wide range of events from local classical musicians. View the Wollongong Conservatorium What’s On page to find out more.
Experience the Energy
Steel City Strings Chamber Orchestra performs a wide variety of works from classic to popular, often collaborating with talented Illawarra soloists and performers.
Steel City Strings provides an important platform:
- for local musicians to come together to play exciting music
- to inspire young local string players
- to feature local soloists
- to support and showcase talented Australian composers
Concerts have featured compositions by Australian composers Carr-Boyd, Sculthorpe, Ford and Grainger as well as local composers John Spence, Michael Barkl and Adrian Whitehall. The orchestra also features the talents of exceptional local solo musicians.
Mentoring and developing young local players through coaching and providing opportunities to play and perform with the orchestra is an integral part of our strategy for developing the orchestra and its members.
Adrian Davis
Artistic Director/Principal Viola
Kyle Little
Assistant Artistic Director/Concert Master
Ethan Ireland
Principal Double Bass
Jacob Antonio
Principal Violin
Latest News
2024 Season Announcement
Steel City Strings is thrilled to announce an exciting 2024 Season Program. A new year will bring 3 carefully curated programs to delight all concert goers who love string music. Program 1 - "Identity" tells the story of human nature and the amazing ability within all...
Renowned Saxophonist Pays Tribute to Local Area – Body and Soul.
Media Release For Immediate Release October 31st, 2023. Renowned Saxophonist Pays Tribute to Local Area - Body and Soul. Steel City Strings has a proven track record of outstanding commissions from Australian composers and this new work from Nick Russoniello is no...
Cellissimo Premiere – The cellists
The cellists of Steel City Strings have formed a cello quartet. We are proud to introduce them as "Cellissimo". In their inaugural program, Cellissimo have chosen a delicious program. In this year of 2023, ABC Classic FM listeners voted the cello Australia's favourite...
