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Mr Don Mercer, Chairman of Orchestra Victoria, have announced the appointment of Ms Elizabeth Tupper as the company’s new Managing Director. Elizabeth will commence with the company on 2 February 2009.

“The Board is delighted to announce Elizabeth’s appointment as Managing Director, ” said Mr Mercer. “She brings a wealth of relevant experience to the job and I look forward to working with her to build on the company’s success and create a new chapter in the history of the Orchestra.”

The Orchestra’s Artistic Director, Jo Beaumont welcomed the appointment. “Elizabeth brings a deep understanding of the role and functioning of orchestras which positions her extremely well to work with the musicians and the team at Orchestra Victoria. I am confident that with Elizabeth, I will be able to continue the artistic momentum the company has created.”

Orchestra Victoria is dedicated to bringing orchestral music to a wide cross-section of the Victorian community. It provides the orchestral accompaniment to the performances of The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia during their Melbourne seasons as well as to the Victorian Opera and The Production Company.

The Orchestra has a strong commitment to taking orchestral music to audiences throughout the state and presents 60 community concerts to audiences in Melbourne and across regional Victoria each year. These concerts are free and are organized in close consultation with community based organizations, local councils and audiences. The Orchestra is also dedicated to nurturing young talent and providing training to young musicians and does this by providing free mentoring to young musicians through its Mentors of Orchestra Victoria (mOVe!) workshops.

Don Mercer also said “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Les Rowe, who has ably managed the Orchestra since our long standing Managing Director, Peter Garnick, left the company in August this year.”

Elizabeth Tupper has been working in the arts industry for 20 years, and has a breadth of experience working in government and the cultural sector. Most recently she managed the government relations, Creativity and Ageing Initiative and inaugural Musica Viva Festival 2008 for Musica Viva Australia. Prior to this she spent five years at the Australia Council for the Arts working on significant cultural initiatives, such as The Orchestras Review 2005 and the Creative Communities Scoping Study (2006).

Elizabeth Tupper said of her appointment, “I’m honoured and excited to have been selected to lead Orchestra Victoria. I am thrilled to have this opportunity, and to work with Jo Beaumont and the musicians, the Board and the capable staff to build on the inspiring record of outstanding orchestral service to the people of Victoria”.