It might be tucked away in our local Bangalow but it is one of those events that shouldn’t be missed. The Bangalow Music Festival (BMF) will be exploring the the ‘truth essence of chamber music’ as Southern Cross Soloists celebrates its 18 years of bringing chamber music to the local community.
The festival starts today and runs until Sunday August 11 at the Bangalow A&I Hall and last night held its festival prelude, Celebrating Bangalow: Emerging Stars of the Region. Emerging stars and virtuoso soloists merged to create a magical night of celebration of the region’s talents.
The weekend will consist of nine curated concerts that will explore and celebrate the true essence of chamber music: communication, collaboration and conversation. Headline artists will include renowned Australian classical guitarist Karin Schaupp and resident conductor of the Colorado Symphony, Chris Dragon who are both making their returns to BMF.
‘Music magically tells a story and begins a conversation between the performers and the listeners, capturing hidden emotions and atmospheres that belie words or descriptions and connects us to something larger than ourselves,’ said Artistic Director Tania Frazer.
‘The joy in performing chamber music is that it is a continuous conversation where each musician must listen, react, adjust and communicate on an almost constant basis. As a musical form, all performers are equal and share leading the ensemble.’
Bangalow Art Prize
Rune A-ith was awarded the Bangalow Art Prize last night for her woven sculpture 9 Cocoons: Inflorescence of the Bangalow Palm.
“Cocoons represent a sense of hope, an opportunity for transformation and full metamorphosis, said Rune A-ith.
‘The three-dimensional work communicates a reminder that as communities we can grow together and promise a better future for generations to come as long as we take the time to hibernate and consider ideas, consequences and solutions. Our landscape is precious. It gives to us generously. We are its caretakers and we must take responsibility for the longevity of it.’
Wafting up out of the village on the breeze are the music notes of the Bangalow Music Festival. The violinists take a bow as they are noted to pluck the strings in an essence to find “the true essence of chamber music” as that is the aim of the Festival. The Southern Cross Soloists beam in as the stars that they are to celebrate the 18th year of bringing chamber music to the local community. They have arrived.