Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Event Details

An evening of brand new First Nations compositions. Ensemble Offspring’s First Nations Composer in Residence, James Henry unveils his multi-movement work Dreamscapes, an exploration into what can be recovered from dreams in the form of stories and melodies. Then be immersed in instrumental works from the 2024 Ngarra-Burria: First Peoples Composers cohort – Adam Manning (Awabakal/Worimi/Kamilaroi), Nicole Smede (Warrimay/Birribay), Gabriel Fromyhr, and Gary Watling (Wiradjuri). Join Ensemble Offspring with MCs Kaleena Smith (Ensemble Offspring's First Nations Director) and Mark 'Munk' Ross (Ensemble Offspring's 2025-26 First Nations Composer in Residence) to celebrate these important artistic voices and their stories. Ensemble Offspring performers are Claire Edwardes (Artistic Director, percussion), Sonya Holowell (voice), Jason Noble (clarinets), Lamorna Nightingale (flutes) and Rowena Macneish (cello).

Program

Gary Watling – Lotte’s Lullaby (2024) 3’

Nicole Smede – Djeera Gadhu (Ocean Stories) (2024) 4'

Will Kepa – Ailan Opping (2020) 4'

Brenda Gifford – Bardju (Footprints) (2017) 3.5'

Brenda Gifford – Plover Bird (Spring) (2018) 3.5'

Nardi Simpson – Of Stars and Birds (2020) 4'

Gabriel Fromyhr – Polyphony Afternoon (2024) 6'

Adam Manning – Music for Sticks and Vibes (2024) 2'

Adam Manning – Canvas (2024) 3'

James Henry - Dreamscapes (2023) 13

Further information for this event is available online at the event's website

Featured artists

• Performer Ensemble Offspring
• Music of Gary Watling
• Music of Nicole Smede
• Music of Will Kepa
• Music of Brenda Gifford
• Music of Nardi Simpson
• Music of Gabriel Fromyhr
• Music of Adam Manning
• Music of James Henry