Orchestra Victoria Finds Success Is Free

Melbourne’s Orchestra Victoria performs in the State Theatre. But its real griowth has been for free concerts outside the theatre. “This year, it expects to increase its audiences at free concerts in regional centres by 10,000, to more than 70,000, a jump of more than 16 per cent. Orchestra Victoria is expanding its pioneering scheme of free concerts supported by charities and philanthropic bodies in regional centres and suburban Melbourne. Now into its fourth year, the community program raised $1.4 million last year from Melbourne-based organisations.