Matt Hewson
Music at the Basilica’s Windfire Music Festival kicks off next month, showcasing the best classical music from Geelong and Melbourne.
The festival, now in its 15th year, will be held from October 4 to 13, with performances at the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels and six other concert venues around the city.
Windfire regularly shines a spotlight on local musicians and composers, and this year’s event is no exception.
Acclaimed Geelong pianists Sonoka Miyake and Regina Thomae will perform a series of piano duets, including original compositions and Stravinsky’s own arrangement of The Rite of Spring for four hands at St Joseph’s College Performing Arts Centre.
Renowned Geelong composer Michael Hannan’s Inspired By Nature will be brought to life by local musicians Nick Hewett (trumpet), Peter Neville (percussion), Vicki Hallett (clarinet) and Brighid Mantelli (flute) at All Saints’ Anglican Church in Newtown.
The festival will also include performances by Geelong ensembles the Sonus Quintet and Geelong String Quartet, as well as the Melbourne Conservatorium’s Glory of Brass and the Savoy Opera Company.
Music at the Basilica’s Jane Bashiruddin said the festival’s program gave people the chance to hear “something a little different”.
“It’s all about trying to bring some music to Geelong that is a little bit unusual… and also to give local performers the chance to perform here in their home town,” Ms Bashiruddin said.
The festival wraps up with Sing Joyfully, which will bring together North Children’s Choir, Voices of Geelong, Geelong Youth Choir and Christian College Combined Middle School Choirs.
“That last concert is not ticketed, it’s entry by donation, so you can come for free,” Ms Bashiruddin said.
“It’s really important to give these young kids a chance to sing and shine.”
Visit musicatthebasilica.org.au/music-festival for full program details.
