Resonate Magazine | Australian Music Centre

Image: The Gathering, 2025  

Ensemble Offspring was privileged to be invited to present two concerts and a panel as part of ANU's The Gathering from Thursday 27 - Saturday 29 November in Canberra at The Street Theatre. This was a gathering of First Nations peoples and their allies, from Australia and the Pacific, with a focus on First Nations music and especially composition, using an inclusive model whereby many of the attendees presented talks, sat on panels or performed. Thanks to Dr Christopher Sainsbury and Will Kepa for being the masterminds behind this fabulous and important weekend of culture, music and knowledge sharing - we are all the richer for experiencing it!

Jason, Ronan and I arrived late Friday morning after the opening night concert on Thursday and Nardi Simpson's keynote speech on Friday morning - by all accounts these were both glorious occasions. People seemed particularly struck by Nardi's words which, as we know all too well at Ensemble Offspring, tend to touch one at the core, make one think deeply and can even be life-changing. This keynote was one of those moments, it seems.

As we dashed into The Street Theatre foyer for a quick turnaround unload and set-up for our first concert in the early afternoon on Friday, we were welcomed by what felt like a big extended family of First Nations musicians and composers. It was such a warm and generous vibe - so many hugs and hello's shared in that moment, the yarns, catch-ups and important conversations ensued over the coming days, and what an inspirational time it was for all of us.

Ensemble Offspring's first concert featured works from the 2025 'All Stars' Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers cohort alongside some existing works from past participants for the same combination (clarinets, percussion and piano). We welcomed Ronan Apcar, our Hatched Emerging Performer, to the stage for the last time in that role for 2025 - he brought a unique skill for improvising, a general open mindedness and a deep sense of listening to Ngarra-Burria in 2025, and we thank him for his brilliant musicianship.

Partway through that show I hosted a panel featuring six deadly musicians, several of whom were part of the 2025 Ngarra-Burria cohort, others of whom were new friends to myself and Ensemble Offspring. They were Bunna Lawrie (Mirning Senior Elder and Whale Songman of the Yinyila Nation), our current First Nations Composer in Residence Mark Munk Ross (Jardwadjali/Wotjobulak), Shauntee Abdul Rahmen (Wiradjuri), Nicole Smede (Warrimay & Birrbay), Troy Russell (Biripai & Gamilaroi) and Davin Ojala (Anaiwan). As convener of this panel, it was my task to weave together the hugely diverse stories and experiences of the awe inspiring panel members, and I think it was an informative chat for the audience to witness as well. Following our show, hearing Yuin composer and long-time Ensemble Offspring Brenda Gifford present on her PhD research topic was also very enlightening. Amongst other colleagues and friends who presented, our very own Lamorna Nightingale also gave a talk on Backstage Music's First Nations Program with lots of impressive video content from recent shows alongside a strong First Nations led vision for the future - really impressive stuff!

Friday night saw a concert by guitarist Ken Murray, Ensemble 3 and Lyrebird Brass Ensemble featuring music by Dr Christopher Sainsbury and other past Ngarra-Burria composers including Nardi Simpson (Yuwaalaraay) and Rhyan Clapham aka Dobby (Murrawarri and Ngemba). It was great to hear these Melbourne musicians champion new First Nations art music and to be able to sit in the audience and take it all in.

The next keynote presentation was from New Zealand-based Samoan musician and composer Dr Opeloge Ah Sam. Focusing the one-hour informal presentation around his family, this was a heartfelt and touching insight into the challenges of Indigenous and often displaced peoples in their home country. Opeloge grew up in Samoa and moved to New Zealand when he was young, but he made the point that while people think First Nations understanding and championing is led by New Zealand, indeed it is Australia that is leading the way. For example, no event like The Gathering has ever happened in New Zealand - plus, there is no group like Ensemble Offspring in NZ that has championed First Nations art music so heavily. Indeed, Opeloge was inspired by his experience at The Gathering and when he returns to NZ, now wants to set up such a group!

And so, Saturday night saw the final concert, where Ensemble Offspring performed highlights from the last nine years of Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers, with a cameo from Opeloge and colleagues midway through. We took the opportunity to announce the fact that Ensemble Offspring will be stepping down as Ensemble in Residence for Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers in 2026 after 10 years of deep-seated commitment, investment, championing, relationship building and cultural immersion. The time is indeed ripe to officially pass on the baton and let the next generation take the program to its next stage - whatever that may be. It goes without saying that Ensemble Offspring will continue to champion First Nations voices with new projects and the continuation of our First Nations Composer in Residence position - all I can say for now is, watch this space!