Work Experience Diary: Melbourne Chamber Orchestra (MCO)
- AISB News
- Aug 1
- 6 min read
Bailey's Journal July 7 – July 18, 2025
Monday 7 July – First Day at MCO Office
I arrived at the MCO office at 10:00am, located at Fawkner Towers on St Kilda Road. I spent the day working with Adele Schonhardt, the Executive Director.
My main task was helping Ms. Adele with preparation work for the upcoming concert on Thursday. It gave me a great introduction to how much behind-the-scenes coordination goes into each performance. I finished up around 4 pm, feeling excited to see what the rest of the week would bring.
Tuesday 8 July – Rehearsal with Olivia & Meeting George
I started the day at 10:00am at the Church of All Nations in Carlton for a full rehearsal day with Olivia Walker, the Artistic Operations Manager.
This was my first opportunity to really see how rehearsals are run in a professional orchestra setting. It was fascinating to watch the musicians at work and see Olivia coordinating everything behind the scenes.
Today, I also met the other work experience student –Truong (George) Phan, a Year 10 student from
Melbourne. It was nice to have someone my age to share the experience with, and George was helpful in showing me how things operate at MCO, since he had already started the placement.
Although the rehearsal officially finished at 5:00pm, I had the option to leave earlier and wrapped up my day around 4:00pm.
Wednesday 9 July – Beautiful Rehearsal at Opera Australia
I started today at 1:30pm at the Opera Australia Studio in Southbank for another rehearsal session with Olivia. It was a late finish, but well worth it. The rehearsal was beautiful — so many incredibly talented musicians playing a range of instruments, including a huge grand piano that filled the space with powerful sound.
Everyone I met was so friendly and welcoming, which made the experience even more enjoyable. Being surrounded by such artistry in the heart of Melbourne — Australia's capital of musicals, concerts, and symphonies — made me feel deeply honored. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s official concert and feel proud to be part of such a significant musical event.
Thursday 10 July – Concert Day at Melbourne Recital Centre
A big day! I started at the MCO office with Catherine Turner, the Business Operations Manager, helping her prepare for tonight’s concert. Later, we moved to the Melbourne Recital Centre, where I assisted at the MCO desk in the foyer, taking on front-of-house duties. The highlight was attending the "Pastorale" concert (7:30 – 9:30pm) at the Melbourne Recital Centre, where a forgotten concerto made its Australian debut. It was magical to see the music I had watched being rehearsed now performed live on stage.
Before the concert, my family met with Mr. Greg and Mr. Sam who hosted a lovely dinner at Maiz y Cacao, a Mexican restaurant nearby. It was special because my parents Jane and Mark, sister Madison, Mr. Greg, Mr. Sam, Praew, and Jade - AISB staff – are all there to support me.
The program began with Adagio for Strings composed by Samuel Barber, a celebrated American composer of his time (1910-1981).
Next, was a Concerto for Piano and Strings i. Allegro assai ii. Lento iii. Moderato e deciso ma con moto by English composer Doreen Carwithen (1922-2003).
After the interval the program continued with the Pastorale (from String Quartet No. 4) composed by Australian composer, Peter Sculthorpe (1929-2014).
To end the concert, it was a Serenade for Strings in C major Op 48 i. Pezzo in forma di sonatina. Andante non troppo – Allegro moderato ii. Valse. Moderato. Tempo di Vaise. iii. Elegia. Larghetto elegiaco. iv. Finale (Tema russo). Andante – Allegro con spirito by the world-famous Russian composer Pyotr II’yich Tchaikovsky.
After the concert in the foyer of the Melbourne Recital Centre I had the honor to toast the musicians for an unforgettable night.
Cherished photos with talented musicians including Ms Sophine Rowell, MCO Artisctic Director
Friday 11 July – Day Off
A well-earned break after a big week. No scheduled activities today – time to relax down the seaside in Torquay, Victoria, a coastal town known as the surfing and beach capital of Victoria. Today was too cold for surfing, the temperature was as low as 9°C today. Torquay is famous for Bells Beach, a world-renowned surfing destination and home to famous surf brands like Rip Curl and Quicksilver. Today, I am walking along the beach and reflecting on the first few days of my work experience.
Monday 14 July – Office Day with Ms. Adele
Back at the MCO office for another full day with Ms. Adele. I felt more confident this week andstarted to better understand the workflow and how various departments contribute to the orchestra’s success. Ms. Adele shared more about MCO’s strategic goals, funding, and community engagement, which really broadened my perspective.
Tuesday 15 July – Collaboration with Olivia and Catherine
Today I worked alongside both Olivia and Catherine at the office. I assisted with both artistic planning and business operations. The day was dynamic and full of learning, especially seeing how the artistic and administrative sides must collaborate closely to bring concerts to life.
Wednesday 16 July – Development with Suzanne
A day with Suzanne Gibson, MCO’s Development Manager. I learned about fundraising, donor engagement, and how MCO builds lasting relationships with supporters. It was fascinating to see how much work goes into ensuring the orchestra remains sustainable and connected with the community.
Thursday 17 July – Final Day with the Team
My final day at MCO was something I’ll never forget. I spent the day with the entire admin team, Ms. Adele, Ms. Sophie, Olivia, Suzanne, and Catherine helping with various tasks across departments and reflecting on everything I had learned.
As a small gesture of appreciation for all the kindness they had shown me, I prepared a Japanese lunch for the team. It was my way of saying thank you for welcoming me so warmly and for introducing me to some of Australia’s finest musical talents. We sat together, shared stories, reflected on the past two weeks, and even talked about possible opportunities for next time I visit Melbourne.
The team was incredibly welcoming throughout my placement, and by the end, I truly felt like I had been part of something special. This experience has deepened my appreciation for the arts – not just the magic that happens on stage, but the dedication, creativity, and teamwork that happens behind the scenes to make it all possible. I say goodbye with many memories and a special birthday card and gift from the team that I will cherish dearly.
Friday 18 July – Day Off
The final day of my work experience is a rest day, and it is also my birthday— and a chance to reflect on what has been a packed and inspiring two weeks. I am so lucky to celebrate my 14th birthday in the iconic Luna Park with family and friends.
I want to say a special thank you to two people who made this opportunity possible. Without them, I would never have met so many inspirational and gifted people in my life. Firstly, Mr. Greg Cairnduff, education consultant and host of the School Life podcast, who many of us know from his time as Director of the Australian International School Bangkok and Mr. Sam Cairnduff, PhD, Lecturer of Arts & Cultural Management and Media & Communications at The University of Melbourne.
Their support, guidance, and belief in me opened the door to this unforgettable experience with the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra. I’m sincerely grateful to you both!
Looking Ahead – My Next Steps
As I finish this unforgettable journey with the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, I’ve been thinking a lot about what comes next. This experience has opened my eyes to a world of music, creativity, and teamwork — and I don’t want that to end here. In the short term, I plan to continue doing what I love: singing and acting in school plays at AISB and participating in any external productions I can find in Bangkok. I’ll also try to keep learning and practicing piano and drums, developing my skills and exploring my passion for music.
More recently, I’ve started to imagine a future in arts and event management — the kind of work I saw in action during my time at MCO. Managing large-scale concerts and cultural events in major cities around the world is something I now see as an exciting and meaningful path. I believe this industry will increasingly need passionate, organized, and creative leaders to bring people together through music and performance.
That’s why I plan to explore university courses in arts, event, and cultural management, and learn how those degrees can help me reach my goals. I want to be someone who helps make these incredible events happen — not just for the audiences, but also for the artists and teams behind the scenes.
This experience was just the beginning — and I can’t wait to see where it leads.
Bailey Wolczko
Year 8 student