The Education Chamber Orchestra was born in 1995 from the need to find more cost effective touring options to embrace the huge state of Western Australia and as an educational tool to visit schools and provide community outreach. Jo Neville, the secretary to the WASO G.M. at the time, thought up the name.
An ensemble consisting of 15 players, EChO represents most instruments of the orchestra: 2 violins, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, harp and a percussionist.
The first arrangements were created by WASO player William Stewart and Iain Grandage and were aimed at popular TV themes and children’s songs. The first presenter was the WASO Education Officer, Prue Ashurst. The first trial performance was at “Juniors” day care across the street from the Adelaide Terrace ABC building, where a few of the staff had their children in day care.
1995
1996
An EChO logo was created and T shirts printed.
A recording was produced and released by the A.B.C. with Benita Collings presenting.
1996 – Kimberley Tour with an A.B.C. documentary crew
coutesy David de Vos, A.B.C.
New T shirts were created with colour coding differentiating the sections of the orchestra in order to help audience members to identify where an instrument performs within an orchestra.
EChO players perform individual demonstrations on their instruments and aim their repertoire to appeal to the age of the audience, ranging from pre schools to retirement villages.
Andrew Horabin became the presenter for several years, able to read and appeal to any audience.
2000
In 2000, EChO spent a week visiting the major prisons of Perth. It was an extraordinary and profound experience for everyone involved, but not continued after a not very well segregated prisoner was stabbed during the Ensemble’s exit from Hakea Prison.
2001
In 2001, EChO travelled to Sydney to participate in a week of education workshops with renowned educator and cellist, Matthew Barley.
2002 – Kimberley Tour
Today, EChO is active in the community, particularly with its popular “EChO the Gecko” Show.
