Festival Performers
MOORAMBILLA FESTIVAL PERFORMERS 2011
Artistic Director
Michelle Leonard
Composers
Dan Walker and Luke Byrne - composers in residence
And featuring new commissions by Christopher Gordon, Sally Whitwell, Ben Van Tiernan and Paul Stanhope
Musicians
Synergy Percussion – ensemble in residence
Continuum Sax - Festival Featured Artists
Andrea Ostertag - Dance & Movement Artist In Residence
Sydney Youth Orchestras - Philharmonia
Moorambilla Voices regional children's choirs and MAXed Out Company
Zohar's Nigun - Festival Party Band in Residence
Special Guest Artist - Aria Award winning Pianist Sally Whitwell
Andrea Ostertag, (Master of Arts, MA), comes from the Orff Institute in Salzburg, Austria. As a music and dance educator, Andrea teaches folk dancing, dancing with children and dance technique at the Orff-Institute in Salzburg and also teaches internationally. In addition, she practices Shiatsu, is a Clown Doctor and performs in an Acappella music cabaret group.
Andrea is our first international artist. She will present movement and dance workshops during the camps and the festival
Zohar’s Nigun
‘Zohar’s Nigun’ is literally a song from the depths of one’s soul. The conceptual point of the band is that every human being has a family heritage that they belong to and, in our time of mass globalisation, in many cases belongs outside the country that they are living in. No one can choose where their parents are from or what their skin colour or ethnicity is. It is an impossibility. It simply is beautiful and meant to be devoid of the usual cultural clichés, four guys with Jewish heritage living in Australia present four very different understandings of an ancient yet ever metamorphosing culture and ethnic heritage.Utilising a sharp sense of humour and a deep understanding of history and it’s endless repercussions, the band’s music offers an antidote to prejudice and stereotyping when so many voices lacking reason and balance seem to dominate the mainstream media.
Shalom!
Violin — Daniel Weltlinger
Piano — Daniel Pliner
Double Bass — Simon Milman
Drums — Alon Ilsar
Synergy Percussion is one of Australia’s finest and most versatile music percussion ensembles. They have performed at festivals throughout Europe, Asia and the United States, as well as of Australia’s mainstage recital and performance venues.
Synergy “Synergy is the finest contemporary music group in Australia, and I am proud to be associated with it”, Peter Sculthorpe, 2008
Synergy is a world of sound with percussion at its heart. The group continues a journey which began 35 years ago, touching audiences with the beauty and expressive diversity of percussion today. With an enviable international reputation as one of Australia’s finest and most versatile music projects, synergy has performed at festivals throughout Europe, Asia and the united states, as well as most of Australia’s mainstage recital and performance venues. Core members – Timothy Constable, Alison Pratt, Bree van Reyk and Joshua Hill are all award-winning and internationally acclaimed exponents of new music in their own right.
The performing style transcends accepted wisdom about percussion music. Synergy is both subtle and a tour de force, descriptive, emotional, melodic and rhythmically athletic. Unique musical architectures are sculpted from such elements as the whisper of crumpled cloth, infectious beats, the delicate beauty of a tiny bell, or the engulfing sounds of large drums, cymbals and gongs. Synergy is at home on world music stages, contemporary/experimental art venues, pop and rock concerts, and opera and recital stages. Its expansive vision of percussion, together with the exceptionally wide musical experience of the members, has allowed the group to work together with a diverse and exemplary family of artists from around the world.
Collaborators include Fritz Hauser, Hossam Ramzy, Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Aly N’diaye Rose, Trilok Gurtu, Jose Vicente, Kazue Sawai, Dave Samuels, Evelyn Glennie, Riley Lee, Taikoz, Michael Kieran Harvey, Sydney Dance Company, Meryl Tankard And Regis Lansac, Akira Isogawa, Grainger String Quartet, William Barton, And The Leigh Warren Dancers, The Sydney and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras.
Synergy has commissioned over thirty works by Australian and international composers. The group commissions internally, and works by ensemble members have been performed internationally to high acclaim.
Recent performance highlights include the Tongyeong international music festival in Korea 2011. Synergy presented 'Hommage à Steve Reich' in celebration of the composer's 75th anniversary. Synergy launched the 2011 Youtube Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House and mentored the percussion group in the lead up to the week-long series of concerts, watched by over 33 million people worldwide.
The Synergy Percussion Performers at this year's festival are:
JOSHUA HILL
Joshua Hill completed his under graduate and post graduate study at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He has played and recorded with many of Australia’s orchestras and ensembles including Synergy Percussion, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, Eminence Symphony, Canberra Symphony, Sydney Sinfonia, Symphony Australis, Kurrawong Ensemble, NSW Police band and the Australian Airforce Air Command Band. Josh has also been a part of many recordings for soundtracks for feature film, anime and computer games.
MARK ROBINSON
Mark obtained a Bachelor of Music from the Sydney Conservatorium under the tutelage of Daryl Pratt and Richard Miller. He furthered his studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He was also awarded the James Blades Award for Percussion, the Zildjian prize and in 2012 he was appointed an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM).
Mark has performed with some of Britain's finest orchestras including the London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
As a chamber musician, he has performed Bartok’s ‘Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion’ and Luciano Berio’s ‘Linea’ during the 2004 London Berio festival. Mark moved to Belfast in 2006 after being appointed Section Leader of Percussion with the Ulster Orchestra. He held this position until he was appointed Assistant Principal Timpani/tutti Percussion with the Sydney Symphony in late 2009. He is the Vice-President of the Australian chapter of the Percussive Arts Society.
Sally Whitwell - special guest performer
Photo: Tina Fiveash
My name's Sally Whitwell and I am Keeping Classical Music Friendly.
I play the piano, sometimes in solo concerts, sometimes with lots of friends. I write tunes for all kinds of people to play and sing. I conduct groups of people too. I even help them to manifest their own imaginations in sound. Some of these people are young and just discovering music for the very first time. Others have a little more experience in life (and art). Some are professionals at the very top of their game. Others are talented and enthusiastic amateurs who love having an opportunity to express themselves.
My partner Glennda and I live happily behind our shopfront studio crowded with her paintings, my piano and our three kitties Gandalf, Boudica and Lucky. I enjoy cooking, walking and cross-stitching pretty (and occasionally subversive) things to put on the shelf next to my ARIA Award for Best Classical Album. Did I forget to mention that bit earlier? Oops. If you're desperate for the traditional classical musician lists of impressive collaborators, there's a list on my website so Google me yeah? I've also some rather more entertaining little stories to share about my musical life story, why I play the piano, why I compose, how I am a little subversive about the way I perform and how I love helping others get creative.
Oh, and social media, yeah, well, I'm on Facebook, I'm on Twitter and I blog on Tumblr… you know the drill *grin*
Other than all this, just know that I love making music and I hope you enjoy what I have to share with you.
To read more about Sally - check out http://sillywhatwell.weebly.com/
Choir in Residence
Leichhardt Espresso Chorus is a non auditioned choir from Sydney’s inner west and is delighted to be back at the Moorambilla Festival for its fourth year as choir in residence. In this role they work closely with both the regional adult and children's choirs, as well as co-commissioning much of the new Australian music featured at the Festival.
The LEC is committed to the creation of new Australian music for adults and children and seeks to deliver each performance as a shot of musical caffeine. LEC's 10th anniversary year in 2008 saw the premiere of Seven Deadly Sins by Dan Walker, interspersed with Mozart's Vespers; a Midwinter Messiah, performances on TV's Battle of the Choirs with the Coonamble Crooners, and the annual Carols on Norton in Leichhardt.
The LEC was honoured to be awarded the inaugural 2008 National Music in Communities Award for their work with the Moorambilla choirs and the communities of far western NSW as well as the inner west of Sydney.
Mentor Ensembles
St Ursula’s College, Toowoomba
HIGH SCHOOL MENTORING CHOIR 2012
St Ursula’s College, an Independent,Catholic educational and residential community, in the Ursuline tradition, is dedicated to the education and care for women in Years 8–12. Situated in Toowoomba on the beautiful Darling Downs, the College prides itself on having the reputation as a leading provider in the Performing Arts. Student excellence in the areas of choral and instrumental Music, Drama and Dance is celebrated and valued as an important aspect within the College community. St Ursula’s College is proud to have worked with Michelle Leonard in the development of our Choral Program over the past six years.
Abbotsleigh School For Girls, Wahroonga
PRIMARY SCHOOL MENTORING CHOIR 2012
Abbotsleigh is a Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12 Anglican day and boarding school for girls located in Wahroonga, on Sydney’s North Shore. Abbotsleigh empowers young women to embrace the world with confidence, competence and compassion. Each girl is encouraged to develop her potential in a caring Christian environment by fostering her pursuit of personal and academic excellence. With a history spanning more than 126 years, the School’s focus is in creating the richest possible learning environment for the intellectual, emotional, physical, social and spiritual development for learners. Abbotsleigh delivers an engaging program of discovery, one that helps students make connections and build relationships in the dynamic world in which we live.
Guest ensembles
Sydney Youth Orchestras
Sydney Youth Orchestras (SYO) is NSW’s premier orchestral training organisation, providing ongoing education and long term support to more than 400 young musicians in 11 orchestras annually. Since 1973, Sydney Youth Orchestras has provided an international standard of orchestral training to thousands of young musicians aged 6–25 years. SYO is proud of its ongoing contribution to the vibrant cultural landscape of NSW. The 2012 Moorambilla Festival welcomes the Sydney Youth Orchestra Philharmonic. This competitively auditioned orchestra includes advanced senior school and tertiary music students. Under the guidance of their conductor, Brian Buggy, this orchestra presents a range of public performances throughout Sydney and NSW.
For further information about the Sydney Youth Orchestras, visit www.syo.com.au, p. 02 9251 2422, e. admin@syo.com.au
Sydney Youth Orchestra is presented through their touring partner - Australia Post
MLC School, Burwood, Sydney
MLC School is a K-12 girl’s school that has been acclaimed nationally and internationally for being at the forefront of Music Education. Be it at the Sydney Town Hall or the Sydney Opera House; St James Church Sydney or Notre Dame Cathedral Paris; the Festival of the Winds or the APRA Awards, MLC music making is showcased and awarded by music industry professionals, educators, parents and children. Music is the second language of MLC and the school maintains a broad and inclusive program that strives for excellence through the nurturing of Australia’s future musicians and music lovers, as was featured in the Australian Documentary Mrs Carey’s Concert.
The MLC Chamber Orchestra has a strong history of nurturing contemporary Australian music through performances and community projects having premiered and commissioned over 50 new works including works by Paul Stanhope, Mark Isaacs, Stuart Greenbaum, Peter Sculthorpe and Ross Edwards. The ensemble tours regularly to much acclaim and has performed in some of the world’s premiere concert venues. MLC is very excited to be sending participants to the Moorambilla Festival as we believe the festival upholds the same ideals of musical excellence and outreach.
