The much-anticipated inaugural Sunshine Coast Chamber Music Festival will be held from June 18-20 and it promises to excite, soothe, connect, challenge and inspire music lovers.
The exciting program showcases dynamic Australian artists and will feature nine memorable live performances in the Sunshine Coast region’s most breathtaking spaces.
Artistic Director Louise King said her vision was to curate events that resonated with the Sunshine Coast community and lifestyle and to build new audiences and appreciation for the diversity of the festival musicians.
“The Festival’s theme is Distance and Intimacy/Hope and Regeneration, to reflect the timeless journey of chamber music to today’s unforeseen challenges for artists,” she said.
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“For many, this festival is the first opportunity in 12 months to perform live, so it promises to be a poignant occasion for everyone.”
A major aim of the festival is to support the Australian arts community and every ticket sold will count towards reigniting the arts and supporting talented artists from and beyond the Sunshine Coast.
Ms King has chosen traditional and unexpected settings across the region for each unique concert to celebrate the Coast’s natural, ancient landscapes through artistic collaboration, cultural exchange and evocative music.
The festival’s opening concert, OPEN AIR: ‘Song of the Black Swan’ will weave together ancient Dreamtime stories and Aboriginal legend through ritual, music, and song.
“We have wide-ranging experiences to share from CLASSICS FOR CHILDREN: ‘Sonic Safari’ in Buderim to our FRINGE: ‘Beats + Loops’ in Maroochydore,” Ms King said.
“Our hinterland communities will host intimate concerts so music lovers can discover our pioneer heritage and hospitality at Eudlo and Palmwoods in our SMALL HALLS: ‘Nature Spirit’ and ‘Fire Dances’, ‘Greenbushes’, and ‘Southern Cross Dreaming’ featuring headline artist Karin Schaupp, an internationally renowned classical guitarist and senior lecturer in guitar at QCGU,” she said.
A morning concert titled SECRET GARDEN: ‘Bird Song’ celebrates the natural amphitheatre and bush setting amongst the sculptures of the Bushland Botanic Garden at Tanawha, featuring Queensland’s up and coming young ensemble, Acetaria Woodwind Quintet.
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Special outreach performances titled MUSIC & WELLNESS: ‘Musical Meditations’ will be hosted at Sunshine Coast University Hospital and an aged care centre, in partnership with regional charity Wishlist.
On June 19, the festival will reach a crescendo with a sophisticated Chamber Music Gala themed ‘Songs of Sky, Bush & Moon’, featuring three headline artists at the Events Centre Kings Theatre.
Another exciting facet will be the launch a new annual RISING STARS: ‘mentorship program’ which offers young emerging musicians mentoring in chamber music practise by esteemed, established professional artists and ensembles.
“This inaugural mentorship program will launch in partnership with Camerata, Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra and Sunshine Coast Youth Orchestra,” she said.
‘These young musicians will play in OPEN AIR: ‘Heartland’ alongside Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University Riverside Guitar Ensemble and the Acetaria Woodwind Ensemble, who are QCGU 2020 Ensemble Prize Winners, as our closing festival concert.
“It will be a fitting finale to a brilliant festival and end on a note of looking to our future together.”
Tickets will be limited and available soon from the festival website at sccmf.com.au.
