One of my favourite activities (and I think one of the most important in the Arts Sector) is Regional Touring. I’ve always loved being on the road - and bringing high quality programming to important and historic towns around Australia. There are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate fans of Classical Music everywhere - and I believe they deserve unapologetic access to great programming.
I am very excited to be heading to my third Canowindra Baroque Musical Festival with the wonderful Van Diemen’s Band for multiple projects across 18-20 September. This includes our TRANSFORMATIONS project (the full recording will just have been released in September) including works by Brooke Shelley and Alice Chance that have been gratefully supported (in addition to part of this tour) by Create NSW.
From the Canowindra Baroque Music Festival website
In 2026 we welcome Van Diemen’s Band for their inaugural performance at Baroquefest!
Hailing from the wild and unspoiled island state of Lutruwita/Tasmania, 'Australia's Baroque supergroup' Van Diemen's Band breathes new life into historically-informed performance, venturing boldly into "Baroque and beyond" while remaining grounded in their musical heartland.
For the 2026 Canowindra Baroque Music Festival, Van Diemens Band has curated a program that traverses 17th century Europe through to 21st century Australia, via irresistibly toe-tapping klezmer and the uniquely genre-defying Van Diemen's Fiddles.
Performers:
Andrew O’Connor - Bass-Baritone
Julia Fredersdorff - Artistic Director & Baroque Violin
Simone Slattery - Baroque Violin
Katie Yap - Baroque Viola
John Ma - Baroque Viola
Laura Vaughan - Viola da Gamba
Simon Martyn-Ellis - Theorbo
Thomas Wilson - Organ
Rachel Meyers - Violin/Viola
Dave McNamara - Accordion