Melbourne’s community classical music radio station 3MBS FM is proof volunteers achieve astonishing things.
Next month’s Bach Marathon is a huge logistical operation that will see six concerts in one day at the Melbourne Recital Centre.
Now in its sixth year, the marathon is one way the station manages to raise $1 million or more each year to fund its operations. Other funds come from subscriptions and philanthropic donors.
On February 18 the marathon program presents a selection of J.S. Bach’s incredible output of masterworks, some works by his sons and arrangements by other prominent composers who drew on his work for inspiration.
In the first concert, one piece, C.P.E. Bach’s St Matthew Passion (1777), will feature 90 musicians performing it for the first time in 240 years.
Other highlights in a day that showcases some outstanding classical music talent are a performance by the Australian Boys Choir of J.S. Bach’s Jesu meine Freude and an appearance by Stephen McIntyre, alongside Caroline Almonte, Kristian Chong, Stefan Cassomenos, Lachlan Tan and Peter de Jager, in the Goldberg Variations.
The former head of piano at the Victorian College of the Arts, McIntyre is known nationally and internationally as one of Australia’s most eminent pianists and teachers.
More than 120 volunteers have been involved in staging this major event.
They are co-ordinated by Sally Hutchison, a 3MBS volunteer for 10 years.
With a professional background in administration, including as chief of staff for a government minister, Sally is well skilled in organising.
“There are all sorts of tasks – scripting segments, researching and writing information about composers, compering, backstage people, co-ordinating the artists, driving, ushering, selling programs, mingling with patrons, catering...
“The artists on the day are amazing contributors; we’re indebted to our local musicians – they really enjoy it and love to meet up with one another.”
The station, which first went to air on July 1, 1975, has been around longer than ABC FM. Over the years it has built up a loyal audience in Melbourne, and now, thanks to technology, across the globe.
“We have a subscriber base of around 3000 people, and many rusted-on listeners,” Sally said. “We’re a community radio station but we operate more like a media organisation. Technology gets us out there in many ways, through broadcasting, our website and social media.
“Just about everything is done by volunteers – recording, presenting, technical work, reception, monthly mailouts and administration.
“Most of the volunteers are over 50 but we have younger ones too. There are ex-magistrates, teachers, people with performance backgrounds, specialist technical skills – and most stay for a long time.”
- Tickets for the Bach Marathon start at $35 ($20 concession) for a single concert. A standard all-day pass is $150 ($100 concession). Bookings on (03) 9699-3333, at the Melbourne Recital Centre in Southbank, or www.melbournerecital.com
More about the marathon program and 3MBS, www.3mbs.org.au
Anyone interested in volunteering can visit the website or phone (03) 9416-1035.
