Current Concertmaster

The Macquarie Towns Symphony Orchestra is extremely fortunate to have the exceptionally talented Rotraud Schneider as our concertmaster.

Rotraud's musical journey began at the Academy of Music in Munich, Germany, where she studied under the esteemed Prof. G. Hetzel. She completed her studies with both the Teachers and Performers Diploma before advancing her education with Prof. Wolfgang Schneiderhan at the Conservatorium of Music in Lucerne, Switzerland, earning her Soloist Diploma.

Her career has been marked by numerous achievements and performances. Rotraud embarked on three extensive concert tours in Australia and also showcased her talent in Germany and Yugoslavia. In 1977, she made a triumphant concert debut in London. Her recordings have been featured on the BBC in London, Bavarian Radio in Germany, and Zagreb Radio in Yugoslavia. In Australia, she has made numerous recordings for the ABC and 2MBS FM, in addition to producing several CDs for Jade, NEA Music Label, and the Anthology of Australian Music on Disc at the Canberra School of Music.

After migrating from Germany to Australia in 1981, Rotraud began lecturing at the Wollongong Conservatorium University from 1982 to 1991. Since 1991, she has been imparting her knowledge at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre. A resident of the Blue Mountains since 1988, she was the leader of the Orpheus Strings Blue Mountains for many years and also led her own string quartet, regularly performing concerts in the region.

With her rich background and extensive experience, Rotraud Schneider brings unparalleled expertise and passion to the Macquarie Towns Symphony Orchestra, enriching both our performances and the musical experiences of our audiences.