It is 50 years since the then Council of Education selected Harrietville, a tiny hamlet at the foothills of the Victorian Alps, as the site for a Music Camp. They chose well, given the Camp has stayed in Harrietville ever since, though now under the auspices of Whitehorse Orchestra.
So January 2026 celebrated 50 years of music making in picturesque Harrietville. All who attended said the camp was a resounding success, featuring a concert for tutorial groups on the first Monday night, then the traditional Big Band night on Friday, concluding with the gala concert on Saturday afternoon in Bright.
One of the highlights of the final concert was ‘The Harrietville Suite’, composed by upcoming young Australian composer, Willow Woodman.
Gerald Keuneman OAM, Director of Music, praised the work as having captured the essence of both the Camp and the magnificent surrounding countryside.
Gerald Keuneman OAM and Douglas Heywood OAM celebrating 50th year of Harrietville Music Camp
Whitehorse Orchestra Inc. 