The History of TOPS 

Beginnings 

On Sunday 14th November, 1993, as part of the Sydney Opera House 20th Birthday celebrations, the first Celebration Concert was organized by the newly formed Public Schools Charity Concert Committee. Public Schools concerts in the Opera House had been a vital part of the musical experience of students in the schools system, and the Public Schools Concert Committee had been one of the major users of the Concert Hall, presenting up to 30 concerts a year involving primary and secondary choristers and instrumentalists. The first Celebration Concert invited participation from singers and instrumentalists who had been part of those schools concerts, as well as students still attending school. An orchestra of 150 players and a choir of almost 1,000 singers performed choral/orchestral repertoire selected from those years of Opera House concerts – Zadok the Priest (Handel), I Was Glad (Parry), Carmina Burana excerpts (Orff), the final movement of Symphony No. 2 – The Resurrection (Mahler) and Dona Nobis Pacem from Mass in B minor (Bach). 

Fund Raising 

Another reason for the concert in 1993 was to raise funds for charities particularly focusing on the needs of children, and the first concert was successful in raising $15,000 for Stewart House. In the succeeding eleven Celebration Concerts which have been held since then, over $150,000 has been raised for Stewart house, the Children’s Hospital, country hospital paediatric units and children’s medical research. As costs at the Opera House became prohibitive, this annual concert moved to Sydney Town Hall in 2001, where it has been held since. In 2007 the 15th Annual Celebration Concert will take place on Sunday 28th October. 

Growth 

So successful was the reunion of players at the original Celebration Concert in 1993 that it was resolved that orchestral players should get together on a more regular basis to perform great and challenging music. Many had met through the state music camping program, toured together in a variety of ensembles, as well as played together in memorable concerts as school students, and there was a strong desire to continue many firm friendships through music. 
There was also a place in community music making for an orchestra which would cross over existing and often artificial barriers, and provide the opportunity for advanced school students, those studying in tertiary institutions (not necessarily as musicians), teachers, professional musicians and members of existing community music organizations to play together. So the concept of TOPS was developed – an orchestra which could attempt very challenging repertoire, but whose programs would be prepared on minimal rehearsal. Most TOPS players are involved in other musical organizations, have heavy teaching loads or careers outside of music. The TOPS model of concert preparation involves rehearsal on Sunday (usually two rehearsals), with a final rehearsal on the day of the concert (also a Sunday). Some programs may only have one rehearsal before the concert day, and occasionally a work may require more time (such as a Mahler symphony). However, rehearsals are designed to fit into the schedules of busy and committed people. 

Musical Director 

Mal Hewitt has a background in music education, and 40 years experience working with youth and community orchestras. He believes that each program must be a learning experience for players and audience, and that the whole process of performance preparation must be a journey of discovery travelled together with joy, without tension and anxiety. 
Conductors and Composers 
TOPS is a training ground for young conductors. Several players in the orchestra are also experienced and talented conductors, who share the conducting roles throughout the year. TOPS is also committed to the performance of the music of Australian composers, particularly young composers. Recent programs have included the music of two orchestra members who are also composers, Graham Howard and Michiel Irik, as well as the music of such established figures as Peter Sculthorpe and Graeme Koehne.