Caltex and the Australian Chamber Orchestra

Caltex recognises excellence in the performing arts through its sponsorship of the internationally acclaimed Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO). In particular, Caltex sponsors an ACO national tour each year. Caltex has sponsored a national tour for 11 years.

It may seem like an unusual partnership — an oil company and an orchestra. But Caltex and the Australian Chamber Orchestra have more in common than you might immediately think.

Both organisations are committed to operational excellence and growth, both are adapting to changing times and both have been performing off a solid financial base. The ACO's aspirations and values dovetail closely with those of Caltex — great performance from people you like and the emphasis on people, partnership and performance.

About the Australian Chamber Orchestra

The ACO was founded in 1975 and has built an international reputation for its artistic excellence and adventurous programming. The dynamic ensemble has been led by the outstanding Australian violinist, Richard Tognetti, who has been the Artistic Director for 18 years.

The ACO is unmatched in its extensive repertoire. The musicians perform on modern and period instruments, as a small chamber group, as a small symphony orchestra and as an electro-acoustic ensemble. An unusual feature of the orchestra is that the musicians are directed by the lead violinist, rather than a conductor. The upper strings play standing, which creates an exciting visual effect, allowing the audience to watch the players communicate with each other as they move with the music.

The ACO’s national concert season - over 80 performances every year in Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney and Wollongong, as well as regular regional tours - gives it the largest subscription base for a chamber orchestra in the world. Regular international tours to Asia, Europe and the USA have drawn outstanding reviews for its performances at many of the world’s prestigious concert halls including London’s Wigmore Hall, New York’s Carnegie Hall and Vienna’s Musikverein.

2008 tour - The Red Tree

Caltex sponsors an ACO nationwide tour each year. This year's tour is called The Red Tree. Music, from the ACO and Lyn Williams and the remarkable young singers of Gondwana Voices, and imagery tell the thought-provoking tale of The Red Tree, inspired by the popular book of award-winning Australian author and artist Shaun Tan.

The tour takes place in July and visits Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

For further information about the ACO please click here.