Crossbows 2014 Program by Double Dash Interactive

MUSIC FESTIVAL 11– 18 OCTOBER 2014

JAZZ µ POP µ CLASSICAL µ INDIGENOUS µ INDIAN µ AFRICAN µ MUSICAL THEATRE FUNK µ IMPROVISED µ DANCE µ ELECTRONICA µ SOUND ART µ VIDEO ART

MUSIC FESTIVAL 11–18 OCTOBER 2014

Kristen Baradi Con Artists with Kristen Berardi—Big band jazz Thursday 10 May, 7:30-8:00pm, Conservatorium Theatre

EVENT OVERVIEW CON THEATRE

IAN HANGER RECITAL HALL

COURTYARD

FOYER BAR

OTHER VENUES

SAT 11 OCT 5:30pm

Bar Open

6:00pm

Crossbows Opening

7:00pm

Transient Beauty

8:00pm

Riley's 'in C' SUN 12 OCT St Margaret's: Quartet for the End of Time

3:00pm MON 13 OCT Basil Jones Sonata Prize

4:30pm TUES 14 OCT

Margaret Nickson Voice & Piano Prize

6:30pm WED 15 OCT 1:00pm

In the Dream: Ba Da Boom

6:30pm

Got Lost!: Aszodi & Rainieri THU 16 OCT

1:00pm

Divertimenti

6:30pm

Kupka's Piano & CLOCKED Out FRI 17 OCT

1:00pm

Venetian Counterpoint Kawai Series: Natasha Vlassenko & Oleg Stepanov

6:30pm

7:30pm

Conservatorium Chamber Orchestra

Burke Street Studios: Singing Concert

SAT 18 OCT 11:00am

Student Ensembles

2:00pm

Improvisers’ Forum Parklands Stage: seed Below: Elision Open Rehearsal singer-songwriters 3–5pm, 1.21

2:30pm

3:00pm

4:00pm

6:00pm

Kurilpa Quartet

6:50pm

Afternoon Ragas

Basil Jones Orchestral Hall: Viennese Triple Treat Dr. Offig River Listening

Crossbows Marathon

2:30pm 3:30pm 4:25pm

Lily Budiasa Emily Hosking Jackson James Smith

Haenke Ensembles

5:00pm

7:30pm

Barega Saxophone Quartet

7:30pm 8:15pm 9:00pm 9:45pm 10:30pm

Con Artists with Kristen Berardi Toby Wren Trio Umkancho Brodie Graham Band Electrik Lemonade

MUSIC FESTIVAL

CONTENTS EVENT PROGRAM 2 WELCOME 4 DAILY SYNOPSES 6 COSSBOWS MARATHON 14 THANKS AND SPONSORS 16

WELCOME TO CROSSBOWS We are delighted to welcome you to the second edition of Crossbows, our festival of small ensemble music. It is not by chance that we have chosen this as a recurring mini-festival after the success of the first edition in 2012. There are many reasons why small ensembles are important for Queensland Conservatorium, for the arts scene in Queensland and beyond, and for music lovers at large. For Queensland Conservatorium as a place where we nurture and develop the musicians of the future, small ensembles—whether in classical music, contemporary art music, jazz or pop—offer our students the opportunity to learn to work together, to truly listen, to develop individual creativity, but also make it part of something bigger. It hones skills in playing together like nothing else. For music at large—and particularly art music—there is a strong argument that in challenging financial times, small ensembles are most likely to thrive. Of course great orchestras will always exist, but not all musicians find their way into these large ensembles, and we observe challenges to their sustainability worldwide. A strong quartet only needs a big car or four airline tickets (maybe five to include the cello) to go and play anywhere, at overseeable costs. Finally, and most importantly, small ensemble music making can bring music lovers intense joy. The interplay between a handful of musicians on stage, giving it everything they have, has the potential to create some of the most intimate and memorable musical moments. We trust Crossbows will deliver many such moments. Enjoy! Huib Schippers, Director Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre Scott Harrison, Director Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University

MESSAGE FROM THE CURATORS Prepare yourselves for a feast of diverse music-making at the Queensland Conservatorium as we bring you the second incarnation of Crossbows. Although a somewhat more modest festival than the 2012 edition, we will nevertheless be presenting around 25 events over the week, comprising an eclectic line up of duos, piano trios, singer-songwriters, DJs, sound artists, string quartets, wind quintets, jazz combos, brass choirs, percussion groups, new music ensembles, funk bands, musical theatre singers, a string orchestra and chamber orchestra. Crossbows is the ultimate showcase of the incredible music-making taking place at Queensland Conservatorium. There are so many highlights. We celebrate the opening on Saturday 11 October with performances from didgeridoo legend William Barton and the Queensland Conservatorium Trumpet Ensemble, and ensemble-in-residence will Collusion present their critically acclaimed chamber ballet ‘Transient Beauty’ in the Conservatorium Theatre. Directly afterwards, we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Terry Riley’s minimal masterpiece ‘In C’, with a performance by the New Music Ensemble. On Wednesday, Ba Da Boom present a lunchtime concert of percussion music, and in the evening, festival-goers can experience the extraordinary talents of Jessica Aszodi and Alex Rainieri as they traverse the world of contemporary art song. Thursday’s program commences with Divertimenti’s world premiere performance of Yitzhak Yedid’s ‘Delusions of War’ and the Australian premiere of Henze’s ‘Second Sonata for Strings’. The nighttime concert is a special Crossbows double bill of experimental New music presented by CLOCKED out and Kupka’s Piano. On Friday we will be treated to a brass choir, a musical theatre song recital, a Kawai Series duo concert with Natasha Vlassenko and Oleg Stepanov, and the Conservatorium Chamber Orchestra performing Sculthorpe’s ‘Earth Cry’, in honour of the composer’s recent passing.

The real musical feast takes place on Saturday 18 October. Festival-goers can see student chamber ensembles, an improvisers’ forum, singer-songwriter sets, the prizewinning Jani Haenke chamber music ensembles, Indian ragas with Huib Schippers and Shen Flindell, Barega Saxophone Quartet, period instrument Viennese chamber music with Peter Roennfeldt and friends, River Listening, and Crossbows ensemble-in-residence, the Kurilpa String Quartet. The festival finale, the Crossbows Marathon, will see the Conservatorium Theatre transformed with the addition of a dance floor. The Marathon will feature sets from the Brodie Graham Band, Toby Wren, Umkancho, Con Artists with Kristen Berardi, and Electrik Lemonade. Throughout the night, video artist Miss Random will live mix visuals, and the Conservatorium’s own Dr. Offig (Dr Toby Gifford) will spin the decks in the foyer. With a musical smorgasbord like this, spread over an entire week, it might even be possible to go to everything this time! The only question is how hungry are your ears? Bon appetit! Graeme Jennings, Senior Lecturer in Violin Danielle Bentley, Festival Manager

SATURDAY 11 OCT CONSERVATORIUM FOYER 6:00pm

Crossbows Opening Free entry Bar open from 5:30pm Join us for music and drinks at the foyer bar as we celebrate the opening of Crossbows. Enjoy performances by didgeridoo legend William Barton and the Queensland Conservatorium Trumpet Ensemble. 8:00pm

Terry Riley’s ‘In C’ Free entry This year marks the 50th anniversary of Californian composer Terry Riley’s landmark minimalist work ‘In C’. This miraculous piece, written for any number of performers and lasting anywhere between 20 minutes to well over an hour, was written on one page of manuscript during a bus journey in 1964. It constituted a major paradigm shift for Western music and has been a favourite with performers and audiences ever since. We celebrate this occasion with a performance of ‘In C’ by the QCGU New Music Ensemble joined by staff, students and special guest performers including William Barton. Directed by Vanessa Tomlinson.

CONSERVATORIUM THEATRE 7:00pm

Transient Beauty Tickets: $32/42. Included in festival pass. Duration: 55 minutes A striking fusion of music and dance featuring Collusion and three of Queensland’s best dancers—Melissa Tattam, Rosetta Cook and Gareth Belling. With an evocative original score by Susan Hawkins and additional music by Carl Vine, Nigel Sabin and Tom Green, ‘Transient Beauty’ is a compelling and inspiring portrayal of mankind’s yearning for connection and belonging. Choreographed by Gareth Belling. “Belling’s choreographic language speaks loudly and powerfully to the audience… The synergy between dance and music, and dancers and musicians is compelling.” Nathanael Cooper, Arts Editor, Courier Mail “Collusion performed throughout with intense engagement and finesse. Their precise ensemble playing detailed the works… Dramatic opportunities (and there were many) never went to waste.” Alan Lawrence, Reviewer, Australian Modern Magazine

William Barton 6pm, Conservatorium Foyer

SUNDAY 12 OCT ST MARGARET’S ANGLICAN GIRLS SCHOOL – ARTS CENTRE FOYER 3:00pm Quartet for the End of Time – Olivier Messiaen Tickets: Adult $25, Concession $15, Family $60. Note: This concert is not included in festival pass. Duration: 60 minutes Messiaen’s wartime masterpiece ‘Quartet for the End of Time’ (1941) is a profound religious work written by Messiaen while interned in a German prisoner-of-war camp. Inspired by the Book of Revelation and Messiaen’s great love of birdsong, the work explores notions of eternity and spiritual transformation. Performers: Graeme Jennings (violin), Louise King (cello) Nicholas Harmsen (clarinet), and Colin Noble (piano). Address: St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School Arts Centre, 11 Petrie St, Ascot.

MONDAY 13 OCT IAN HANGER RECITAL HALL 6:30pm

Basil Jones Sonata Prize Free entry Duration: 3 hours approx. This prestigious annual competition is named in honour of the distinguished violinist and former Conservatorium Director, Basil Jones. The competition was established in order to promote collaborative interpretation of chamber music works. The competition is open to student string and piano duos. Performers may choose works from any era and by any composer. Contestants are judged on their ability to demonstrate a true working partnership, awareness of musical style and excellence in performance.

TUESDAY 14 OCT IAN HANGER RECITAL HALL 6:30pm

Margaret Nickson Voice and Piano Prize Duration: 3 hours approx. The Margaret Nickson Prize is an annual competition named after the renowned vocal teacher and longstanding staff member of Queensland Conservatorium. Through this award, Margaret sought to promote a collaborative approach between singer and pianist in exploring art song repertoire, chiefly that of German lieder and French melodie, as well as the foundation repertoire of Handel and Purcell. Contestants are judged on their ability to demonstrate a true working partnership, awareness of musical style and excellence in performance.

WEDNESDAY 15 OCT IAN HANGER RECITAL HALL 1:05pm

In the Dream: Ba Da Boom Free entry Duration: 60 minutes Queensland Conservatorium’s resident percussion ensemble Ba Da Boom will present a captivating program of works by Erik Griswold, Anthony Pateras, Kate Neal and Lou Harrison. Focused equally on improvisation, new works and pre-existing repertoire, Ba Da Boom has become an important laboratory for percussion in Australia. The ensemble performed the Australian premiere of Steve Reich’s ‘Music for 18 Musicians’, Reich’s ‘Drumming’ at Brisbane Powerhouse, and ‘River Styx’ as part of William Duckworth’s ‘I-Orpheus’. They were featured in the 2006 Commonwealth Games Cultural Festival in Melbourne, and toured to the first Percussive Arts Society International Convention in 2009 in the USA. Ba Da Boom has recorded extensively for ABC Classic FM. 6:30pm

Got Lost! Jessica Aszodi and Alex Rainieri Tickets: $10/15 at the door. Included in festival pass. Duration: 60 minutes This concert features the Australian premiere of Helmut Lachenmann’s epic ‘Got Lost’: a maelstrom of witty and poignant texts, sounds and techniques. Audiences will also experience the first Australian performance of a work by Los Angeles composer Nicholas Deyoe, the ‘MacCallum Songs’, and Tristan Murail’s ‘La Mandragore’ (‘The Mandrake’) for solo piano. Award-winning singer Jessica Aszodi specialises in adventurous repertoire. Her singing has garnered praise for its “…virtuosic whimsy” (New York Times) & “…upmost security and power...” (Chicago Tribune). Alex Rainieri is one of Australia’s most exciting young pianists. At 21, he has already performed concertos with many of Australia’s state orchestras as well as winning numerous prestigious national and international prizes.

Jessica Aszodi and Alex Rainieri

THURSDAY 16 OCT IAN HANGER RECITAL HALL 1:05pm

Divertimenti Free entry Duration: 60 minutes Divertimenti, the Conservatorium’s premier string ensemble, presents a diverse program of works from the past 70 years, stretching from the mid 20th Century Americana of Copland and Carter through to Henze’s haunting ‘Seconda Sonata’, John Zorn’s moving ‘Kol Nidre’, and the world premiere of Yitzhak Yedid’s ‘Delusions of War’ (commissioned through the Australia Council). Conducted by Graeme Jennings. 6:30pm

CLOCKED Out and Kupka’s Piano Tickets: $10/15 at door. Included in festival pass. Duration: 2 hours

Kupka’s Piano This special Crossbows performance by members of Kupka’s Piano explores texture, timbre and articulation through improvisatory and notated works. Working together in mixed duos and trios, Kupka’s Piano discovers the array of sounds available in smaller configurations. They will perform works by Eötvös, Glerup, Burns, Sculthorpe and Burns.

Taking its name from Bohemian painter František Kupka’s iconic 1909 painting ‘The Piano Keys’, the Brisbane-based contemporary music ensemble Kupka’s Piano entices audiences with new sounds, structures, and musical ideas. This ensemble profiles the best and latest from European, Australian and international modern art music.

CLOCKED Out present ‘Time Crystals’ In 2012 Nobel prize-winning physicist Frank Wilczek published the theoretical proof for a “time crystal”, which extends the idea of a crystal to four dimensions. In his conception, a time crystal would comprise “a group of particles that move and periodically return to their original state, perhaps in a circle”. Inspired by this, composer Erik Griswold started to musically explore themes of perpetual motion, pattern and crystalline structure— resulting in his 13-part concert piece ‘Time Crystals’. The internationallyacclaimed CLOCKED Out, ensemblein-residence at Queensland Conservatorium, have produced some of Australia’s most innovative contemporary music projects. They produce an annual series of concerts and inter-arts events in Brisbane, and tour their projects nationally and internationally. “Time Crystals was a timeless integration of minimalist ideas with contemporary classical performance style…engaging and fun.” – Realtime Arts Magazine

Kupka’s Piano

FRIDAY 17 OCT CONSERVATORIUM COURTYARD

IAN HANGER RECITAL HALL

1:05pm

6:30pm

Venetian Counterpoint: Highlights from the 1957 Sacrae Symphoniae

Kawai Series: Natasha Vlassenko and Oleg Stepanov

Queensland Conservatorium Brass Ensemble

Tickets: $14.50-26.50 available through conevents.com.au

Free entry

Note: This concert is not included in festival pass.

Duration: 60 minutes

The Queensland Conservatorium Brass Ensemble, directed by Dan Bendrups, presents a selection of instrumental works from Giovanni Gabrieli’s ‘Sacrae Symphoniae’, published between 1597 and 1615. These short liturgical pieces are written for two brass choirs, playing in counterpoint with each other. Originally intended for the sonorous acoustics of St Mark’s Basilica, the ensemble will explore the acoustic possibilities of the Conservatorium’s internal courtyard. The choirs have been expanded from eight players to twenty-four, with parts doubled and repeated to fill the courtyard space, promising a truly immersive sonic experience.

Piano virtuosi Natasha Vlassenko and Oleg Stepanov present a concert of exquisite duo works including Prokofiev’s beautiful and dramatic ‘Suite from Cinderella’ and Ravel’s energetic ‘Rapsodie Espagnole’. Internationally acclaimed pianists Natasha Vlassenko (Head of Keyboards, Queensland Conservatorium) and Oleg Stepanov (Senior Lecturer, Queensland Conservatorium) hold many accolades to their names and are both well known for their involvement as cofounders and joint Artistic Directors of the Lev Vlassenko Piano Competition.

CONSERVATORIUM THEATRE

BURKE STREET STUDIOS, 8 BURKE STREET, WOOLLOONGABBA 7:30pm

7:30pm

Singing Concert

Queensland Conservatorium Chamber Orchestra

Tickets: $8-15. To book please contact the Musical Theatre department on (07) 3735 3224. Included in festival pass (17 October performance only).

Tickets: $10-25 available through conevents.com.au Included in festival pass. Duration: 2 hours The Queensland Conservatorium Chamber Orchestra returns to the stage for their final performance of 2014. You will be treated to Mahler’s charming arrangement of Bach’s orchestral suites, Beethoven’s playful and joyous ‘Symphony no.4’ and Prokofiev’s romantic ‘Violin Concerto no.1’. As a special addition to the program, CCO will perform Peter Sculthorpe’s ‘Earth Cry’, in homage to the late legendary Australian composer (29 April 1929—8 August 2014). Established in 2001, the Queensland Conservatorium Chamber Orchestra has been exploring the rich repertoire of the Baroque and Classical eras. The orchestra is directed by our resident conductor, Michael Morgan who, since arriving in Australia in 1999, has had a major impact on the development of musical life in Brisbane.

Duration: 60 minutes Queensland Conservatorium’s talented second year Musical Theatre students present an evening of song at Burke Street Studios, the home of Queensland Conservatorium’s Musical Theatre course. Performers will sing a selection of famous show tunes and popular classic and contemporary songs. Queensland Conservatorium offers the only Bachelor of Musical Theatre in Australia. Students are renowned for their entertaining and skillful performances as singers, actors and dancers, and for colorful high quality productions of musicals such as Into the Woods, Miss Saigon, Elegies for Angels Punks and Raging Queens, Hair and Fiddler on the Roof.

SAT 18 OCT CONSERVATORIUM FOYER

CONSERVATORIUM COURTYARD

PARKLANDS STAGE

11:00am

seed singer-songwriters’ Showcase

3:00pm

Free Entry

Duration: 3 hours

Duration: 45 minutes

Duration: 2 hours

An afternoon of music on the lawn featuring singer-songwriters from Queensland Conservatorium’s seed project. The seed project is an annually released series of compilation albums featuring original music from Bachelor of Popular Music students. These independent artists are already forging their way in the Australian industry, with many touring the country regularly and releasing debut EPs.

2014 marks the 200th year since the birth of Belgian instrument maker and inventor, Adolphe Sax. In commemoration of this, Barega Saxophone Quartet will present an exciting journey through time celebrating the rich history of classical music for the saxophone. The Barega Saxophone Quartet is one of Australia’s premier single reed ensembles, performing at venues across the country. This performance will shine a spotlight on Australian repertoire for saxophone quartet and celebrate gems in the repertory that are rarely heard. Barega will present works by composers such as Paul Cutlan, Thomas Green, and composer-inresidence Andrew Ball.

Conservatorium Student Ensembles

Enjoy a selection of classical chamber works performed by Queensland Conservatorium’s best student ensembles. 2:00pm

Improvisers’ Forum Free Entry Duration: 45 minutes Improvising musicians from a wide range of disciplines discuss their individual approaches and perceptions of the artform. Conversations will be interspersed with spontaneous performances and demonstrations.

2:30pm

Lily Budiasa 2:30pm (Guitar and Voice) With haunting earthy vocals and a guitar in hand, Lily Budiasa is an engaging and imaginative storyteller, captivating audiences with her unique lyrical style and beautifully written guitar melodies.

Emily Hosking 3:30pm (Keyboard and Voice) Emily’s engaging musical style weaves between the fun, cute, emotive, quirky and the thought-provoking. With a background in musical theatre, Emily’s songwriting and performance style is entertaining and full of character.

Jackson James Smith 4:25pm (Guitar and Voice) Through his own brand of bluesinfused music, Jackson James Smith explores life’s emotional extremes, from heartache to elation. His dual blend of creative lyricism and musical expertise is akin to modern performers like Matt Corby and John Mayer.

Barega Saxophone Quartet

6:50pm

River Listening Free Entry Duration: 30 minutes This exclusive live performance features compositions and improvisations based on hydrophone recordings from four Queensland river systems: the Brisbane River, the Mary River, the Noosa River and the Logan River. The performance explores the value of listening to rivers in our current state of ecological crisis. Performed live by Toby Gifford in Brisbane and Leah Barclay in the USA. River Listening is a research collaboration between Leah Barclay and the Australian Rivers Institute to explore the creative possibilities of aquatic bioacoustics and the potential for new approaches in the management and conservation of global river systems. The project involves listening labs, field recording, sound maps, performances and installations to experiment with virtual technologies and community engagement in understanding river health and aquatic biodiversity.

Kurilpa String Quartet

IAN HANGER RECITAL HALL

CONSERVATORIUM COURTYARD

BASIL JONES ORCHESTRAL HALL

4:00pm

5:00pm

Haenke Ensembles

Afternoon Ragas

Free Entry

Viennese Triple Treat – Roennfeldt, Connelly and Curro

Duration: 1 hour

Duration: 45 minutes

The inaugural Jani Haenke Wind Quintet and String Quartet were formed through the kind support of the Jani Haenke Charitable Trust. The two student ensembles won the privilege to make use of high quality instruments, donated to Queensland Conservatorium by the Trust.

Huib Schippers will play ragas for the late afternoon in the Queensland Conservatorium courtyard on sitar, accompanied by Shen Flindell on tabla. Performances of North Indian classical music, with its strong links to nature and time cycles, comes to life in quite a different way when played in open air. The gradual unfolding of first the melodic material and then rhythmic possibilities resonates beautifully with the natural environment as an age-old tradition and spur of the moment improvisations create an intricate and exciting musical tapestry.

The Jani Haenke String Quartet, featuring Sunkyoung Kim and Minnie Hong (violins), Henry Justo (viola) and Carla Mulligan (cello), will perform the ‘Adagio—Allegro Vivace’ from Mendelssohn’s ‘String Quartet No. 2’ and Shostakovich’s ‘String Quartet No. 1’. The Jani Haenke Wind Quintet, with Monash Lal (flute), Anneka Celotto (oboe), Holly Smith (clarinet), Elliott McGuire (bassoon), and Jacob Aspinall (horn), will perform Malcolm Arnold ‘Three Shanties’ and selected movements from Anton Reicha’s ‘Woodwind Quintet Op.88, No. 2’. 6:00pm

Kurilpa String Quartet Tickets: $10/15 at the door. Included in festival pass. Duration: 55 minutes Queensland’s Kurilpa String Quartet was formed in 2010 by four of the state’s leading string players: violinist Graeme Jennings (Senior Lecturer, Queensland Conservatorium and former member Arditti Quartet, London), violinist Brendan Joyce (Leader, Camerata of St John’s), violist Yoko Okayasu (Principal Viola, Queensland Symphony Orchestra) and cellist Katherine Philp (Principal Cello, Camerata of St John’s). The quartet has performed the complete cycle of Bartok’s string quartets and has appeared at the Tyalgum Festival, Encounters India and Crossbows (2012). Their performances with didgeridoo virtuoso and composer William Barton at last year’s ABC Sunday Live series has recently been released on ABC Classics to much critical acclaim. Kurilpa will perform Beethoven’s ‘String Quartet in E-flat Major, Op 74 “The Harp”’.

While mostly active in music research as director of Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre, Huib has been playing sitar for over forty years, and performed in Australia, the US, all over Europe, in Malaysia and in India. Trained by sitar guru Jamaluddin Bhartiya and sarod legend Ali Akbar Khan, he was praised by the Times of India for his depth of expression and integrity in approaching traditional ragas. Shen studied under Pt. Kaviraj Ashutosh (“Ashu Babu”) Bhattacharya, a great tabla master of the Benares Gharana. His tabla playing is noted for his clear sound, comfortable rhythmic sense, intuitive accompaniment, sensuous bayan (bass) and a feeling of sincere devotion in his playing. His EthnoSuperLounge has been a major driver for Indian classical music in Queensland.

Tickets: $10/15 at the door. Included in festival pass. Duration: 50 minutes This ensemble, comprising Margaret Connolly (violin), Daniel Curro (cello), and Peter Roennfeldt (piano), has performed together on numerous occasions in programs featuring the fortepiano built in Vienna by Johann Baptist Streicher in 1843. Each of the performers has a long association with historical performance practices on period instruments, including the baroque period. These insights inform their approach to repertoire from the 19th century, especially Germanspeaking composers who would have been acquainted with Streicher’s instruments. This program is “totally Viennese”— both in terms of the composers and the piano being featured. Beethoven’s monumental ‘Archduke’ trio, composed in 1811, was the last work he wrote for this ensemble combination, and on various levels it is eminently worthy of the royal associations implicit in its title. In contrast, Schubert’s elegiac yet noble ‘Notturno’ is an enigmatic single movement, possibly composed towards the end of his short life.

Huib Schippers

SATURDAY 18 OCT CROSSBOWS MARATHON 7:30pm Tickets: $20 available at conevents.com.au Included in festival pass. Duration: 4 hours The Conservatorium Theatre throws open its doors for a party! Jazz, blues, funk and African beats alternating with afro-balkan-booty-funk. Featuring the Con Artists with Kristen Berardi, Electrik Lemonade, Brodie Graham Band, Toby Wren Trio, Umkancho and Dr. Offig. Miss Random (aka Eva Lunde-Bentley) will weave her magic throughout the night with live mixed video art inspired by the music.

THE ARTISTS: Con Artists with Kristen Berardi – Big band jazz

Brodie Graham Band – blues/ swing/shuffle/funk/jazz

The Con Artists showcase Brisbane’s emerging jazz talent in this 18-piece big band, formed by the illustrious John Hoffman. Under the direction of Steve Newcomb since 2013, the Con Artists regularly perform new work by emerging composers and arrangers, as well as a diversity of works by wellknown big band composers.

Brodie Graham is one of the hottest emerging talents on the Australian blues scene. At 22 years of age, he has already served an impressive apprenticeship, having shared the stage alongside blues giants including Ray Beadle, Mojo Webb, JB Lewis, Doc Spann, Lil Fi, and Phil Emmanuel. Brodie’s music has a contemporary edge, while drawing heavily on the rich history of the blues. He is known for his toe-tapping swings, infectious shuffles, clever funk, awe-inspiring jazz, and heart-wrenching soul tunes.

The award-winning Kristin Berardi, a Conservatorium graduate and faculty member, is one of Australia’s favourite jazz vocalists. Her accolades include winning the Montreux Jazz Festival’s International Vocal Competition (2006); supporting Al Jarreau and George Benson at the Montreux Jazz Festival (2007); winning the National Freedman Fellowship (2007); receiving two National Australian Bell Awards for the Best Jazz Vocal Album for 2010 and 2012; winning the National Jazz Award for Voice at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival (2012); and being a finalist in the APRA Professional Development Awards for Jazz (2013). Electrik Lemonade – funk/blues/ soul/hip-hop/electronica Electrik Lemonade is famous for its comedic live shows and irresistibly energetic funk tunes, infused with blues, soul, hip-hop and electronica. Since their debut in December 2010, Electrik Lemonade’s popularity has rapidly grown. They have played at premiere live music venues and festivals from Far North Queensland to Sydney, and have been aired live on Channel 7’s Weekend Sunrise, and Channels 10’s The 7pm Project. Electrik Lemonade has had airplay throughout Europe, North America and Australia.

Toby Wren Trio – jazz/Indian/ classical Composer/guitarist Toby Wren will perform a set of original music, including two world premieres, which develop the sonic and textural palette of the jazz guitar trio. The music, written during a recent trip to Europe, fuses classical, jazz, and Indian approaches. The concert features Andrew Shaw (double bass) and John Parker (drum set). Toby Wren is a composer and guitarist. He teaches jazz guitar at the Queensland Conservatorium where he is also completing a PhD on intercultural improvisation. Toby has written orchestral and chamber works, directed multi-arts projects, and produced five CDs of his original compositions and improvisations with the Toby Wren Trio, Toby Wren Quartet, and Babel. Tichawona Noble Mashawa’s Umkancho – African Umkancho means the sound of bone marrow. Tichawona Noble Mashawa fuses traditional Zimbabwean mbira rhythms with contemporary ideas, creating unique upbeat dance music and colourful melodies. This fivepiece band, comprising vocals, mbira, nyunga-nyunga (thumb pianos), drums, bass guitar and dancers, perform original compositions and traditional African tunes.

Dr. Offig: Expect the Unexpected Dr. Offig brings you a unique afrobalkan-booty-funk experience, with his signature mash-stiche style. Dr. Offig (aka Toby Gifford) is a music technologist, sound designer and musician, specialising in interactive music systems. His Jambot software has received national acclaim, appearing on the ABC New Inventors program. Interactive installations have been exhibited in the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, the Museum of Melbourne, Splendour in the Grass, and the European Capital of Culture Festival in Patras, Greece. He has been artist-in-residence at the Gallery of Modern Art developing live soundtracks for silent films. Toby is an active acoustic musician, live electronic music performer, and works at the arts—science nexus. Dr. Offig will be performing throughout the night between band sets. Miss Random – Video Artist Miss Random, aka Eva Lunde-Bentley, works with experimental video, photography and installations. Her work explores nature, investigates how our emotions reflect in landscapes and explores the possibilities of visual effects with urban screens and versatile spaces.

Tichawona Noble Mashawa’s Umkancho

THANK YOU Members of the Jani Haenke string and woodwind ensembles play instruments purchased by the Queensland Conservatorium with financial support from the Jani Haenke Charitable Trust. Established in 2010 under the terms of Jani Haenkeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s will and in accordance with her abiding interests, the Trust has supported a wide range of projects in the areas of the Arts and culture; conservation of the environment; overseas aid and organisations which provide spiritual care. The Conservatorium encourages students who form string and woodwind ensembles to compete in the Jani Haenke Chamber Music Competition. Students in the winning ensembles are then awarded the use of these very fine instruments to foster their further development as exceptional performers.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Mr Graeme Jennings, Crossbows Curator Dr Danielle Bentley, Crossbows Manager and Curator Mr Cameron Hipwell, Crossbows Technical Manager

Prof Scott Harrison, Director Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University The Operations team Crossbows volunteers

Lâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;R: Dr Margaret Grace, Michele Malsh and Mrs Angela Geertsma