Our History
Central Coast Philharmonia has a rich choral and orchestral history spanning more than six decades, shaped by community, artistic excellence, and a shared love of music on the Central Coast.
Our Beginnings
We are forever grateful for the vision, enthusiasm and talent of our founders, Hugh and Madeleine Baird, who arrived on the Central Coast from Scotland in 1958.
In 1962, they formed an orchestra of 20 players, and in 1963, a choir of 16 was added, so beginning the Gosford Orchestral and Choral Society. On Saturday 30th November 1963, the first major concert, Handel's Messiah, was performed in Gosford Anglican Church to an audience of 400.
The society was incorporated as Gosford Philharmonia in 1989 and, in February 2007, Central Coast Philharmonia.
Our Leadership & Legacy
Many have contributed to the Choir over the years — as choristers, soloists, instrumentalists, administrators, and, importantly, as audience members. Past Musical Directors Patrick Donnellan and Philip Rees each received an OAM, in part for their work with the Philharmonia.
Patrick Brennan, Artistic Director of the Central Coast Conservatorium, began as Musical Director in 2019. Under his leadership, the Philharmonia has earned a reputation for excellence in both contemporary choral works and the traditional repertoire, with recent performances attracting capacity audiences.
We are proud to collaborate regularly with the Central Coast Youth Orchestra, sponsor the Central Coast Children’s and Youth Choir, and support an annual Richard Newton Senior Vocalist Scholarship.
Our Repertoire
Throughout its history, the choir has presented numerous major works, including Messiah, Elijah, mass settings by Beethoven, Schubert, Haydn, and Mozart, and concert performances of opera such as Carmen, Faust, Orpheus, and Dido.
The Philharmonia has also performed Requiem settings by Mozart, Bruckner, Fauré, Duruflé, Peter Sculthorpe, and Dvořák, as well as Magnificat settings by Pergolesi, J.S. Bach, and C.P.E. Bach.
In recent years, the choir has proudly presented works by contemporary composers including Alexander L’Estrange, Karl Jenkins, Eric Whitacre, Christopher Tin, and Dan Forrest — some of which were Australian premieres.
Today, Central Coast Philharmonia continues to honour this legacy through ambitious programming, community collaboration, and a sustained commitment to musical excellence.
