Strathfield Symphony Orchestra

🎶 SSO Unplugged: Symphonies, Secrets & Shenanigans! 🎶
Episode 9 — Meet Hannah Mercer
This week we’re delighted to introduce Hannah Mercer, violinist and one of the newest members of the SSO, having joined in 2025 — already making her mark with energy and a love of all things dramatic.
By day, Hannah works in HR within the emergency services, bringing calm, support and resilience to a high‑pressure environment — and then swapping straight into orchestral life after hours.
Here’s a little more about Hannah:
🎻 Instrument: Violin
🕰️ Member of SSO: Since 2025
💼 Day Job: HR in the emergency services
🎶 Favourite Composer: Tchaikovsky
🎧 Favourite Orchestral Style: Anything dark and dramatic
🎵 Favourite Piece to Play: Intermezzo Sinfonica from Cavalleria Rusticana
🎸 Favourite Non‑Orchestral Music: 2000s emo & pop punk
🎻 If Not Violin: She’s oboe‑curious…
Hannah has always been drawn to the stage:
🎭 Background: Dance, drama and musicals — both on stage and in the pit — so performance is truly in her DNA.
From sweeping Tchaikovsky lines to emo throwbacks, Hannah brings passion, theatricality and a love of storytelling to the SSO — and we’re so glad she’s part of the orchestra.
📸 Photo credit: Little Raven Photography

Support our friends, Symphonia Jubilate! SJ provide opportunities for NSW public school students to participate in amazing ensembles and growing their skills as up and coming musicians.

Strathfield Symphony is a huge supporter of the opportunities that Symphonia Jubliate provide for our next generation of players and would encourage you to become a supporter as well. Our founding conductor, Richard Gill was a lifelong advocate of the power and importance of music education for every student. Let's make sure we continue to follow in his footsteps.

Buy a ticket to their Fundraising concert on Friday My 22nd and hear their fabulous students in person.
https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1568400
If you can't go along to the concert, you can make a donation directly:
FOSJ Gift Fund Account (Friends of Symphonia Jubilate Inc Gift fund)
Account number: 184 529 717
BSB: 633 000

🎶 SSO Unplugged: Symphonies, Secrets & Shenanigans! 🎶
Episode 8 — Meet Chris Elenor
This week we’re delighted to shine the spotlight on Chris Elenor, violist and a long‑standing member of the SSO, having been part of the orchestra since 2000 — more than two decades of music, commitment and community.
Now retired from paid work, Chris brings a deep love of music and performance to everything he does, with a particular passion for the clarity and beauty of the Classical era.
Here’s a little more about Chris:
🎼 Instrument: Viola
🕰️ Member of SSO: Since 2000
💼 Day Job: Retired
🎶 Favourite Composer: Bach
🎧 Favourite Orchestral Genre: Classical
🎵 Favourite Piece: Bach Double Violin Concerto
🎻 If Not Viola: He’d love to play the flugelhorn
🎶 Other Musical Loves: Irish music
Chris’s talents extend well beyond the viola section.
🎭 Special talents: Choir singing and amateur dramatics — equally at home on stage, whether playing, singing or acting.
And an extraordinary fact many may not know:
🏅 Chris was awarded an Order of Timor‑Leste in recognition of his contribution to the National Liberation Struggle — a remarkable honour reflecting a life of service and commitment beyond the orchestra.
From Bach to folk music, from orchestral playing to the stage, Chris brings depth, experience and generosity to the SSO — and we’re proud to celebrate him as part of SSO Unplugged.
📸 Photo credit: Wozpix