It is a great delight to be programming Hark! 2024 which rounds out the 40th Anniversary Year of The Song Company. Earlier this year I became an uncle for the first time, and I found myself reflecting on the 'sacred' and gentle way in which humans hold themselves around new life – and indeed around the end of life also. We speak gently, think deeply, and often find moments of great togetherness.

The Christmas Season, regardless of your particular religious stripe, is a time of year that invites reflections on family, friendship, and (for some) faith – and at its centre draws focus to the story of a child being born in a stable to Jewish parents in what was then Roman-controlled Palestine. Hark 2024! will reflect and celebrate the Christmas story and the little everyday miracle of new life with music and poetry old and new; both sacred and secular.

The Song Company tours Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong, and the Blue Mountains with this program from 28 November - 1 December.

All details can be found here.

I am over the moon to announce that I will be debuting with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for not one but two projects in their 2024 Season.

In August I will give the WORLD PREMIERE of Katy Abbott's new commission for the MSO 'Hidden Thoughts: Stories of Awe' – a 40-minute work for Orchestra, Soprano, Baritone and Narrator helmed by Maestro Benjamin Northey. You too can contribute to the work with your stories of awe via the MSO website below. To be part of such an important premiere in Hamer Hall really is a huge honour.

From the MSO Website

Friday 09 August 2024 - 7:30pm at Hamer Hall

Saturday 10 August 2024 - 7:30pm at Hamer Hall

Featuring

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Benjamin Northey conductor
Sunny Kim vocalist
Andrew O'Connor bass-baritone
Pamela Rabe narrator

Program

Katy Abbott* Hidden Thoughts III: Stories of Awe**
Max Richter The Four Seasons Recomposed

*MSO Composer in Residence
**World premiere of an MSO Commission

About this performance

This dynamic program opens with the third piece in Katy Abbott's award-winning Hidden Thoughts series. Based on the stories of anonymous participants, this piece sets individual stories and the collective voice to music, capturing and delivering the very human experience of awe. The stories tell of unexpected encounters, of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary, of being moved by music, art, nature, kindness and courage. Collective effervescence, spiritual awakenings, the delicacy and complexity of nature and the infinitesimal self within it.

If you’d like to contribute a story to Hidden Thoughts III, please complete a short anonymous survey at: bit.ly/stories-of-awe

Ground-breaking composer Max Richter’s minimalist-inspired music is equally at home in the concert hall as it is on screen, having featured in Arrival, and episodes of Black Mirrorand The Last of Us, among many others. His innovative fresh take on Vivaldi’s Four Seasonstopped the classical charts in 22 countries in 2012, and continues to awe devotees of the original and new fans alike.

Duration: approx. 2 hours including interval

From the Song Company Website:

Celebrating the wealth of Australian music commissioned and performed by The Song Company over its illustrious 40-year history.

14-30 June
Newcastle, Wollongong, Canberra (more to come…)

Drawing inspiration from the iconic masterpiece by Peter Sculthorpe, The Stars Turn captures the essence of The Song Company's vibrant history, showcasing our rich tapestry of collaborations with some of the brightest stars of Australian music. From the mesmerising Elena Kats-Chernin to the intricate textures of Nigel Butterly and Katy Abbott, this program is a snapshot of The Song Company's musical milestones.

The Stars Turn also casts its gaze toward the future, with the next generation of composers whose talents light up the musical sky. Experience the innovative soundscapes of Alice Chance, Sonya Holowell and Chris Williams, and the debut of a mesmerising new work by Angus Davison.

Don't miss this extraordinary celebration of Australian musical creativity, past, present and future. Secure your tickets now and be part of this luminous constellation of sound.

I will be (re)joining The Song Company for three major projects in its 40th Anniversary Season in 2024 - and the first of these is Superbloom with guest director Jane Sheldon.

Touring from 1-10 March in Newcastle, Wollongong, Canberra, Sydney, and to the Orange Chamber Music Festival.

From The Song Company Website:

"Superbloom" is the phenomenon in which the desert landscape receives an unusual season of rain such that the next spring brings forth carpets of rare displays of flowers. Immerse yourself in this magical and musical "Superbloom" - a program of rare works for unaccompanied voices that draws parallels between the stark beauty of the arid desert and the lush abundance brought by the wet season.

Acclaimed Australian-American soprano and composer Jane Sheldon makes her Guest Directorial debut with The Song Company. Her artistry has created a musical journey that connects historical compositional giants such as Hildegard von Bingen and Carlo Gesualdo with contemporary composers Rebecca Saunders, Chaya Czernowin and James Weeks. Plus, be among the first to experience a brand-new work composed by the talented Jane Sheldon herself.

The Song Company has been captivating audiences with adventurous programming for 40 years. Join Australia's world-class vocal ensemble for this unforgettable experience that celebrates both the resilience of the desert and the creativity of the human spirit.

Superbloom Tour Dates & Ticket Links

Newcastle
Fri 1 March, 6pm
Newcastle Conservatorium of Music, Newcastle

Wollongong
Sat 2 March, 3pm
St Francis Xavier Cathedral, Wollongong

Canberra
Sun 3 March, 3pm
Wesley Music Centre, Ainslie

Sydney
Thu 7 March, 7pm
Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House 
 
Orange
Sat 9 March, 11am
Orange Chamber Music Festival 
Holy Trinity Church, Orange

Chatswood
Sun 10 March, 3pm
Our Lady of Dolours Catholic Church, Chatswood

The Song Company Christmas

Start the festive season with well-loved carols and heart-melting harmonies. 
A Christmas concert for the whole family to enjoy together in Sydney and Wollongong.

The Song Company Christmas Carol program Hark! will be presented three times in Sydney and for the first in Wollongong.

TICKETS AND DETAILS

See The Song Company Christmas Carols:

Wed 29 Nov, 6:00PM Our Lady of Dolours, Chatswood

Thu 30 Nov, 6:00PM St Francis of Assisi, Paddington

Fri 1 Dec, 6:00PM The Garrison Church, Millers Point

Sat 2 Dec, 2:00PM St Francis Xavier Cathedral, Wollongong

Hark! will also be broadcast live via the Australian Digital Concert Hall on Friday, 1 December at 6pm and will be available on demand after that initial livestream.

The Australian Vocal Ensemble (AVE) concludes its Regional NSW tour - facilitated in part by Music Viva and the former RISE Fund - with performances in Bathurst, Orange, Kangaroo Valley, and Goulburn. Orange also includes an education and choral workshop which is open to singers in the community - so I advise contacting the Orange Regional Conservatorium for more specific on-the-ground details in preparation for that.

Importantly, our performance in Kangaroo Valley is facilitated by Arts in The Valley - and long-time supporters of the arts, Nick and Caroline Minogue. We are very grateful, as I am in particular, to be heading to the exceptional beauty of The Valley for this tour performance.

All tour details can be found at the Australian Vocal Ensemble (AVE) website.

I am delighted to be making the trip out to Baradine and Dubbo again this year (having missed the August camps being in the United States) for the always engaging, connecting, and grounding Moorambilla Voices Residency Camps and Gala Concerts.

In addition to the usual concerts there are also many open-air activities and cultural events as part of a mini festival just across the road from the theatre.

Taken from the Moorambilla Voices Website

Experience the fantastic choirs of Moorambilla Voices as they celebrate regional Australia and the youth that inhabits it in the iconic Moorambilla Gala Concert Series! Each year Dubbo Regional Theatre & Convention Centre will host four concerts. Each 80-minute concert will leave you mesmerised and uplifted. Feel firsthand the power of the Japanese Taiko Drums, listen to the beauty of the angelic voices of our regional choirs and MAXed OUT company as they join with senior choreographers, photographers, Taiko percussionists, a Chamber Orchestra and Visual Artists. Led by Founder and Artistic Director Michelle Leonard OAM, join them as they celebrate the inspiring beauty and capacity of the region.

(SOLD OUT) MOORAMBILLA VOICES RIVERSONG 2023: MARKS ON COUNTRY

DUBBO: 23 & 24 September 2023 at the Dubbo Regional Theatre & Convention Centre

Experience the Moorambilla Magic in this joyful celebration of Country, connection, contemporary art and choral music, choreography and installation visual art.
Celebrate the energy, tenacity and enormous capacity of our region’s children. 
Feel the power and energy of our magnificent rivers interpreted through Japanese Taiko Drums, dance, and the voices of our four regional youth choirs, all woven together with a word-class Chamber Orchestra.

The program was informed by the annual 2023 Artistic and Cultural Immersion Program, inspired by the stories, relationships and Country of the Gamilaroi,Yuwaalaraay and Yuwalayaay language groups of the Gomeroi Nation starting from the head of the Castlereagh River at the magnificent Warrumbungles connecting through to the wonders of the Narran Lakes.
  
Performed by four youth ensembles that represent 21 LGAs of North West NSW.

Following the concerts join us across the road at Victoria Park for spectacular FREE light and fire sculptures. 

MOORAMBILLA VOICES RIVERSONG 2023: FIRE! SAND! LIGHT!

In addition to our two sold-out performances of ‘Marks on Country’ at the Dubbo Regional Theatre, we are proud to share our FREE community ‘FIRE! SAND! LIGHT!’ festival which will take place over the weekend – Friday 22-24 September in Victoria Park – opposite the theatre. 

Facilitated via RISE and Musica Viva Australia - AVE will be touring Regional NSW in March 2023. Performances will feature our Tumbling Like Stars program, and in addition a range of workshop and educational activities are available by arrangement.

More details to come as Musica Viva Australia arranges final details.

Twice delayed by the Covid-19 Pandemic - The Australian Vocal Ensemble will be recording it’s Tumbling Like Stars project in full in 2023. Please follow AVE on socials (or keep up to date with the website) in order to keep up with the final release date.

First Stones

a vocal writing intensive

Presented in association with the Australian Music Centre

Halcyon presents First Stones in July, an intensive composer development program focusing on the voice and vocal writing. First Stones is perfect for composers who are keen to learn more about working with voice and exploring the diversity of contemporary vocal composition. It is designed to lay foundations, deepen understanding and help produce better and more confident composers for the voice. Stage 1 of the program is also ideal for singing students or teachers who want to learn more about contemporary composers for voice and broaden their repertoire.

Held over two weekends in July (9-10 and 16-17), First Stones is an exciting opportunity for emerging Australian composers to hone their skills with Australia’s pre-eminent vocal chamber music ensemble and composer-mentor Elliott Gyger.

I am looking forward to joining Jenny Duck-Chong, Elliott Gyger and the emerging composers selected for this program for the second weekend of workshops in July. Jenny is an extraordinary musician and Halcyon such an important organisation in the landscape of Australian Contemporary Art and Vocal Music.

I am excited to return to the rugged beauty of Tasmania for a project at the Festival of Voices (Hobart) which features the music of Franco-Flemish Composer Pierre de Manchicourt. A small group of vocalists will perform these works (which were recorded in January 2021) for what in many cases will be the first time they have been heard live since the composer wrote them in the 16th century.

New works by Australians Brooke Shelley and David Drury will also be given their Tasmanian Premiere.

6 & 8 July at 7:30pm and 6:00pm

St David’s Cathedral, Hobart

Click here for tickets and information

Currently slated for performances in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Melbourne and Canberra (with additional dates for Sydney delayed due to Covid-19) the Australian Vocal Ensemble will tour their Tumbling Like Stars program, featuring the music of many Australian composers alongside beautiful works from the Renaissance and Baroque eras.

For more details and future dates please visit the Australian Vocal Ensemble website.