Western Australian Charity Orchestra
Western Australian Charity Orchestra (WACO) is a symphony orchestra and chorus based in Perth, Western Australia. The ensemble is made up entirely of volunteers and puts on concerts to help fundraise for local charities.
Background
Founded by eighteen-year-old Samuel Parry, WACO was put together in an effort to do something good for the community. As a music student, Sam noticed that over the summer holidays, not only were his fellow students bored during the holidays, but he noticed that everyone struggled to find motivation to practice their instruments and use their talents. When he graduated high school and commenced study at WAAPA in 2007, he decided to put his ideas into action and WACO was born. From 2007 - 2015 the organisation produced 3 concerts, and raised over A$90,000 for Australian charities.
The WACO season runs from December until early February, over the state school holidays. The musicians rehearse several times a week to prepare for the variety concerts. No volunteer within the organisation receives any payment for their contribution.
The orchestra's home and where performances are held, is in the newly built and fully equipped Concert Hall at Churchlands Senior High School. They have performed in the Perth Concert Hall and Quarry Amphitheatre in earlier years. WACO has performed with Australian artists Deborah Rogers, Sonja D'Anne and Fiona Coad, under the direction of conductors Burhan Güner, Donna Taylor and Samuel Parry.