Revealed: Music in the Regions led by Acacia Quartet to start touring Southern Tablelands

An independent touring company has brought music to the ears of the Southern Tablelands with the launch of a new program to connect classical musicians with regional audiences.

Now that live music is slowly making a much-appreciated comeback after a Covid-induced hiatus, an independent touring company has excitedly announced a new program in the Southern Tablelands.

Music in the Regions is looking to bring classical musicians to regional audiences in Goulburn, Gunning, Braidwood, Young, Temora and Cowra.

Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin said: “The NSW Government is supporting more classical music performances to hit the road through the Music in the Regions initiative.”

This first series of performances will be led by Australia’s dynamic ensemble, Acacia Quartet, founded in 2010 by violinists Lisa Stewart and Myee Clohessy, violist Stefan Duwe, and cellist Anna Martin-Scrase.

Main performers in this first Music in the Regions tour starting in March. Picture: Little Image Co

The ensemble will present a program that combines work by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Alexander Borodin along with the sought-after young Australian composer Alice Chance.

The quartet will also take part in workshops and professional development sessions to stimulate regional creativity.

CEO Jacqui Smith of the Hume Conservatorium in Goulburn, which will be holding the opening of the tour, spoke of her excitement about the performances and workshops for regional children.

Jacqui Smith, CEO of the Hume Conservatorium in Goulburn.

“Hume Conservatorium is very excited to be welcoming new partner organisation Music in the Regions and the amazing Acacia Quartet as our artist in residence for the first week in March,” Ms Smith said.

“We value every opportunity for our students and community to experience high quality music in our region.”

Students at the Hume Conservatorium will be able to have a “trial” lesson through workshops hosted by the quartet with string instruments, beat-boxing and more.

The Hume Conservatorium holding a fun lesson for children in Goulburn.

“It’s an opportunity for our students to sit in and see how live rehearsals happen and have a go,” Ms Smith said.

“Thanks to kind donations, we have many violins and cellos that are available for hire, and these workshops will allow children to try them, particularly if they couldn’t afford one or have never seen one before.”

Music in the Regions Executive Director Janine Collins is hoping to leave a legacy with this program, which will be repeated for the next three years.

Executive Director of Music in the Regions, Janine Collins.

“This is the beginning of our long-term partnerships with regional communities in NSW. We’re using music to build connections that endure well into the future,” Ms Collins said.

“For this first program, it’s been wonderful working with community volunteers and learning about the passion that already exists for classical music.”

Former cellist for the Australian String Quartet and local of Braidwood, Rachel Johnston, is thrilled to be involved in such a program as a special guest.

Cellist and Braidwood local Rachel Johnston performing at one of her shows.

“It’s been a pretty lean year in terms of performance opportunities for musicians so its nice to be getting up on the stage again performing at such a great level,” Ms Johnston said.

“There are so many classical music performers and lovers in the rural areas, that often have to travel into the cities to get their fix.

“And therefore it’s great to be part of these performances in places that would otherwise probably miss out for longer.”

Ms Johnston spoke of the struggle musicians have been facing during Covid, which programs like these aims to help out with.

“I think it has to be said that while there’s always opportunities, things have been hard for people, especially for young musicians, having to really search out those opportunities proactively or create them themselves,” Ms Johnston said.

“It creates an extra challenge for young people and early career players.”

Ms Johnston spoke of the importance to “see live music happen” for audiences.

“Music is a living art form and while you can of course watch and listen to things online even if its live, its just not the same as being in the room with performers and sharing that experience with people in the same space,” Ms Johnston said.

“I think its really important that those things start to happen again.”

Ms Johnston together with her partner Trent have been doing local house concerts as Two If By Sea, which is something they hope to continue.

“There’s lots of eager ears in Majors Creek Braidwood and the vibe has been amazing because people are so hungry for that experience,” Ms Johnston said.

Acacia Quartet performing in 2021. Picture: Little Image Co

The inaugural Music in the Regions tour will encompass:

March 2 – Hume Conservatorium, Goulburn (opening of the Hume Conservatorium Creative Precinct)

March 4 – Old Courthouse, Gunning

March 5 – Hume Conservatorium, Goulburn (open day)

March 6 – National Theatre, Braidwood

March 8 – Young Regional Conservatorium (string development day)

March 9 – Southern Cross Cinema, Young (launch of the Off the Beaten Path Cultural Trail)

March 10 – Platform Y, Railway Precinct, Temora

March 11 – Cowra Civic Centre, Cowra.

Details of its second program will be announced in the coming weeks, which spreads into different parts of NSW.