Three outstanding young ensembles headed north for the prestigious 2024 Australian Festival of Chamber Music
International Masterclasses Program
Two ensembles from Sydney and one from Melbourne are about to leave their southern bases and fly north to Townsville-Gurambilbarra after being selected to take part in the Australian Festival of Chamber Music’s (AFCM) prestigious International Masterclasses Program.
The Masterclasses are an unforgettable experience for emerging musicians to gain access to some of the world’s best international and Australian artists for lessons, masterclasses, mentoring and concerts. Since 1992 the AFCM International Masterclasses have been offering valuable coaching from some of the world’s finest chamber musicians, as well as networking and performance opportunities.
Andromeda Saxophone Quartet from Sydney was formed in 2022 on Gadigal Land and is a rising chamber music ensemble of students and alumni from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. The quartet of saxophonists is made up of Paige Gullifer, Ryan Piccione, Bella Fox and Rachel Down.
Winners of the acclaimed Henderson Scholarship (2023) and finalists in the Sydney Conservatorium Concerto Competition (2022), Andromeda is passionate about curating exceptional chamber music. They attended the European University of Saxophone in Gap, France, where they were mentored by some of the most renowned saxophonists in Europe; they featured at Dots+Loops 2023 PLAYBACK Festival, performing several Australian premieres and performed at the opening of the Sydney Botanic Gardens amphitheatre and as part of Wollemi Chamber Society’s 2024 Season. Above all, Andromeda are passionate about showcasing the versatility of the saxophone, and its perfect fit in the world of chamber music.
Per Duo also from Sydney is a percussion duo made up of Jack Peggie and Shu-Hsuan Wang, playing a diverse range of repertoire across a myriad of instruments. Jack is the current Sydney Symphony Orchestra Fellow. He has also played with the Australian Youth Orchestra in their 2023 Seasons program as principal timpanist and is continuing his studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music after studying with Jacob Nissly at the San Francisco Conservatorium of Music.
Shu-Hsuan Wang graduated from the Department of Music at Taipei National University of the Arts under Professors Shih-San Wu and Pei-Ching Wu. Shu-Hsuan was a prize-winner of the Perth Marimbafest 2023 and the Australian Percussion competition 2019 and represented the TNUA new music workshop in 2023 in a new music ensemble exchange at the Seoul National University. She is currently continuing her Masters studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under one of the AFCM’s favourite artist, Claire Edwardes.
Trio Lumina from Melbourne includes violinist Anna Sing, cellist Vincent Wang and pianist Joy Xi. Meeting initially at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (MCM), Trio Lumina’s members have been finalists in the 2019, 2021 & 2022 MCM Chamber Music Competition, and first placed in the 2021 Musical Society of Victoria Chamber Music Award and the 2021 Boroondara Eisteddfod Open Chamber Ensemble section. They are committed to showcasing a diverse range of repertoire, with their members having recently premiered and recorded new works by Australian composers Chris Pickering and Hamish Madden. They also love salsa dancing, creating all sorts of culinary delights, and befriending neighbourhood magpies.
Music fans can watch live as AFCM artists coach these outstanding ensembles during the series of free public masterclasses held at The Ville Resort-Casino. The AFCM International Masterclasses series and week-long tutelage program culminates in a fantastic concert later in the week.
- Monday, 29 July 2024, 1pm – AFCM International Masterclass 1 (FREE EVENT)
- Wednesday, 31 July 2024, 1pm – AFCM International Masterclass 2 (FREE EVENT)
- Thursday, 1 August, 1pm – AFCM International Masterclass 3 (FREE EVENT)
- Friday, 2 August 2024, 1pm – AFCM International Masterclasses Concert – The Pavilion, The Ville Resort-Casino (TICKETED EVENT BUY TICKETS HERE)
One participating group is invited back the following year to be the AFCM Fellowship Ensemble, touring the North Queensland region and working with students in secondary schools in the AFCM Outreach Tour and Workshops. This year that ensemble is Zaza Road – all details of the tour here
Australian Festival of Chamber Music
26 July to 4 August 2024 in Townsville-Gurambilbarra, North Queensland
Concert tickets and Festival passes on sale now
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