Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Event Details

The Sounds of Australia festival is an exploration of how we create music that reflects this land, which has had its own musical heritage spanning tens of thousands of years. A land marked by sorrow and resilience, and a society shaped by the stories of First Nations peoples, immigrants, and displaced communities. This is the challenge faced by every Australian artist, composer, and performer. Through this series of concerts, we invite you to experience music that resonates with the spirit of Australia. The final concert of the festival, Sacred Sky, centres around Nigel Westlake’s String Quartet No. 3 Sacred Sky, a work that captures the ethereal beauty of the Australian sky and the spiritual depth it evokes. Another highlight is Kate Tempany’s Wimmera-Mallee, which reflects on the land’s ancient heritage and its contemporary resonance. The piece is brought to life in a remarkable collaboration with Adrian McNeil on the sarod, whose mastery of Hindustani music adds a rich cultural layer to Tempany’s portrayal of the Australian outback, creating a powerful and captivating dialogue between traditions.

Further information for this event is available online at the event's website or by phone on 9645 7911 or by email to info@anam.com.au

Featured artists

• Presented by Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM)
• Performer ANAM Musicians
• Performer Adrian McNeil
• Music of Mark Pollard
• Music of Christopher Sainsbury
• Music of Kate Tempany
• Music of Harry Sdraulig
• Music of Thomas Green
• Music of Nigel Westlake