The Australian Philharmonic Orchestra has done what close to no other orchestra in the world has done - entertain, enthrall and enlighten audiences with their musical enchantment and extraordinary talent for 30 years. 3008 Docklands celebrates and congratulates the APO on this milestone achievement as celebrations will unfold through a harmonious musical journey concert series this December to mark the past 30 years of sensational music making.

It is our privilege to again present the remarkable talent, of just one of the many stars that will shine in this year's Philharmonic Phireworks at Melbourne's Art's Centre. The brilliant and ever popular Melinda Schneider, along with the magnificent 72 piece Australian Philharmonic Orchestra is accompanied by opera-sensation Lucy Maunder, Phantom of the Opera lead Donald Cant, tenor extraordinaire James Egglestone and home town favourite, legendary Denis Walter, under the baton of
award-winning international conductor Gavin Sutherland.

The stars are truly aligned for an evening to kick off a New Year filled with Philharmonic Phireworks showcasing the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, West Side Story, Secret Garden, Bernstein, ABBA, Best of British, Puccini, Neil Diamond, Vienna with Love and a touch of Jazz.

It was a pleasure to speak with Melinda Schneider about her first Philharmonic Concert adventure.

Is this the first APO New Years Concert series that you have performed in?
Yes, it is, I have never worked with this wonderful orchestra before but I am really looking forward to it. We have 6 shows all up, 3 in Melbourne and 3 in Sydney. I have heard so many wonderful things about the concerts, so I think it is going to be just amazing.

How did you become involved in the New Years Concerts with the APO, considering your recent national Doris Day Tribute shows, 'Doris - So Much More Than the Girl Next Door' as well as your latest album, 'Life Begins at 40' you have been extremely busy, why did you want to be part of this Philharmonic Phireworks concert series?
They invited me to be part of the shows after seeing me in my Doris show which I was performing at Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne, the organisers came to see the show and invited me to part of it. Also, my musical director Michael Harding, is the musical director for the APO as well, and I guess he put in a good word for me too. I absolutely jumped at the chance to be part of it, who wouldn't want to be able to work with this 72 piece Australian Philharmonic Orchestra?!

You have worked in so many different types of performance settings,
how does working with a 72 piece orchestra compare?
I have worked with big orchestras before doing Carols by Candlelight at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl and at Carols in the Domain in Sydney, but never an orchestra like this, this is just such a thrill, I think 'thrilling' would be an understatement in describing it.

Have you already decided on what you will be performing at the concert?
We are doing my latest single, 'Wish you were here' which is from my 'Life Begins at 40' album, and it also happens to be in my Doris shows. I wrote that song, so I just can't wait to hear it with the orchestra, it is just going to be amazing to perform something that I have written with that scale of orchestra. I am also doing a medley of Doris songs and a couple of duets, one with Lucy Maunder and one with Denis Walter. I really love doing duets.

It is an incredible line up of some of Australia's most favourite singers and musicians, and quite a combination of styles and songs spanning Strauss to Neil Diamond, Abba, and Andrew Lloyd Webber, will you all perform some songs together at the concerts?
Yes, we will be doing a couple of songs where we are all involved which will be great, I love singing in groups and harmonising. It sounds like it is going
to be a concert that is just full of absolute variety, there will be something on the night for everybody to enjoy.

Do you have a New Year's resolution or wish for 2012?
Just to be pretty much the same as I am now, I am in a really happy place,
I am really content in my life and at peace and if that continues I will be
absolutely thrilled!

This is not a concert to be missed, celebrate this incredible 30 year milestone with the APO, see their ad for further details and celebrate a home-grown treasure! Congratulations to the APO!