New Name, New Horizons
A new, yet familiar, identity and a fresh chapter ahead.
After more than three decades as the Fremantle Symphony Orchestra, we have returned to a name many of our long-time musicians and audience members will remember well: Nedlands Symphony Orchestra.
Our story began in 1961 as the Melville Orchestral Society, with the orchestra first becoming Nedlands Symphony Orchestra in 1981 before a valued partnership with the City of Fremantle saw us take the Fremantle name in 1993. More than 65 years on, we are still what we have always been at heart: a group of passionate volunteer musicians making music for our community.
Our new name honours that history, while also looking firmly ahead – to new musical leadership, new connections and new possibilities.
Welcoming Burhan Güner
We are thrilled to announce Burhan Güner as Musical Director of Nedlands Symphony Orchestra.
Perth-born Burhan is a conductor, writer and presenter whose career has taken him across Australia, the UK and Europe. A graduate of UWA and the University of Melbourne, his conducting work has encompassed orchestral, operatic and choral music, including engagements with West Australian Opera, WAAPA and Opera Holland Park in London.
Burhan is already a familiar face to the orchestra and our audiences, having joined us as a guest conductor before taking the helm for our upcoming Gilded Dreams concert. We’re delighted to have him leading NSO into its next chapter.
Thank you, David
The appointment also marks a change of role for David Pye, who steps down after 26 years as Musical Director.
David first conducted the orchestra in 1997 and was appointed Musical Director the following year, returning to the position in 2003 after a two-year break. Across the years, his musicianship, adventurous programming and enthusiasm have helped shape the orchestra we are today.
Very fortunately for us, David is also an accomplished composer and has written numerous works for the orchestra over this time - memorable pieces that have become special moments in our concert history for musicians and audiences alike.
Thankfully, this is not goodbye. David remains very much part of the NSO family and will return to the podium as a guest conductor. He also has something rather special up his sleeve coming in our 2027 season… but more on that later.
Looking ahead
