Squawkestra’s 20th Anniversary Concert and CD Launch at the Melbourne Town Hall on Sunday 14th June was an extraordinary success, bringing together performers, supporters and music lovers from across Melbourne for an unforgettable afternoon of music, connection and celebration.
The event attracted an audience of nearly 700 people, with demand for tickets proving so strong that ticket allocations had to be extended twice in the lead-up to the concert. The overwhelming response reflected the affection and support that the community has for an orchestra that has spent two decades bringing people together through music.
Taking to the stage of the iconic Melbourne Town Hall, Squawkestra’s 65-piece intergenerational ensemble delivered a vibrant and diverse program that showcased the orchestra’s unique spirit. Musicians ranging from their 20s to their 80s performed side-by-side, demonstrating the inclusive philosophy that has been at the heart of Squawkestra since its beginning.
Audience members were treated to a rich mix of classical favourites, contemporary works and original arrangements, alongside memorable performances from guest tenor soloist Zed Diffae and featured violin soloist, Husan Balance. The concert also marked the official launch of Squawkestra’s commemorative anniversary CD, a lasting record of this important milestone in the orchestra’s history. For added fun, Squawkestra tea towels were also available for purchase.
More than just a concert, the afternoon celebrated twenty years of community, creativity and collaboration. It highlighted the power of music to connect people across generations, cultures and experience levels, creating something far greater than the sum of its parts.
To everyone who attended, performed, volunteered, donated and supported the event, thank you. Your enthusiasm helped make this anniversary celebration one of the most significant and successful moments in Squawkestra’s history, and a fitting tribute to twenty years of fearless community music-making.
A special thank you to the City of Melbourne for their generous support in making this concert possible and Anne and Daryl Whinney for their generous support in making the CD possible.
As Squawkestra prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary, there is no better person to reflect on the journey than Peter Blackwood, our longest-serving member, who has been playing violin with the orchestra for 19 years.
When Peter first joined, Squawkestra looked very different.
“It was very small back then,” he recalls. “We didn’t have saxophones, there was one flute, one clarinet and a couple of violas. Our very first concert was in the Darebin Library on a Saturday afternoon.”
The orchestra was inspired by the Edinburgh Really Terrible Orchestra, and in those early days the sound lived up to the name.
“It was definitely more squawky back then,” Peter laughs.
Peter’s own musical journey began unexpectedly. When his son, a talented violinist, moved overseas, Peter inherited his music books and decided to teach himself to play.
“I’ve never had a lesson,” he says. “I was recovering from knee surgery when I heard Ed Le Brocq, formerly known as Emma Ayres, talking about Squawkestra on ABC Classic. I thought I’d give it a go.”
One of Peter’s earliest memories is spotting the much-loved musician and broadcaster arriving to teach a strings Masterclass in unforgettable style.
“After that first library concert we all went to the pub. Emma arrived on her bike with a cello strapped to it.”
Over nearly two decades, Peter has seen Squawkestra move from a school hall in Northcote to the Uniting Church on High Street before finding its home on Bent Street. But while venues and membership numbers have changed, the orchestra’s culture remains its greatest strength.
“It doesn’t happen in every music group you join,” he says. “People learn from one another and look out for one another. Someone will quietly help you find your place if you’re lost or let you know of changes in the music. It’s not competitive, it’s collaborative.”
Peter believes that spirit continues under Musical Director and Conductor, Carl Polke.
“Carl always encourages us to play the best we can, and he’s very gentle in the way he does it. He doesn’t expect us to live down to our name.”
One of Peter’s favourite memories came when Squawkestra appeared on the TV show Spicks and Specks.
“We were chatting with other guests and were asked about what other gigs we’d done. At that point, we could proudly say, ‘We’ve played the Darebin Library!’ It was such a fun day.”
Today, Peter continues to play violin, sing, paint and teach painting. While age and health challenges have changed what he can do physically, Squawkestra remains an important part of his life.
For Peter, the orchestra’s 20th anniversary represents something much bigger than a milestone birthday.
“It means there’s a place in Melbourne where adults of all abilities and experience can come together and play in an ensemble,” he says. “For many people, the last time they did that was at school.”
Two decades on, Squawkestra remains a rare and special part of Melbourne’s musical landscape: an orchestra where complete beginners, returning players and experienced musicians sit side by side, learning, laughing and making music together. In a world that often values perfection, Squawkestra celebrates participation, connection and the joy of playing as an ensemble. For Peter, as for so many other members over the past 20 years, that’s what keeps people coming back.
You can see Peter and all of Squawkestra play at the Melbourne Town Hall on June 17 at 2.30pm. Tickets can be purchased here – https://www.trybooking.com/DLIUM
Join us at the iconic Melbourne Town Hall as we celebrate 20 years of community music with a landmark concert and debut CD launch!
Experience an energetic and uplifting program as Carl Polke conducts a selection of Squawky favourites, showcasing two decades of artistic collaboration, inclusion, community spirit, all highlighted with plenty of our signature Squawkestry!
We’ll have special guest tenor Zed Diffaee, and featured soloist Huso Balance from our violin section, to help raise the roof!
– Duration: Approximately 2 hours, including interval.
– Your ticket includes a complimentary drink on arrival, and you’ll have the opportunity to join our post-concert celebration; a great chance to meet the performers and continue the festivities.
– Our debut CD and exclusive keepsakes will be available on the day.
Don’t miss this special one-off event!
Tickets are limited, so book now to be part of this unforgettable celebration!
Tickets available via trybooking.
We thank City of Melbourne for their generous support in making this concert possible.
In amongst a busy start to the year, Squawkestra also found the time to prepare for a weekend at Empire Music Studios to lay down some tracks for our debut CD!
We worked hard and had fun under the baton of our conductor Carl Polke, with guest vocals from Zed Difaee, and stellar production support by Trevor and the team at Empire, along with some very much appreciated music production support from within our ranks from Adele!
All this would not have been possible without the generous support of Daryl and Anne Whinney – thank you for the opportunity to have fun making music, and as a bonus, add ‘recording artist’ to our bag of tricks!
The CD will be available for purchase at our 20th Anniversary Concert & CD Launch at the Melbourne Town Hall on Sunday 14th June at 2:30. Secure your tickets at Trybooking now!
Last weekend, we were delighted to be invited to perform at Talbot Place Aged Care Facility in Ballarat.
As the residents are unable to go to the orchestra, we brought the orchestra to them; it was very special to share a live, orchestral music experience with them, playing a selection of our favourite pieces.
Our next concert is at 2:30 pm on Sunday 9th November 2025 at Preston City Hall, Preston.
Squawkestra gratefully acknowledges the support of the City of Darebin
Squawkestra is proud to present the the culmination of our inaugural Squawkestra Composer Project – the premiere performance of The Earth Suite, a musical story in eight movements about our planet from its birth to what its future might be.
Composed by Jukka Mäntynen, it will be performed by The Squawkestra Earth Suite Chamber Orchestra at 2:30 pm on Sunday 28th September 2025 at Preston City Hall, Preston.
Our mid year concert is at 2:30 pm on Sunday 25th May 2025 at Preston City Hall, Preston.
Squawkestra gratefully acknowledges the support of the City of Darebin
Last Sunday, we packed up our instruments and bussed to Geelong to have a glorious afternoon with our friends and hosts Awkwardstra Geelong.
What started from a small “wouldn’t it be fun to play together?” musing, was realised into a wonderful collaboration featuring a huge combined orchestra of over 80 musicians performing both for and with each other. It was an event of sharing food, learning and above all, the sheer joy of making music together.
Our end of year concert is at 2:30 pm on Sunday 15th December 2024 at Preston City Hall, Preston.
Squawkestra gratefully acknowledges the support of the City of Darebin
SQUAWKESTRA 