Making music for regional communities “is a responsibility of any Australian artist”
BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE Alexander Voltz is based in Brisbane — a city boasting well over 2 million inhabitants. But the composer has found new inspiration […]
CutCommon
Why we’re exploring music in all its forms
BY CHLOE HASSON, BLUE STOCKINGS In early 2020, I received a message request from a girl named Alison Paris. She had a vision: she wanted […]
Musical reflections on light and darkness, love and loss
BY JENNY ERIKSSON, THE MARAIS PROJECT FOUNDER AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR The idea for The Marais Project’s most recent album Australian Monody was more prosaic. It […]
Julius Schwing is creating new guitar techniques from his Bruny Island studio
BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE Living in Tasmania carries with it a feeling of remoteness. We are far away from the place we call “the mainland”, yet […]
How to compose a jump scare, and other creepy tales
BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE Something doesn’t feel right. Your heartbeat quickens, and your muscles tense. You raise your hands in front of your eyes, peaking through […]
Eisteddfods are essential to young musicians – even in a pandemic
BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE A memory. I am 14 years old, and have entered into the local eisteddfod. I’ve been learning the piece for months — […]
Is it worth being a composer in Australia?
BY MICHAEL BAKRNČEV In 2017, Melbourne contemporary classical composer Michael Bakrnčev addressed the question, Is it worth becoming a composer in Australia? Half a decade […]
The beautiful story of how your violin is made
BY JESSIE WANG, LEAD WRITER (COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL AWARENESS) If you’re a string player, have you ever wondered how your instrument is made? Sure, you […]
Rachelle Durkin was “creeped out” by this scary opera — and she sings the lead
BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE We all know what it feels like to lose a little sleep. Whether we’re excited about a big commitment, or worried we’ll […]
Hipster-not-hipster Rob Hao premieres an unusual piece at the SOH
BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE You may have read our recent interview with Nicholas Vines. The Australian composer has penned a suite of 12 preludes called Indie […]