It’s violinist Sophie Rowell‘s second year at the helm of the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra and she’s “loving every minute” of her Artistic Directorship.

“[Curation] is definitely something that excites and intrigues me,” she tells Limelight. “I’m also learning more and more where MCO fits into society today, and looking at ways that we can even further embed this fabulous organisation within the cultural fabric that we live in.”

“Curating to advance all of these things – including my personal love of music – is something that’s really fascinating, and gives me a lot of inspiration as a musician and as a curator.”

Sophie Rowell

Sophie Rowell. Photo © Laura Manariti

Rowell’s program for MCO’s Blazing Trails, presented on 30 May and 2 June at Melbourne Recital Centre, is one that celebrates musical advocacy while spotlighting pioneering composers and underrepresented voices. The idea was sparked via a chat between Rowell and percussionist Claire Edwardes, a soloist in the program.

“She mentioned Natalie Williams’ work, which she had premiered a few months before, and suddenly, this program sprang to life around that idea of people who’ve advocated for music and others’ music, and using...