Professional musicians. Young musicians. Great symphonic music for everyone.
The Western Sydney Symphony Orchestra (WSSO) is a non-profit, independent symphony orchestra based in Western Sydney, Australia. Founded in 2019 by Artistic Director and Founding Conductor Dr Brian Chatpo Koo, the orchestra was established with a vision to enrich the musical and cultural life of Western Sydney while making high-quality symphonic music accessible to the wider community.
Bringing together professional musicians and talented young musicians, the WSSO presents free-admission concerts for music lovers of all ages, creating opportunities for the community to experience the excitement, beauty and power of a live symphony orchestra.
The orchestra brings together outstanding professional musicians from the Sydney Contemporary Orchestra, experienced local freelance musicians, and selected advanced young musicians. Under the artistic direction of Dr Koo, the WSSO presents an annual program featuring major works from the symphonic repertoire.
Based in Western Sydney and the Hills Shire region, the WSSO is committed to developing a vibrant orchestral culture within the local community—one that brings together audiences, professional musicians and the next generation of orchestral performers.
Music and Community
At the heart of the WSSO is a belief that great orchestral music should be accessible to everyone.
Through its free-admission concerts, the orchestra provides opportunities for families, young people, seniors and music lovers throughout the community to experience professional-quality live orchestral performances without the barrier of ticket costs.
Its repertoire embraces the great symphonic traditions of the Classical and Romantic eras, together with contemporary works and Australian compositions. Audiences can experience celebrated masterpieces while also discovering new music and new musical voices.
Through these performances, the WSSO aims to make the symphony orchestra an active and meaningful part of the cultural life of Western Sydney.
Supporting the Next Generation
An important part of the WSSO’s mission is the development of young musicians.
Through its connection with the Sydney Hills Youth Orchestra and its orchestral training programs, advanced young musicians are given opportunities to rehearse and perform alongside experienced professional musicians.
This provides an important bridge between youth orchestra training and professional orchestral performance. Young musicians gain first-hand experience of professional rehearsal standards, orchestral discipline, ensemble playing and large-scale symphonic repertoire.
This commitment reflects Dr Koo’s belief that orchestral education develops much more than instrumental technique. It encourages discipline, communication, teamwork, responsibility, musical understanding and confidence—qualities that can remain valuable throughout a young person’s life.
A Growing Musical Community
The Western Sydney Symphony Orchestra forms part of the broader musical activities of Sydney Contemporary Orchestra Inc., which provides its organisational and management structure and supports its artistic, educational and community objectives.
With the support of The Hills Shire Council, professional musicians, young musicians, volunteers, audiences and community partners, the WSSO continues to strengthen the presence of live orchestral music in Western Sydney.
Its vision is simple but ambitious:
To bring professional musicians and young musicians together, present outstanding symphonic music, make orchestral concerts accessible to everyone, and contribute to a richer cultural life in Western Sydney.
The Western Sydney Symphony Orchestra is a sub-organisation of the Sydney Contemporary Orchestra (SCO) and managed by the SCO Management Committee.
The Sydney Contemporary Orchestra is registered as a non-profit charity musical organisation by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. In order to achieve our objectives, we have established the SCO Foundation (as defined in Taxation Ruling TR95/27).
The Sydney Contemporary Orchestra Inc. (ABN 83 708 568 952) and the SCO Foundation it operates are listed on the Register of Cultural Organisations under Subdivision 30-BA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.
All Board members of the Management Committee and Managers are volunteers, enabling us to keep our funding towards employing the finest musicians and ensuring that our concerts are of the highest quality.
Since 2015, we have been proudly supported by the Google Ad Grants program. Over the past decade, this invaluable partnership has provided our organisation with critical search advertising resources, allowing us to connect with thousands of individuals globally, raise awareness for our mission, and drive meaningful action online.