Halcyon casts the first stones
Nine new composers. Nine new works. Contemporary music ensemble Halcyon performs these diverse and inspiring compositions that have been created through their First Stones project, an innovative and exciting opportunity for young Australian composers.
From numerous applicants, Halcyon selected nine promising composers from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and issued them the challenge of writing a song for voice and chamber ensemble. They attended workshops and seminars over the past six months under the mentorship of Halcyon and composer Elliott Gyger. For young composer Peggy Polias, the experience has been “intense and rewarding… a forum of exchange of knowledge, expertise and ideas that makes me want to take risks and move out of my compositional comfort zone.”
Halcyon Artistic Directors and singers Alison Morgan (soprano) and Jenny Duck-Chong (mezzo-soprano) created First Stones to reach out to emerging composers who are keen to write for voice. Jenny says: “ For some years now, young composers have been approaching Halcyon, looking for the chance to either write something for us, or have us perform something they’ve already written which they would love to hear live. While we do love to champion emerging composers and see what vocal work they are producing, there are limited opportunities in every performing year to showcase them. We have also had the chance to work alongside composers in workshop and seminar situations over the years, and we love the conversations and the knowledge that can be shared when composers and performers get this sort of chance to interact and learn from each other.”
The composers for 2011 are: Damian Griffin, Lachlan Hughes, Nicole Murphy, Pedro Oliveira Woolmer, Anastasia Pahos, Peggy Polias, Owen Salome, James Wade and Chris Williams.
Joining Halcyon in the performance of these final works will be clarinetist Diana Springford, cellist Geoffrey Gartner, harpist Genevieve Lang and pianist Sally Whitwell.
Tickets: Adults $30 | Concession $20 and Under 30 | Tickets available at the door
Book online: http://www.cityrecitalhall.com/book/id/1058 or phone (02) 8256 2222
