An engineer by trade, violist George Deutsch proudly introduces himself as the “worst student ever at the Melbourne Conservatorium”. He’s referring to an elective year at the school when he studied violin. However, the gift of a viola meant a slight change of course for a man who’d grown up playing in youth orchestras. He’s now a more-than-capable musician and, despite his upfront humility, he feels a deep-seated passion and sense of pride for the volunteer-run community orchestra that he performs in, the Zelman Memorial Symphony Orchestra, based in Melbourne.
Originally formed by amateur musicians after the establishment of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Zelman Symphony celebrates its 90th anniversary this year and has quite a concert planned for the occasion.
Zelman Memorial Symphony Orchestra. Photo supplied
Deutsch has been a member of the orchestra for 15 years and became a part of its committee soon after he joined. He was integrally involved in organising its last major milestone, its 80th anniversary concert featuring Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 – though only after a little resistance.
“In the lead-up to our 80th, [former] Artistic Director Mark Shiell said, ‘What...
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