The Anglican Parish of Springmountpresents

The Four Seasons Fine Music Festival

2017 Inaugural Program

From The Hon Tim Fischer AC Patron, The Four Seasons Fine Music Festival

Greetings,

Fine music and choir singing can lift morale, unify communities and provide a positive dynamic in so many ways in this troubled world of conflict, overload and tensions at all levels.

To hear Vivaldi’s major work “The Four Seasons” around the change of season, let alone Gustav Holst’s “Planets “ on a night of a full moon, is to be inspired with spirits renewed, especially in the goldfields area of Central Victoria.

May I strongly commend The Four Seasons Fine Music Festival at Creswick and Clunes as being a community network and tourism-related activity of great value and deserving of full support.

May the fine music waft far and wide across the hills and dales of Clunes and Creswick, helped along by the occasional footnote of a special steam train in full flight climbing the grades and announcing its arrival and departure.

Sincerely,

Tim Fischer AC

The Four Seasons Fine Music Festival

Presented in 2017 as an exciting new initiative by the Anglican Parish of Springmount, the Inaugural Program of The Four Seasons Fine Music Festival offers four outstanding weekend festivals of fine music and song. Performances are linked to the heat of February’s High Summer, to the cusp of Autumn-Winter in Clunes, to shadows and shimmering candlelight and the heady aroma of mulled wine in the Winter Solstice, and the effervescent renewal of life and energy with Spring Vitality.

Musicians will play an extensive range of western, European and Indian musical instruments, including the beautiful historic pipe organs at St John’s Church, Creswick and St Paul’s Church, Clunes.

Each venue has first class acoustics, with each church being a significant building in the historic central Victorian goldfields area.

The festival will annually showcase a great diversity of quality music and choral performance and will add high value to the well-established Organs of the Ballarat Goldfields and Clunes Booktown festivals.

Music and Events Committee Anglican Parish of Springmount

About our Venues

The townships of Creswick and Clunes owe their origins to Victoria’s great gold discoveries in the 1850s.

St John's Anglican Church Napier Street, Creswick

St John's Church, built in bluestone in the gothic style, was begun in 1861 to the design of prominent Ballarat architect, Henry Caselli. The pinnacled tower and gallery were added in 1869 and the brick sanctuary and timber vestry in 1892.

St John’s is noted for its outstanding collection of 10 stained glass windows and for its lofty internal proportions.

With the closure of the Barkly Street Uniting Church in Ballarat in 2015, the congregation of Barkly Street and the Presbytery of Western Victoria generously gifted their precious, State registered 1889 Fincham and Hobday tracker action pipe organ to St John’s Church and the Parish of Springmount.

Henry Caselli’s visionary design for St John’s elevated height was a critical factor in the decision to gift the organ to the church.

St John’s underwent significant structural and restoration work to house the magnificent instrument and to adapt its space for performing arts, as well as to enhance its beauty as a sacred place of worship.

St Paul's Anglican ChurchTempleton Street, Clunes

With the discovery of gold at Clunes, St Paul's Church was originally designed to be the Cathedral of Western Victoria.

Its lofty gothic proportions provide an excellent acoustic space for music and choral performances.

Built in 1870-71 to the design of Thomas Austin, protégé of the famous gothic architect, Sir George Gilbert Scott, St Paul’s is Austin’s only known Australian work.

The church replaced the earlier building of 1859 which was a prefabricated construction from North America and had a unique American architectural style.

St Paul’s mechanical action organ was originally built for private use in 1860 by Hamlin and Son of London and found its way to the Daylesford Methodist Church. It was later acquired for St Paul's by the then Vicar, the energetic Rev’d Dewhurst.

The organ is one of only two remaining Hamlin instruments in the world and it includes a national classification.

HIGH SUMMER I: Brass Saturday 25 February, 7.00pmVenue: St John’s Church, Creswick

The Little Brass Band of BallaratThe Little Brass Band is a well-known and highly-entertaining, versatile brass quintet that produces a unique blend of beauty of sound within a diverse range of music styles.

Their music is based around the five-part harmonies and melodies of the traditional brass band and the vocal lines within a choir, and they utilise instrumental combinations to create innovative sound effects and timbre. The group is presently preparing for their next CD of jazz standards.

Group members: Frank Dyer on trumpet, piccolo trumpet; Roger Clark on Flugel horn, trumpet; Janice Ballinger on French horn; Mark Witham on tenor trombone; Allan Williamson on tuba.

HIGH SUMMER II: BaroqueSunday 26 February, 2.00pm. Venue: St John’s Church, Creswick

Trillo: Baroque and OrganFormed in early 2016, Trillo comprises Dylan Quinlan-Baskett, Alexandra Bailliet-Joly, Michaela Murphy and Evlambia Vafiadis. Dylan, Michaela and Evlambia are studying at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. The four young musicians share a passion for early music, from Medieval to Baroque.

Dylan has played with many orchestras, chamber ensembles and as a soloist. He is studying for his Bachelor of Music majoring in Organ and is also learning the viola da gamba.

Michaela is studying for her Bachelor of Music, majoring

in Composition. She has a strong interest in bringing early music instruments and ideas into classical contemporary music.

Evlambia was an AMEB Grade 7 cello student when her teacher introduced her to Early Music. She plays piano, organ and harpsichord and is undertaking a Diploma in Music, studying the viola da gamba.

Alexandra (not pictured) is a recorder player, music educator and conductor. She completed her Bachelor of

Music (Recorder Performance) at the Conservatorium, then her Masters of Music Performance Teaching (Conducting) at the University of Melbourne. She performs with Trillo and the University’s Medieval and Renaissance Ensemble and has played for the university’s Baroque and Recorder ensembles.

AUTUMN I: Booktown Weekend @ Clunes Saturday 6 May, 5.00pm. Venue: St Paul’s Church, Clunes

Choir of Hard Knocks

Members of the Choir of Hard Knocks are the only artists in Australian music history to have been awarded an ARIA, Platinum and Gold CDs, a Logie and a Helpmann Award in the one year.

Theirs is a unique and inspiring story, with a world-wide movement of street choirs arising as a result of their phenomenon.

Now in their 10th anniversary year, the choir has performed in Australia’s most prestigious venues under the inspired direction of Founding Artistic Director, Dr Jonathon Welch AM, and alongside the cream of Australian musical talent.

The choir has given members a wonderful opportunity to find new purpose in life. They have acquired new skills, with some undertaking study or work and they have rebuilt their personal confidence and self esteem. Membership of the choir has enabled them to develop ongoing friendships and relationships, and to make a positive contribution to the community.

AUTUMN II: Young ArtistsSunday 7 May, 2.00pm. Venue: St John’s Church, Creswick

Ballarat & Queen’s Anglican Grammar SchoolSelected performing arts students will play as a group, in ensembles or as soloists in an enthusiastic program of music under the direction of Andrew Dale, Head of Performing Arts.

Further details will be circulated before the performance.

Please ensure that you have registered with us so that you receive all program updates. Email your name and contact details to: fourseasonsmusicfestival@gmail.com

WINTER SOLSTICE I: Candlelight SoiréeSaturday 29 July, 7.00pm. Venue: St John’s Church, Creswick

Ann Morgan, Vivien Hamilton, Alison CatanachAnn studied piano, harpsichord and organ at the University of Melbourne and undertook further harpsichord studies in Europe. She performs with numerous ensembles and orchestras, including the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra and is a regular guest at festivals, including the Melbourne Festival of Organ and Harpsichord and the Barossa Festival. She teaches harpsichord and basso continuo in the Early Music Department of the University of Melbourne.

A Scottish-born soprano, Vivien is one of Australia’s most versatile singers. She studied piano, bassoon, violin and singing and played percussion with the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra and the WA Symphony Orchestra while undertaking her Bachelor of Music (Hons) at the University of Western Australia. She has performed throughout Australia, appeared on ABC and SBS TV and her recordings are played on several FM networks. She gives master classes across Australia and is currently Director of the Early Voice Ensemble at the Early Music Studio, Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.

Alison is one of Australia’s most accomplished baroque flautists. Her studies include music and arts at Victoria University of Wellington, flute and baroque studies in Germany and The Hague, with graduate studies in modern and baroque flute at the University of Melbourne. She performs as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player, frequently appearing in concerts in Melbourne and Victoria. Alison teaches flute at the University of Melbourne and coordinates a

busy flute program at Methodist Ladies’ College.

WINTER SOLSTICE II: The Boîte in ConcertSunday 30 July, 2.00pm. Venue: St Paul’s Church, Clunes

Artists from The BoîteTwo groups of inspiring musicians who regularly appear as performers for The Boîte will delight us in a special concert with their beautifully contrasting styles.

Vinod Prasanna plays bansuri (Indian flute), accompanied by tabla (percussion). This is exquisite, meditative music that can lift your soul to another dimension.

The John Flanagan Trio has toured extensively throughout Australia. With their lyrical and uplifting songs, they are exceptional performers. The trio comprises John Flanagan (songwriter, singer, guitar, keyboard); Liz Frencham (songwriter, singer, double bass); Dan Watkins (singer, guitar, mandolin).

WINTER SOLSTICE III: Songs and Stories of the SolsticeSunday 30 July, 7.00pm. Venue: St John’s Church, Creswick

Amie Brûlée and Peter DaffyAmie sings French songs, old jazz and a range of tunes that she integrates with enchanting stories during a musical journey in which she leads you to other places, times and worlds. Her musical adventures and influences range from classical to jazz, cabaret to blues, flamenco to funk and she loves weaving new interpretations into old songs. Amie studied at the University of Melbourne and she believes that music is a fundamental part of human nature. Her musical interests include piano, pipe organ, ukulele and trumpet.

Peter is a highly versatile singer, composer and musician: he lives and breathes music and song. Through his guitar and voice, his audiences experience (or perhaps re-live?) a stellar range of songs from a bygone era when community dances and music halls reigned supreme. His trad folk performances are a favourite at festivals and his skilled arrangements are a feature of his unusual and diverse repertoire.

SPRING I: Vitality and EnergySaturday 28 October, 7.00pm.Venue: St Paul’s Church, Clunes

Babaganoush Gypsy EnsembleBabaganoush is an energetic, exuberant and rapturous five-piece band that will mesmerise you with their spicy melodies, hot rhythms and fiery vocals. Violin, clarinet, piano accordion, bass, percussion and bouzouki create warm, sensuous and intoxicating sounds, exquisite for dancing. You may find yourself dancing in the aisle!

They play the best mix of Gypsy Music, Balkan Beats and Greek Folk, full of passion and drive and with an organic beauty that is rare and unforgettable!

SPRING II: Vitality and EnergySunday 29 October, 2.00pm. Venue: St John’s Church, Creswick

Rhys Boak and Bruno SiketaRhys studied piano and organ from an early age and since completing studies at The University of Melbourne, his career as organist, pianist, choral conductor and arranger has taken him around the world. He has toured Europe, including performing in Bach’s church in Leipzig and in the Bonn church where Beethoven was organist; given the first-ever series of classical organ recitals in China and performed organ to full houses in Tokyo. His many, notable musical collaborations include the celebrated Greta Bradman. Presently Organist-Manager of Music at St Michael’s Uniting Church, Melbourne, his recordings are regularly broadcast on ABC and MBS networks.

Bruno obtained his Bachelor of Music Performance at VCA, was sub-principal trumpet with Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra for two years and since 2003 has been guest principal trumpet or casual trumpet with most Australian State orchestras and symphony orchestras. He toured China as principal trumpet and performed solo and with organ at Music at the Basilica Festival. He has performed solo at Organs of the Ballarat Goldfields

Festival and performs regularly at St Michael’s Uniting Church, Melbourne. He recently performed and recorded many new works by Australian and other contemporary composers, including with the Raga Dolls Salon Orchestra.

Early Purchase Tickets

Early purchase tickets will be available a few weeks before each concert weekend:

Creswick Visitor Information Centre 41-43 Albert Street, Creswick, Vic 3363. Tel (03) 5345 1114

Clunes Visitor Information Centre The Warehouse, Clunes 36 Fraser Street, Clunes, Vic 3370. Tel (03) 5345 3359 (Closed Tuesdays)

Online @ www.trybooking.com Select ‘Buy Tickets’, then ‘Search’ for Four Seasons Fine Music Festival. Trybooking will not accept purchases when all online tickets have been sold.

Adult $25.00 Senior/Student $20.00 Children under 14 years Free - but must have a ticket ($0.00)

Door Sales Door Sales may be available, depending on the number of early purchases.

Seating The doors will be open ½ hour before each concert. There is no allocated seating.

Refreshments Refreshments will usually be available for a small charge after each concert.

High Summer

Saturday 25 Feb 7pm The Little Brass Band of Ballarat St John’s, CreswickSunday 26 Feb 2pm Trillo: Baroque Trio and Organ St John’s, Creswick

Autumn: Booktown @ Clunes

Saturday 6 May 5pm Choir of Hard Knocks St Paul’s, ClunesSunday 7 May 2pm Ballarat & Queen’s Anglican

Grammar School: Performing Arts Students

St John’s, Creswick

Winter: Solstice

Saturday 29 July 7pm Ann Morgan and Vivien Hamilton Candlelight Soirée

St John’s, Creswick

Sunday 30 July 2pm

7pm

Quality artists from The Boîte: Victoria’s iconic multicultural arts organisation Amie Brûlée and Peter Daffy

Songs and Stories of the Solstice

St Paul’s, Clunes

St John’s, Creswick

Spring: Vitality

Saturday 28 Oct 7pm Babaganoush Gypsy Ensemble St Paul’s, Clunes

Sunday 29 Oct 2pm Rhys Boak and Bruno Siketa

Concert for Organ and Trumpet

St John’s, Creswick

2017 Inaugural Program

Register for Concert Updates• You will find it helpful to register your email address with us.

• You will receive concert updates and reviews, new ticket purchasing outlets, early notices of ticket availability and the www.trybooking.com reference number for each concert.

• Email us @ fourseasonsmusicfestival@gmail.com or

• By post to:

Four Seasons Music Festival St John’s Anglican Church, P O Box 59, Creswick Vic 3363.

Thank You

To our Patron, The Hon Tim Fischer AC, to our sponsors, to the performers,

to our many enthusiastic supporters and volunteers and of course to you, audience members -

we extend our sincere thanks.

You have each and all contributed to helping the Inaugural Year of the

Four Seasons Fine Music Festival come to fruition.

Music & Events Committee Anglican Parish of Springmount

We gratefully acknowledge our generous supporters.

Creswick & District Community Bank®Branch