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Jun 14 2019
3

2019 Performances and Events

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David Francis, Four Winds Executive Director talks to Elizabeth Scott, Director of VOX about VOX’s forthcoming performance at Four Winds:

‘Wonder’- songs inspired by childhood | Sunday 23 June | 12.30pm – 2.30pm | Windsong Pavilion

I had the pleasure of working with Elizabeth Scott, Director of VOX when I was GM of Sydney Philharmonia Choirs…so I was really pleased to catch-up with Liz to talk about their up-coming performance at Four Winds on Sunday 23rd June at 12.30pm.

Liz mentioned that her son is now 5 years old and that the program VOX will perform is inspired by her reflections on being a mother.

Liz told me that she has chosen music that she loves “this is a program of beautiful and powerful pieces”.  She wants to present a program which explores the different lenses through which people see or experience childhood, including moments of great joy as well as profound sadness.

For Liz the pieces in this program are united by a simplicity present in their texts and stories and the fact that simplicity can be deeply moving.  For instance, Australian composer Nigel Westlake’s work ‘My Joy is Born’ builds on a simple exchange of the words, ‘sun’ and ‘son’.  Nigel’s piece is a short extract from a much larger work he wrote following the death of his son; it is one of Liz’s favorite works in the program.

There is no doubt that this program is both musically and emotionally varied – the spectrum ranges from film music to Grimm’s fairy tales via choral lullabies and Stevie Wonder…. Liz mentioned that switching between the “emotional ups and downs” throughout the program places real demand on the singers, particularly in many of the songs which are performed without accompaniment.

A version of this program has been performed in the Utzon Room in Sydney Opera House and I was interested in how the audience responded.  Liz commented that the audience loved the variety, the many colours and sound-worlds created by this “beautiful and powerful choral music”.  Many audience members reflected that  “there’s a lot that feels familiar throughout the program and a lot to connect with”.      This isn’t entirely surprising as many of the stories and tunes are familiar, and the program includes beautiful works by well-known and much-loved Australian composers.  One of the composers, Luke Byrne will be at the concert to accompany his ‘Four Songs from Grimm’s’ on piano – a suite Liz commissioned through her work at The Arts Unit, NSW Department of Education.

We talked about Liz’s role as an educator and her passion for singing.

We are in absolute agreement that singing is a lifelong activity.  Liz is a great example of someone who, through her varied portfolio of work as a teacher, choir-leader and conductor is able to nurture singer’s interests in school, through university and beyond.  VOX, whose members are between the ages of 18 and 30 are all experienced choristers and many go on to join other choirs or major Symphony Choruses, hungry to sustain their love of singing.  It’s living proof (as if we needed it) of how singing is such a fabulous way to engage in music making throughout your life.

I’ve heard this choir perform several times, most recently in the Concert Hall of Sydney Opera House – and they are stunning.

As a singer and choir-leader myself I couldn’t recommend this concert more highly; it’s going to be truly memorable. I look forward to seeing you there…

Please discover more details about this program and book your tickets for this and our other two Windsong Series concerts.

VOX: Wonder | Exceptional Sydney chamber choir touring the South Coast for one performance only.
Windsong Series 1 | Sunday 23 June | 12.30pm | Windsong Pavilion | Info and bookings


Windsong Series 2 | Saturday 17 August | 1pm | Windsong Pavilion | Info and bookings


Windsong Series 3 | Sunday 22 September | 1 – 3pm | Windsong Pavilion | Info and bookings

Photo credits VOX: John Feely | Keith Saunders

Jun 13 2019
3

2019 Performances and Events

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Windsong Series 1 | A stunning Sunday afternoon of singing: VOX presents ‘Wonder’- songs inspired by childhood.

Sunday 23 June | 12.30pm – 2.30pm | Windsong Pavilion

VOX is a fabulous young adult choir – who better to perform a program of music to evoke childhood?

This program will inspire anyone who loves singing or simply hearing the human voice in sumptuous harmonies. It is rare for a choir of this size and expertise to tour to the Far South Coast, so this is a concert not to miss.

Childhood is a fleeting, fragile thing. It’s a time of joy but can so easily be touched by tragedy.

Whether you have children of your own or simply remember your own childhood, you’ll know the earnestness and the innocence, the sheer magic, the love and the sorrow it brings.

For this concert with VOX, Sydney’s young adult choir, Elizabeth Scott brings together exquisite music that captures the fragility and wonder of childhood.

There’s joy and humour: many choir-member’s favorite composer John Rutter pays homage to the world of children with nursery rhymes and nonsense poems, and there are highlights from Martin Wesley-Smith’s witty, environmentally aware ‘Who Killed Cock Robin’, possibly the only contemporary Australian classical song that’s been known to inspire impromptu sing-alongs!

En-route there is a choral ‘suite’ from ‘Frozen’ and expect “Double Trouble” from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and to end….music by Sting and Stevie Wonder celebrating the birth of daughters.

But heart-rending loss is present; the sombre intensity of Nigel Westlake’s Requiem for his son Eli, James MacMillan’s tender prayer in memory of the children killed in the Dunblane massacre, and Eric Whitacre’s ‘When David Heard’ dedicated to a friend who’d lost a son. This music becomes even more poignant when sung by young voices but there is solace and consolation in the luminous beauty of their sound.

The themes are timeless but this is a concert for today – music to showcase the beauty and raw emotional power of voices in harmony.

Choir Director Elizabeth Scott is a wonderful role model. She is a sought after conductor, choir leader, trainer of choir directors and educator. She was the first woman to conduct Handel’s ‘Messiah’ in the Sydney Opera House and is the founder Director of VOX.

Please click here and discover more details about this program and book your tickets for this and our other two Windsong Series concerts.

More info Book Here

Mar 03 2019
3

2019 Easter Festival

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Festivals United!

Four Winds now presents two significant Festivals; the Easter Festival and a new Youth Music Festival which was launched in November 2018.

The Youth Music Festival involved hundreds of local children and young people rehearsing and taking part. To help them all prepare, two inspirational artists worked in five schools, singer and composer Geoffrey Badger and percussionist Greg Sheehan.

Geoffrey and Greg worked in the schools each week for two terms and brought the joy of singing and playing music together into the classroom, which is not a given for many children who attend schools on the Far South Coast, so we were delighted to create this opportunity.

This incredible initiative was possible because of the generosity of individual donors to Four Winds, as well as a grant from Festivals Australia.

Easter Festival

Geoffrey and Greg inspired over 800 young performers to take part in the Youth Music Festival at Four Winds, which was presented over three days. Two days of performances and one day of coaching, led by our Artistic Director, James Crabb. The Hon. Don Harwin, NSW Minister for the Arts, who attended the event said that the Festival was ‘truly inspirational’.

We will be sharing some of that inspiration with audiences at the 2019 Easter Festival with the second performance of ‘On the Track’ – a suite of three songs commissioned for the Youth Music Festival from composer and singer Lisa Young.

The connections run even deeper! Lisa Young is part of the vocal group Coco’s Lunch who are also performing at the 2019 Easter Festival on Sunday – as well as delivering a singing workshop which anyone can take part in, on Good Friday.

The songs Lisa wrote were a great hit at the Youth Festival. They are entitled ‘To Bermi and Back’, ‘Gerygone’ and ‘On the Track’. The performers from the premiere, Bega Valley Youth Choir, and their conductor Geoffrey Badger will be leading the singing of these songs at the Easter Festival. They will be performing ‘To Bermi and Back’ at the opening concert on Good Friday evening, followed by ‘Gerygone’ and ‘On the Track’ on Saturday in the Sound Shell – with full orchestra!

Easter Festival

Four Winds now presents two significant Festivals; the Easter Festival and a new Youth Music Festival which was launched in November 2018.

The Youth Music Festival involved hundreds of local children and young people rehearsing and taking part. To help them all prepare, two inspirational artists worked in five schools, singer and composer Geoffrey Badger and percussionist Greg Sheehan. Geoffrey and Greg worked in the schools each week for two terms and brought the joy of singing and playing music together into the classroom, which is not a given for many children who attend schools on the Far South Coast, so we were delighted to create this opportunity. This incredible initiative was possible because of the generosity of individual donors to Four Winds, as well as a grant from Festivals Australia.

Geoffrey and Greg inspired over 800 young performers to take part in the Youth Music Festival at Four Winds, which was presented over three days. Two days of performances and one day of coaching, led by our Artistic Director, James Crabb. The Hon. Don Harwin, NSW Minister for the Arts, who attended the event said that the Festival was ‘truly inspirational’.

We will be sharing some of that inspiration with audiences at the 2019 Easter Festival with the second performance of ‘On the Track’ – a suite of three songs commissioned for the Youth Music Festival from composer and singer Lisa Young.

The connections run even deeper! Lisa Young is part of the vocal group Coco’s Lunch who are also performing at the 2019 Easter Festival on Sunday – as well as delivering a singing workshop which anyone can take part in, on Good Friday.

The songs Lisa wrote were a great hit at the Youth Festival. They are entitled ‘To Bermi and Back’, ‘Gerygone’ and ‘On the Track’. The performers from the premiere, Bega Valley Youth Choir, and their conductor Geoffrey Badger will be leading the singing of these songs at the Easter Festival. They will be performing ‘To Bermi and Back’ at the opening concert on Good Friday evening, followed by ‘Gerygone’ and ‘On the Track’ on Saturday in the Sound Shell – with full orchestra!

These three songs take their inspiration from place and nature, and celebrate coming together. ‘Bermi and Back’ references towns along the South Coast – where many of the children who took part in the Youth Music Festival go to school; ‘Gerygone’ is a small bird – the name of which can be translated as born of singing, or children of singing and finally ‘On the Track’ not only references the importance of ancient routes, but the physical synchronicity which happens when people sing together. They are a truly uplifting set of songs and we are excited that the Easter Festival audience will have a chance to hear a little of what we have been up to in the Youth Festival. Our aim is to commission songs each year, in order to create the Four Winds South Coast Song Book…

Here is an extract of lyrics from ‘On the Track’

And I can hear the four winds blowing wide and high
and I can feel the breezes moving by my side
I can hear the voices calling across the miles

If you have not already bought your ticket, we hope you will feel drawn to Four Winds on the magnificent Far South Coast of NSW to hear some fabulous music, to be amazed by world-class musicians and to enjoy the pristine natural setting, surrounded by friends.

2019 Easter Festival info and bookings

Discover Music in Nature

Beethoven in the Bush

Discover Music in Nature

Image credits: Chris Sheedy

Jan 31 2019
3

2019 Highlights

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Carrillo Gantner (AC)


2019 Carrillo Gantner (AC) receives Order of Australia

Congratulations to Carrillo Gantner (AC) who has received the highest accolade in the Australian Honours system being made a Companion of the Order of Australia for ‘eminent service to the community through professional involvement in, and philanthropic support for, the performing and visual arts, and to Australia-Asia exchange.’ Carrillo’s long-term involvement with Four Winds exemplifies this ‘eminent service.’

Carrillo’s mother, Neilma Gantner, was a Four Winds founder, and Carrillo was involved from our first Four Winds Festival in 1991. Between 1994 and 2004, Carrillo and Rodney Hall were Artistic Directors and in no small measure responsible for Four Winds outstanding success. In 2002 Neilma established the Four Winds Foundation, independent from Four Winds, and through which Four Winds can apply for grants for parts of our artistic program. Carrillo is the Chair of the Foundation and he gifted the land on which ‘Nature’s Concert Hall’ is situated, to the Foundation, to allow for its development as a world class performance space. The Foundation also made significant financial contributions to the capital costs of the this amazingly beautiful, creative space that is now available for year round events including the Easter Festival and the Youth Music Festival. While Carrillo is now at arms-length from Four Winds, we continue to value his wise counsel based on his wealth of knowledge of the performing arts.

We also wish to celebrate others in the performing arts who have received Australian Honours. Elena Kats Chernin, our featured composer at the up-coming Easter Festival 2019, has been made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) ‘for distinguished service to the performing arts, particularly to music, as an orchestral, operatic and chamber music composer.’ Friends of Four Winds, Lou Bennett (previously of Black Arm Band) and Lyn Williams (of Gondwana Choirs) were both made Members of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the performing arts.

Dec 28 2018
3

2019 Easter Festival

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Easter Saturday and Sunday at the Four Winds 2019 Sound Shell Program Announced

Dear All,

We are at such an exciting stage of our preparations for the Easter Festival and I’m delighted to share the program for the Saturday and Sunday Sound Shell events with you.

Following the 2018 Easter Festival you, the audience, told us that what you loved about the Festival was the opportunity to discover: to discover beautiful music which was new to you, to discover new artists, and to discover new talent, all in the informal setting of the Festival. It was also really clear to me that you love to see familiar artists in new collaborations.

We’ve really listened to you and I am delighted that this Festival builds on all those themes. There is a lot here – so please settle in and read on!

What I am really confident about is that the program comprises music, which is truly beautiful and inspiring, even though the works or composers may not be household names. Who can possibly forget the relatively unknown Peteris Vasks and Osvaldo Golijov performances from the last festival, which were clear highlights.

Easter Festival

Come and discover this amazing program of music with us…

On Easter Saturday the Sound Shell program will commence with a special ‘Welcome to Country’ which will feature a local song ‘Mother Mountain’ which was commissioned by Four Winds from Indigenous Opera Singer Deborah Cheetham, who created the song with local Indigenous Children.

Following the Welcome to Country we will enjoy a set of two works by Australian composer Ross Edwards ‘Water Spirit Song’ and ‘ Tyalgum Mantras’, which evoke music from other traditions, and the importance of being ‘present’ in today’s frenetic world. The setting of the Sound Shell provides the perfect backdrop for these works and for us all to be transported from our everyday lives into a musical world evoking other cultures and contemplation. These works will feature Riley Lee – a masterful Shakuhachi (Bamboo Flute) player who is a great friend of Four Winds – and will introduce our visiting musicians from the Australian National Academy of Music who will be a core feature of the Festival Sound Shell program.

More geographical references flow through the program on Saturday morning which includes our featured composer, Elena Kats-Chernin’s work ‘38th Parallel’ which makes literal and musical references to the border between North and South Korea. It features Christina Leonard – one of Australia’s finest Saxophone players who plays ‘an impossibly high, sustained note which appears like the sun to offer hope’….

Two short works by ANAM alumni trumpeter and composer Josh Rogan will provide interludes during the main sets of music.

We are welcoming the Arcadia Wind Quintet to the Festival who, along with musicians from ANAM will be performing an amazing piece called ‘Tetris’ by Lior Navok. For those of you who were at the 2018 Festival, this Israeli composer is a great friend of Ariel Zuckermann who was our featured flautist from Israel. Inspired by the frenetic energy of New York this work for double wind quintet reflects on our modern ‘breathless’ pace of life. What better way to reflect on how fortunate we are that the Four Winds Festival affords us time to breathe?

If you want to dive into the world of a professional musician don’t miss the masterclass in the Windsong Pavilion on Saturday lunchtime during which our international guest, Viennese pianist Stefan Vladar, will be working with pianists and sharing insights into how he approaches learning work and preparing for performances.

Saturday afternoon explores a theme of meeting places. ‘River Meeting Suite’ is not only inspired by the extraordinary life forces that exist at the meeting of rivers, but is a literal meeting of musical genres and traditions. It encompasses Indian music and singing (Sarangan Siranganathan), Tabla (Bobby Singh) and the improvisation common in jazz with the Compass Saxophone Quartet. Rather like the Festival itself, which allows audiences to go on a journey of discovery, this work discovers a space where barriers between classical, world and improvised music are broken down with truly magical results.

Saturday climaxes with a real treat. Our guest pianist, Stefan Vladar will collaborate with the Australian String Quartet in a performance of Brahm’s ‘Piano Quintet in F minor’. This substantial work will immerse you in the musical brilliance of Brahm’s music – referred to as ‘the crown of his chamber work’ – as well as the technical brilliance of these world class musicians. This collaboration is unique to the Festival. You genuinely will not hear this anywhere else so if you are looking for another reason to attend, this is probably it!

Easter Festival

On Sunday I’ve created a triple-bill performance called ‘Beethoven in the Bush’.

You may have already read about this event, in which an array of international artists will be presenting a program of jazz and world-music inspired compositions which culminates in full orchestral performances of two works by Ludwig Van Beethoven; Coriolan Overature – which depicts Coriolanius’ dilemma between war and tenderness, followed by Beethoven’s equally dramatic work for piano and orchestra; Piano Concerto No.3.

But it’s not all big orchestral pieces during this ‘triple-bill’. This Easter-Sunday afternoon performance begins with a beautiful and evocative set of pieces for Bamboo Flute (Shakuhachi) and String Quartet performed by the masterful Riley Lee and the Enigma String Quartet. ‘Elements’ will transport listeners to a gentle sound-world inspired by the elements, the perfect piece to relax to and experience outdoors. The concert moves to jazz and world music performed by the award-winning vocal group Coco’s Lunch. This all-female ensemble never fails to enthrall audiences through their infectious energy and charisma. They sing music influenced by traditions from around the globe, generally without instruments, although rhythms and musical grooves from different traditions are often added with an array of exotic percussive instruments played by the singers themselves.
Easter Festival

This concert embodies what Four Winds is about. Internationally renowned artists coming together in unique collaborations to perform great music inspired by nature and which places western classical music in the context of other traditions and genres. ‘Beethoven in the Bush’ is a great way for everyone to discover fabulous music in an exceptional setting and to experience the thrill of a full orchestra performing in nature.

The two Easter Festival Sound Shell days are surrounded by a wonderful array of concerts so please be sure to check out our website so that you can discover everything that is on offer at Easter 2019.

I’m looking forward to welcoming you!

Best wishes

James Crabb
Artistic Director

Early bird tickets are available until Monday 31 December 2018.

Image credits: Raine Brown Photography, Ben Marden, Chris Sheedy

Easter Festival

The 15% Early Bird ticket offer is available until Monday 31 December 2018. The offer applies to Sound Shell Saturday and Sunday events and Windsong Concerts 1, 2, and 3

Book Here

Easter Festival

Discover Music in Nature

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Dec 27 2018
3

2019 Easter Festival

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Discover Beethoven in the Bush; Easter Sunday Afternoon

Dear All,

I’m really excited to let you know about a fabulous triple-bill concert we have on Easter Sunday as part of the 2019 Four Winds Easter Sunday.

In a new level of ambition for the Festival, we are going to be delivering the thrilling sound of a full orchestra playing the mighty works of Beethoven. Come and experience one of the world’s greatest and most performed composers in the beautiful setting of the Four Winds Sound Shell.

This special triple-bill will culminate in full orchestral performances of two works by Ludwig Van Beethoven; Coriolan Overature– which depicts Coriolanius’ dilemma between war and tenderness, followed by Beethoven’s equally dramatic work for piano and orchestra; Piano Concerto No.3. Our special international guest pianist Stefan Vladar will be conducting and playing the two Beethoven performances. These are Stefan’s only performances whilst in Australia.

Easter Festival

But it’s not all big orchestral pieces during this event. The performance will begin with a beautiful set of pieces for Bamboo Flute (Shakuhachi) and String Quartet performed by the masterful Riley Lee and the Enigma Quartet. ‘Elements’ will transport listeners to a gentle sound-world inspired by the elements, the perfect piece to relax to and experience outdoors. The concert moves from music inspired by the elements to jazz and world-music performed by the award-winning vocal group Coco’s Lunch. This all- female ensemble never fails to inspire through their infectious energy and charisma. They sing music influenced by traditions from around the globe, generally without instruments, although rhythms and grooves in music from different traditions are often added with an array of exotic percussive instruments played by the singers themselves.

This concert embodies what Four Winds is about. Internationally renowned artists coming together in unique collaborations to perform great music inspired by nature and which places western classical music in the context of other traditions and genres.Beethoven in the Bush is a great way for everyone to discover fabulous music in an exceptional setting and to experience the thrill of a full orchestra performing in nature.

I sincerely hope you will not miss this chance to be at Four Winds to share this great concert with all your family and friends, and I look forward to seeing you there! If you don’t know the Coriolan Overture…here is the great Leonard Bernstein conducting a performance…CLICK HERE.

I’m looking forward to welcoming you!

Best wishes

James Crabb
Artistic Director

Early bird tickets are available until Monday 31 December 2018.

Sound Shell Sunday | Beethoven in the Bush
Easter Sunday 21 April 2019, 12noon – 4.00pm
Four Winds Sound Shell, Barragga Bay, Far South Coast, NSW

Featuring: Stefan Vladar (piano),Coco’s Lunch, Enigma Quartet, Riley Lee (shakuhachi) and Festival Orchestra.

Tickets: Adult $100, Concession $70
16yrs and under and Access Pass holders are free.

Image credits: Raine Brown Photography, Ben Marden

Easter Festival

The 15% Early Bird ticket offer is available until Monday 31 December 2018. The offer applies to Sound Shell Saturday and Sunday events and Windsong Concerts 1, 2, and 3

Book Here

Easter Festival

Four Winds events are made possible by our dedicated and generous volunteers

Volunteer Now

Dec 14 2018
3

Performances and Events

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Four Winds ‘Folk’ Christmas

Saturday 15 December | 7.30 – 9pm | Windsong Pavilion

This Saturday evening….Mulled Wine, Mince Pies and Music

This festive concert will recall the times when people gathered together in domestic and community settings to sing and play Christmas music together. People gathering for this performance will enjoy the chance to sing carols accompanied by these fine musicians and singers, along with a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie under the stars. Christmas Folk will be an intimate, immersive and beautiful way to celebrate the season.

Featuring:
Kate Burke (voice/fiddle/guitar)
James Crabb (classical accordion)
Luke Plumb (bouzouki/mandolin)
Oscar Neyland (double bass)
with
The Friday Choir

Tickets: $40, Youth 16yrs and under FREE

Dec 08 2018
3

2019 Easter Festival

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More info Book Here


Easter Festival

Give the gift of Four Winds…

Share your passion for music with friends and family this Christmas. A gift of tickets to the Four Winds 2019 Easter Festival will undoubtedly bring delight and joy.

‘Beethoven in the Bush’, our amazing triple bill concert, presented outdoors in the fabulous Sound Shell on Easter Sunday, is just $85 (Early bird price) and $70 (Concession) for a great afternoon of unforgettable music. Other Festival tickets range from $15 to $250.

Early bird tickets are available until Monday 31 December 2018.

Have a great summer holiday, and we look forward to seeing you, your family and friends at Easter.

Merry Christmas

Image credits: Raine Brown Photography, Ben Marden, Sapphie Coast Tourism