HISTORICAL TIME-LINE of ACMS

Suggestions for additions or alterations to the time line are welcomed. 

1985
Nils Korner, President.
First Annual General Meeting at the Ensemble Theatre June 1985, 27 members present.
Membership Fee $10.
Circulation of a membership list twice a year.
Playing Days $17
Self-grading questionnaire introduced.
John Pinn suggested establishing a library.
Nils Korner commissioned the Society logo.
Membership grew to 112.

1986
John Pinn, President and administration.
First Wollongong Music Camp, 44 participants. Played at Gleniffer Brae, lived at Kooloobong. Impromptu playing only at Kooloobong.
Rod Tuson volunteered to produce the Newsletter.
Sunset Concerts at Kirribilli instigated at the suggestion of Sy Bluhm. $2 entry included wine and cheese. Concert on November 23 was followed by a Christmas party.
Membership Fee $15.00., Membership grew to 119

1987
Wollongong Music Camp: 54 attended, cost $120. Used University Arts Centre with extra pianos transported from Gleniffer Brae.
Sunset Concert programs coordinated by John Pinn.
AGM at Glover Cottage. Membership 119.
Constitution incorporating the society, prepared by Stephanie Hicks and John Pinn and adopted with the name Amateur Chamber Music Society.
Cedric Ashton elected Honorary Life Member
Victorian and SA societies founded

1988
Bicentennial Wollongong Weekend - 4 days for $144.00, 60 enrolled.
Catering for morning and afternoon teas started - Herta Imhof and Alexandra Tuson
Librarian role at Wollongong initiated - Walter Travers.
AGM at Glover Cottage. Membership 160
Sheila Caldwell took over coordination of the Sunset Concert programs.

1989
Irwin Imhof, President.
Wollongong, 80 attended
Incorporation registered under the Associations Incorporation Act.
AGM at Kirribilli, Membership 200. Miriam Hyde was guest speaker.

1990
Rod Tuson, President.
Wollongong Music Camp was a 7 day event with options to attend the first 3 days, the second 4 days or all 7 days! Surprisingly it did not overcomplicate the groups.
The Jones family designed special T-shirts for the event.
Regional coordinators nominated.
AGM combined with Playing Day. Membership 197

1991
Wollongong 92 attended
Membership 188
Sheila Caldwell handed over the Sunset concert coordination to Gary Nash.
Special Playing Day for inexperienced players.
First Membership Register printed in book form in November

1992
Wollongong, 112 at the dinner
Membership 218.
AGM held in conjunction with September Playing Day. Major editing of constitution.
Wolfgang Kloger took over the computer grouping for playing days.
T-shirts by Vivienne Jones (1990?)
Tried to encourage voice
Gary Nash introduced a Membership Card, with Music Retailer discount benefits.
Graham Cormack appointed as Tutti editor
Introduction of ACMS-sponsored half-hour chamber music programme on 2MBSFM, hosted by Julie Phillips-Moore

1993
Carolyn Thornely, President
First printed edition of "Tutti" in January 1993.
Wollongong 112 at the dinner
Membership 269.
John Pinn formalized his administration activities since 1986, in the new paid role of Administrator.
Rachel Valler appointed an Honorary Life Member

1994
Wollongong, 145 at the dinner
Membership drive - Gary Nash. Membership reached 336.
Library Index created - Gary Nash
Hugh Roberts took over Sunset Concert coordination.
Sunset concerts repeated at "Woodstock" Community Centre, Burwood - Christine Edwards
Ad Libitum Volume 1 - edited by Nils Korner

1995
Murray Brown President . Membership 315. Fees $20 membership, $20 playing days
Special promotional entrance membership $15
Library taken over by Eve Salinas
Started paying a librarian at Playing Days

1996
Membership 275
Vigorous attempt to attract more Professional interest and abandon the use of Amateur in our title
Judy Cormack took over as Administrator
Carolyn Thornely initiated the Mentor programme
Ad Libitum Volume 2 - edited by Nils Korner

1997
Simon Salter, President
Vigorous debate on commissioning a chamber music composition
Another foray into attracting singers of vocal chamber music
Playing Day at Newcastle
Wollongong Subcommittee formed about this time

1998
Website established - Fred Backer
Eva Griffith took up the Mentor Programme
Julian Dresser took over as Administrator in October.
Among Ourselves concerts initiated at "Woodstock" - David Mathers
Tried exposure to traditional folk music - Simon Salter
Ad Libitum Volume 3 - edited by Nils Korner

1999
Judy Mitchell , President. Membership 280
Blue Mountains Region and Subcommittee formed -Bill Johnson

2000
The ACMS Kirribilli Sunset Concerts were suspended for a year, due to lack of available performers. However Judith Maynard filled the void by independently organising 3 concerts in April, July and October.
In July committee discussed a resumption. Three ACMS Kirribilli concerts were organised for 2001 by Jenny Allison.
Ad Libitum Volume 4 - edited by Michael Macey.

2001
Sheila Caldwell, President
Cedric Ashton, Honorary Life Member, died. Memorial Fund purchased pocket scores for the Library
Sunset concerts resumed less frequently
Playing Day fees increased to $20
Library taken over by Cathy Wainwright and Jenny Williams
Attempt at initiating improvisation sessions - Fred Backer

2002
Founding member Nils Korner died.

October: Master Class, organised by Richard Wilgoss, was given by Ronald Thomas. Chosen work: Beethoven String Quartet op18 No.6.  5 string quartets participated. Guidance notes were prepared by Richard.

2003
Membership 280
Nils Korner Memorial Award instigated for Wollongong by Anne Korner
Introduction of "defined repertoire" playing days - Richard Willgoss

October 12, 2003: Master Class, organised by Richard Willgoss, tutored by Suzanne Borrett and Chris Bearman. Chosen work: Mozart String Quartet K590, his last quartet. 7 string quartets participated.

2004
Elizabeth Dalton, President. 20th AGM. Membership Fee still $20
Website taken over by George Carrard
Irwin Imhof and Judy Mitchell accorded Honorary Life Membership in recognition of their roles as two of the three founders.

2005

2006
Membership at June 2006: 289
John Pinn accorded Honorary Life Membership in recognition of his role in putting the society on a firm foundation in the early years.

2007
Sue Butler President
Membership at June 2007: 279

2008
Membership at June 2008: 290
Last Ravenswood Playing Day March. Ravenswood ceases to accept outside groups.
Found Wesley Institute at Drummoyne to be welcoming.
Wesley Institute used for playing days in May, July and September.
Grainger String Quartet workshop at Wesley Institute, Sunday Oct 12. Five string quartets and two piano trios. Four hours.
Wollongong Music Camp: 140 attended

2009
January: Wollongong Music Camp - 143 attended
New website introduced on 14-March-2009.

Master Class for strings and piano held at Wesley Institute.

2010

January: Wollongong Music Camp - 129 attended. Introduction of a marquee in the grounds of Kooloobong for all evening meals was widely applauded. This was the 25th music camp at Wollongong!

Playing Days: March playing day venue change to MLC Burwood. PLC Pymble retained as well. Wesley Institute is unable to host outside organisations in future.

August 1:  Wind Master Class, organised by Richard Tardif, was held at MLC Burwood. Attended by about 20 players and 11 observers.

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Published on: 2008-09-29 (1413 reads)