New ensemble launches Windfire

Geelong Chamber Orchestra will open the Windfire Music Festival at St Mary of the Angels Basilica.(Ivan Kemp) 362963_06

Music fans will have the chance to hear from the finest classical musicians Geelong and Australia has to offer when Music at the Basilica presents the 14th annual Windfire Music Festival.

Running from October 6 to 15, Windfire consists of a series of concerts at the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels and other Geelong venues, as well as free lunchtime concerts in Queenscliff, Drysdale, Point Lonsdale, Torquay, Barwon Heads.

The festival will open with a concert at the Basilica by the Geelong Chamber Orchestra, which was formed by Geelong violinist Jamie Parker in the past year, and will also feature soloists Lee Abrahmsen (soprano) and Joy Lee (harpsichord).

Other featured local artists include acclaimed lutenist Rosemary Hodgson, accompanied by vocalists Helena Ekins and Vivien Hamilton, and string group Trio Stellar, who will be joined by 16-year-old Christian College student and winner of the 2022 Australian Youth Classical Music Competition, clarinettist Emily Treloar.

Visiting artists include the Melbourne Women’s Choir, Melbourne Conservatorium’s Lyrebird Brass Ensemble and the Excelsis Choir.

Music at the Basilica spokesperson Jane Bashiruddin said the festival has always served as a way to bring local, national and international performers together

“One of the functions (of Windfire) is to give local performers a chance to perform in front of their families and friends in Geelong,” Ms Bashiruddin said.

“The other aspect is, they get a chance to work with well-known and seasoned performers who’ve either got a national or an international reputation. So it gives people a chance to work with each other and learn from each other.”

Full details on the Windfire Music Festival are available at musicatthebasilica.org.au or visit trybooking.com.au for tickets.