Our Mission

The Gold Coast Symphony Orchestra (GCSO) is a group of professional musicians who aim to present fine classical music of the highest standard for the enjoyment and enrichment of the people of the Gold Coast and beyond.

Our Vision

The  GCSO will become a strong and exciting new force in the local music scene through live performances, educational programs and the incorporation of technology in our performances.
By developing a meaningful relationship with the local community, we hope to enrich the cultural lives of people in and around the Gold Coast.

Establishing the Orchestra

Yanna Talpis's vision for the GCSO came about in early 2007 while visiting the Gold Coast. She attended a performance of Handel's Messiah by the Gold Coast City Choir, conducted by Ruth Gurner, and her life has not been the same since.
"It was fantastic and I realised that there was vast and wonderful musical talent and culture on the Gold Coast. Yet there was no professional Symphony Orchestra that the city could call its own, even though the Gold Coast is Australia's sixth largest city.
Together with Melbourne doctor Josef Goldbaum, Yanna set about establishing a professional  Gold Coast Orchestra, using local talent and giving local musicians the opportunity to perform in their home city.
Yanna despaired that so much wonderful talent was being drained from the Gold Coast. "Classically trained musicians and gifted students were having to go interstate or overseas to find a job" she said. So, with Dr Goldbaum as CEO, Yanna registered the name Gold Coast Symphony Orchestra and began holding auditions in July 2007.
More than 40 musicians were selected to perform the first concert - the Christmas Concert. This world-class performance was a huge success and marked the ‘birth' of the orchestra. Mayor Cr. Ron Clarke addressed the audience and welcomed the Orchestra to the Coast.
The second concert - The Valentines: Love and Passion, brought together more than 50 musicians and one of the largest percussion sections ever assembled in Queensland. Again of world-class standard, this stunning performance wowed the audience.
Both concerts thrilled not only the audiences, but the musicians themselves and recordings will be available soon.
The Orchestra's short-term plan is to present several concerts a year and, in the long term, to become a fully professional orchestra with subscription series, community outreach activities and a strong and supportive group of ‘Friends of the Orchestra'.
Forming a fresh orchestra by drawing together disparate talents and producing two successful concerts within six months was a logistical nightmare. However, Yanna explains that she's not prepared to compromise on quality. She understands that it is the conductor's job to make sure the chemistry between players and audiences is just right.
‘‘This Orchestra is going to be wonderfully different ... it's going to make this city sing.''