Monday, 3 November 2025
Government House, Sydney
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales

Bujari gamarruwa

Diyn Babana Gamarada Gadigal Ngura

I greet you in the language of the Gadigal, Traditional Owners of the land on which we gather, and I pay my respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging.

I’m delighted to again host the Sydney Lawyer’s Orchestra here at Government House for this evening’s musical performance and reception. Tom - welcome back to Government House with your wonderful musicians.

In his book Bach, Beethoven, and the Boys David W. Barber’s says:

“Music is full of people who might have become lawyers. It never seems to happen the other way around.”

The list of famous composers and musicians who gave up law for their musical careers is impressive. Among the composers Handel, Telemann, Schuman, Mozart (Leopold that is), Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky.

And then the musicians including Oscar Hammerstein, Paul Simon, Tenor Andrea Bocelli and our own Peter Garrett.

One might surmise that David Barber’s observation can be explained in terms of sheer financial survivability but the connections between the two skill sets might be obvious, summed up by Noah Holloway, a first-year associate in an American law firm in his article From Band to Barrister: Why Musicians make great lawyers^[1]   He identified five common skills. 

1.    Musicians and lawyers are self-disciplined and habit oriented.

2.    Musicians and lawyers are trained to respond positively to feedback. (For litigators that’s called the judgement)

3.    Musicians And lawyers must be detail oriented.

4.    Musicians and lawyers are team-oriented, and

5.    Musicians’ brains are literally built differently - although I note Holloway doesn’t say anything about lawyer’s brains.

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the concert performed by the Orchestra at the Conservatorium for the Supreme Court’s Bicentennial Concert this time last year, so I am particularly excited to hear the first piece tonight, An Incredibly Big Adventure 2024, which made its world premiere on that occasion^[2]. To make it even more thrilling, the composer, former Justice the Honourable George Palmer is here with us.

The orchestra, formed in 2014^[3] is beginning to make a name for itself by performing new or rarely heard pieces by Australian composers, including the second piece tonight, Henry Tate’s Morning and Noon from Bush Miniatures, music that had not been heard before the orchestra’s recent performances for 100 years. 

Then we have our guest artists this evening, Baritone Peter Coleman-Wright and Tenor, Michael Kaufmann singing the beautiful Pearl Fishers Duet by Georges Bizet, followed by three movements from Beethoven’s sixth symphony. 

We are in for a treat.

Please show your appreciation for the Sydney Lawyer’s Orchestra!