2 March

Cyrus Meurant

(composer performing his own works)

Prelude for Organ (2009)

Two Interludes for Solo Violin (2009)

Three Night Pieces for Solo Piano (2009)

Souvenir for Organ (2010)

Cyrus Meurant (b.1982) studied composition and violin at the Conservatorium of Music University of Sydney, completing Honours Class I (2003) and a Master of Music in Composition (2006), winning both the Frank Albert Prize for Music (2002) and also the Sarah Theresa Makinson Prize for Composition (2003).

His teachers have included Anne Boyd, Ross Edwards, Brett Dean, Martin Bresnick, Matthew Hindson, and Richard Meale. A Churchill Fellowship (2006-7) enabled Meurant to attend studies with Simon Bainbridge (Royal Academy of Music, London), Frédéric Durieux (Conservatoire de Paris) and Martijn Padding (Koninklijk Conservatorium Den Haag). In 2004 he was awarded the NIDA/AYO composition fellowship completing the score for Stephen Jeffrey's The Clink, directed by Helmut Bakaitis.

He has completed works for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Martyn Brabbins), The Australian Ballet, The National Institute of Dramatic Art, Sonic Art Ensemble, Orchestra Victoria (conducted by Richard Mills), Sydney Symphony String Fellows, the Darwin International Guitar Festival, Australian Youth Orchestra and Symphony Australia Composition Programs.

Meurant's music has been performed at the World Shakuhachi Festival, the Aurora Festival, the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, Tufts University, Melbourne University, Monash University and the Australian National University as well as being set to new choreography at the Theatre Basel, Switzerland, The Place, London and The Sydney Theatre. His work has been broadcast on Radio Polskie and ABC Classic FM. He has completed works for Marshall McGuire, Riley Lee, Claire Edwardes, Bernadette Harvey, Jessica Azsodi, Andrew Smith and Zubin Kanga.

Recent projects include the creation of a music picture book Poems for Piotr – a collaboration with artist Lang Leav and singer Angela Little, Triptych for the Plec Sextet in Amsterdam and a new work for choreographer Corey Baker. In 2011 Cyrus performed solo recitals of his work at the Stone Gallery in Sydney and the Wollongong City Gallery.

9 March

Nexas Saxophone Quartet

Michael Duke (Soprano saxophone)
Andrew Smith (Alto saxophone)
Nathan Henshaw (Tenor saxophone)
Jay Brynes (Baritone saxophone)

Sevilla - Isaac Albéniz (1860 - 1909)

Prelude, Fugue et Variation Op. 18 - César Franck (1822 - 1890)

Quatuor - Pierre Max Dubois (1930 - 1995)

(i) Overture (ii) Deloroso (iii) Spirituoso (iv) Andante

Three Preludes - George Gershwin (1898 - 1937)

(i) Allegro ben ritmaco e deciso
(ii) Andante con moto e poco rubato
(iii) Allegro ben ritmaco e deciso

Ceilidh - Gavin Whitlock

The Nexas Saxophone Quartet was formed in 2002 and since it's formation has been active in supporting new Australian music, providing young and established composers with an outlet for their compositions to be work-shopped and performed. In recognition of their work, in 2003 Nexas was awarded the Wal Hardwick Memorial Scholarship for excellence in chamber music by the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Association. Since their formation Nexas has performed a large variety of repertoire in multiple settings. The quartet has collaborated with theatre companies, premiered countless new works, performed internationally and received awards and grants in recognition of their pursuits. 2012 launches an exciting new era for the ensemble with Michael Duke (Chair of Saxophone at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music) joining Jay Byrnes, Nathan Henshaw and Andrew Smith. Their 2012 programme will look at exciting new collaborations, international performances and an exploration of new and interesting repertoire.

For booking contact details:
email - asmithsax@gmail.com
phone - 0421216579

16 March

Nathan Henshaw
(soprano & tenor saxophone)

Lindsay Gilroy (piano)

Suite española (Spanish Suite) Op. 47  - Issac Albéniz (1860 - 1909)
(arr. Jean-Denis Michat) for soprano sax and piano

Granada
Cataluna
Sevilla
Cordoba
Asturias

Trepanning Sonata  - Martin Kay
for tenor sax & piano

Voyages  - Charlotte Harding (1989 - )
for soprano sax & piano
i - Open Waters
ii - Too Far From Home
iii - Time To Turn

Nathan Henshaw is a renowned Australian saxophonist who is known for his musical diversity. He studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and completed both a Bachelor of Music (Honours) and Masters of Music Performance. As a soloist, Nathan has given performance both in Australia and internationally including a concert tour around Hokkaido (Japan) which he received an Australian Federal Music Award for services as a cultural ambassador. Other solo performance highlights include live-to-air recitals on 2MBS FM, 2011 Australasian Saxophone and Clarinet Festival in Melbourne and the Art on the Rocks Festival.

Nathan's work as a freelance musician given him the opportunity to work with a diverse range of renowned performers and ensembles (both Australian and international) such as Tim Minchin, Kenny Rogers, Randy Newman, The Chaser, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Victoria Opera, Sydney Theatre Company, Richard Gill, Eddie Perfect, NSW Police Band, George Dreyfus, Rhonda Burchmore, Todd McKenney, WIN Wollongong Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Conservatorium Saxophone Quartet, Compass, Carlotta Centanni, Rivers and Roads and SBS Television and Radio Orchestra. In conjunction with his freelance work, Nathan is also is a full time member of the Nexas Quartet, The Music of MA, Sax Summit and Swing Dogs.

In July this year, Nathan will be performing at the World Saxophone Congress in St Andrews, Scotland with Sydney Saxophone Collective and Nexas Quartet. He will also be giving a world premiere of Brian Howard's new work for saxophone, Voyages, performing alongside Andrew Smith, James Nightingale, Nicholas Russeniello, Christina Leonard, Michael Duke and Claude Delangle.

In conjunction with his work as performer, Nathan is also actively conducting, teaching and tutoring in schools around the Sydney area. He is also lecturing in saxophone at the Open Academy and Foundation Program at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

23 March

Colin Noble (piano)

Goldberg Variations - J S Bach (1685 - 1750)

Aria

Variations 1 - 30

Aria reprise

Colin studied with Isobel Grigor during school years, and then with two legendary pianists: Pamela Page, and Larry Sitsky. He holds Honours and Masters Degrees in Performance. Colin's concert repertoire has included the complete Messiaen Vingt Regard sur l'enfant Jesus ("a tour de force"), Rachmaninov's epic 1st Piano Sonata ("formidable"), and the J.S. Bach Goldberg Variations ("an oasis of calm"). He has premiered new works by both established and emerging composers. He has performed in many Australian centres as Soloist, Recitalist, Chamber Musician (most often with his brother Alistair as an acclaimed piano duo), and has given many national radio broadcasts for the ABC. Colin has released a CD of rarely heard virtuoso works by Constant Lambert, Alberto Ginastera and others, entitled Sharagan. A studio version of the Goldbergs recorded in 2010 is in release on Centaur Records, USA. Colin is following this release with an all-Debussy CD which is in post-production, and due for release in 2012.

30 March

Peter Guy (organ)

Toccata and Fugue in D minor  - JS Bach (1685 - 1750)

Chorale Prelude Herzlich tut mich verlangen - JS Bach (1685 - 1750)

From A Little Organ Book in memory of Hubert Parry
Tranquilly  - C. Hubert. H. Parry (1848 - 1918)
Andantino  - Harold E. Darke (1888 - 1976)

Elegy - George Thalben-Ball (1896 - 1987)

Prelude on Rhosymedre  - Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872 - 1958)

Two Pieces  - Samuel Wesley (1766 - 1837)
Air
Gavotte

Gavotte  - Matthew Camidge (1758–1844)

Flute Piece  - William Hine (1687 - 1730)

Les Cloches de Hinckley  - Louis Vierne (1870 - 1937)

Peter Guy is Organist and Master of the Choristers at Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle. Appointed at the age of 26, he is the youngest person to hold this position. Prior to this, Peter was Director of Music at St Stephen's Uniting Church, Macquarie St, Sydney and the inaugural Director of Chapel Music at St Andrew's College, University of Sydney.

Peter studied for his Bachelor of Music at the University of Newcastle, majoring in Pipe Organ and Choral Conducting under Dr Philip Matthias. He graduated with First Class Honours and received the University Medal. He was the recipient of many awards while studying, including the Michael Dudman Scholarship, Newton John Prize for the most outstanding graduate, Vice Chancellor's Honours Scholarship and an Australian Postgraduate Award.

In 2003, Peter performed in the national keyboard final of the Symphony Australia Young Performer's Award, performing Poulenc's Concerto for Organ and Strings with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Peter has also appeared with the Canberra Youth Orchestra for numerous concerto performances, and has performed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

In 2009, Peter released his first solo recording of organ works, Organ Classics From Newcastle Cathedral. He also appears on a recent recording by the Organ Historical Trust of Australia, Vintage Sounds Alive: Historic Organs of NSW and as an accompanist on recordings by the University of Newcastle Chamber Choir and Christ Church Cathedral Choir. He has been broadcast on many radio stations, both locally and internationally, including a Sunday Live performance for ABC Classic FM from the Harold Lobb Concert Hall at The Conservatorium, Newcastle.

Peter enjoys an active recital schedule, performing around Australia and internationally. He has toured to the UK, France, South Korea and the USA, performing at venues including St Paul's Cathedral, Southwark Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, London, and Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris. He performed the opening recital of the Organ Historical Society's 2010 Annual Convention in Pittsburgh.