Anne Richardson is a versatile vocal artist and has performed on stage across Sydney. On her musical journey, she has exercised her rich, natural voice through a range of styles - from the simple joys of family and church gatherings, the raw energy of fronting a rock'n'roll cover band, through to opera and music theatre, where she advanced her technical skills and stagecraft discipline. She continues to maintain a diverse repertoire, stretching from Wagner arias to original vocal electronica. Anne made her debut at St Stephens in 2024, presenting a well-received programme of French songs on the theme of love in all its manifestations. This performance has been the focus of preparations for many months, and some of that journey has been documented by Anne's vocal coach and singing teacher, Kathleen Connell: https://kathleenconnell.com.au/why-you-need-to-work-up-to-singing-thesongs-you-love

Alison Cameron has over 35 years of experience as a freelance pianist, accompanist and harpsichordist in Australia and Europe. She has worked extensively as an Associate Artist for recordings, broadcasts, recitals, examinations, and national and international competitions. Her many roles also include opera répétiteur, choral and instrumental conductor, director and rehearsal pianist for musicals, and an eisteddfod adjudicator. For over 30 years, she has taught Piano and Musicianship at Ascham School. She teaches piano and musicianship, both in the classroom and in her private studio, to students of all ages and levels.

James Hillier is a woodwind specialist, studying flute at the Sydney Conservatorium under Mr James Kortum. He has won numerous competitions including the Open Classical Woodwind Solo Section at the Ryde Eisteddfod, and also received an HSC Encore nomination. He is a member of the Sydney Youth Orchestra Philharmonic and Strathfield Symphony Orchestra (playing flute and piccolo).

The Programme

1. "Lascia ch'io pianga" (Let me weep) by George Frideric Handel is a distinguished Baroque aria. It gives voice to a captive woman's sorrow and longing for freedom, blending her strength, vulnerability and resilience.

2. "Il mio bel foco" (My fire of love) by Benedetto Marcello is a baroque piece that speaks, metaphorically, of a burning flame of passion that will never be extinguished. This is a love that remains constant and unwavering.

3. "Ständchen" (Serenade), from Franz Schubert's, celebrated Schwanengesang song cycle, is a tender plea - a hearƞelt serenade of longing, devoƟon, and desire, unfolding in the stillness of a calm, moonlit night.

4. "Soir Païen" (Pagan Evening) was composed by Philippe Gaubert, based on Albert Samain's poem. It is a lush, atmospheric art song that imagines a peaceful mystical evening, evoking a sense of calmness and reflection as night falls.

5. "Ich liebe dich" (I Love You) by Edvard Grieg is a heartfelt romantic song declaring deep, unwavering devotion and expressing the enduring strength and sincerity of true love.

6. "Morceau de Concours" (Competition Piece) by Gabriel Fauré is here arranged for flute and piano. It was composed for use as a sight-reading examination piece at the Conservatoire de Paris. The focus is beyond the technical, favouring elegance and expressive phrasing, as the soloist and accompaniment engage in harmonic interplay.

7. "Morgen" (Tomorrow) by Richard Strauss, is a gentle, serene love song of hope and love await the dawning sun, uniting two souls in silent, blissful togetherness.

8. "Je te veux" (I want you) by Erik Satie, is an uplifting, romantic waltz that expresses playfulness and shared joy.

9. "Portrait" by Cécile Chaminade is a graceful and gentle waltz (valse chantée) that conjures memories of a beautiful, distant muse. It expresses tender nostalgia and unfulfilled longing.

Summary

These classical pieces form a rich emotional tapestry, each capturing a unique facet of the human experience. Handel's Lascia ch'io pianga mourns captivity with aching grace, while Marcello's Il mio bel foco burns with eternal passion. Schubert's Ständchen serenades the night with tender longing, and Gaubert's Soir Païen paints a tranquil, mystical dusk. Fauré's Morceau de Concours, included here to allow the flute's lyrical energy to take centre stage, shows refined elegance through harmonic interplay. Grieg's Ich liebe dich affirms love's enduring strength, Strauss's Morgen dreams of a sunrise where two hearts meet in bliss. Satie's Je te veux waltzes with playful desire, and Chaminade's Portrait evokes wishful longing for a distant muse.

Each piece, distinct yet united, weaves a narrative of love, loss, hope, and beauty - an eternal symphony of the human experience.

Dr Jihyeon Lim is a Sydney-based pianist, actively performing on concert stages across Australia and East Asia. Specialising in contemporary piano music, she focuses on works composed in East Asian countries—including Korea, China, and Japan—as well as Australia. Frequently premiering new works in both regions, she continues to develop and share her distinctive artistic voice.

Originally from South Korea, Lim earned her Bachelor of Music from Hanyang University in Seoul before relocating to Sydney in 2010. She completed her Master's degree in 2012 and her Doctor of Musical Arts in 2019 at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. During her graduate studies, she received numerous scholarships, including the Queen Victoria Club Scholarship and the Albert Scholarship. She also performed extensively as a soloist and collaborated with ensembles such as the Conservatorium's Modern Music Ensemble and Wind Symphony Orchestra.

In 2014, Lim recorded works by emerging Australian composers, including Peter McNamara (b. 1980) and Brad Gill (b. 1976), for the inaugural Sideband CD. She also recorded duet works by James Madsen in 2015. Since then, she has remained actively engaged in the performance and recording of new Australian compositions. Most recently, in February 2025, she recorded Sunsetting Shadows for two pianos and percussion by Dr. Peter McNamara.

Lim has been continuously exploring and performing a wide range of East Asian contemporary piano works alongside a diverse selection of Australian music. In June 2025, she was invited to perform at St Mary's, Ballina, presented by the Music Estuary, where she gave a 90-minute solo recital featuring piano works by East Asian and Australian composers. In September, she gave the Australian premiere of two-piano works by South Korean composers, performing alongside Dr. Enjung Byun at the Sydney Conservatorium as part of the Staff Recital and Chamber Music Series.

Dedicated to her role as a cultural ambassador, Lim strives to pioneer musical innovation across international borders—introducing East Asian music to Australian audiences and bringing Australian music to East Asia. She continues to expand her artistic activities and collaborations in both regions, bridging cultures through contemporary music.

The NSW Police Band is Australia's oldest and longest continuously running concert band. Formed in 1895, in 2025 the band will commemorate 130 years of dedicated service. Regarded as "The State Band of NSW" it is one of only two full-time police bands in existence in the country.

Co-ordinated by Senior Sergeant Daniel Mitchell and Director of Music John Saunders, this permanent, full-time unit of the NSW Police Force is comprised of thirty-three high-calibre, professional musicians that perform together as a Concert Band or Parade Band, according to the occasion. The NSW Police band provides high-profile public relations support to the NSW Police, to State and Federal Governments, and to communities of NSW, forging stronger links between the Police and the people of New South Wales.

Each year the NSW Police Band fulfils over 230 engagements, providing quality music for State Government, NSW Police, community, and charity events. The band also performs formal indoor concerts and recitals, at outdoor events and street parades, as well as concerts and workshops for students during school visits. The band has appeared at numerous prestigious ceremonies, including 'Ticker Tape' parades for Australian sporting teams and for Commonwealth and Olympic athletes, and has also performed for royalty, heads of state, prime ministers and presidents. The Parade Band functions as a marching band for ceremonial events throughout the year, including police graduations and award ceremonies, State Government protocol events, Anzac Day and Remembrance Day.

Boasting great musical diversity, the members of the NSW Police Band also perform in various smaller formations drawn from the full complement of the Concert Band. These versatile groups include the Big Band, Rock Band, Jazz Trio, Jazz Combo, the Dixieland or the Ragtime Combo, as well as the Trombone Quartet, and a number of Quintets including the Wind Quintet, the Clarinet Quintet, and the Brass Quintet. In addition to this, the band's highly skilled members often feature in duos and as soloists.

Meet the dynamic and innovative Sydney Conservatorium Saxophone Orchestra, a collective of Australia's finest student saxophonists dedicated to pushing the boundaries of musical expression. Formed from auditions held annually, this esteemed ensemble attracts talent from various academic paths, including Bachelor of Music Performance, Bachelor of Music Education, as well as Masters and Doctoral programs.

Renowned for its diverse repertoire, the orchestra seamlessly blends original compositions with timeless transcriptions, captivating audiences with their rich sound and dynamic performances. Not content with merely interpreting existing works, the ensemble actively collaborates with local and international composers, contributing to the evolution of the saxophone orchestra genre.

An advocate for emerging composers, the orchestra fosters creativity within the student community, regularly workshopping and premiering new compositions each semester. Their dedication to nurturing new repertoire has led to collaborations with leading Australian composers such as Matthew Hindson, Matthew Orlovich, Natalie Williams, Michael Smetanin, and Brenton Broadstock, showcasing the vibrancy and innovation of contemporary Australian music.

With a commitment to excellence and a passion for musical exploration, the Sydney Conservatorium Saxophone Orchestra continues to inspire and delight audiences, shaping the future of saxophone ensemble performance.

Bailey Yeates completed his studies at St Patrick's College, Strathfield in 2023. He was the Brother McGlade Organ Scholar for many years, which involved playing for all school masses and chapel services. As well as this he was the Performing Arts Captain for 2023. Following schooling education, Bailey achieved very high results in both Music 2 and Extension, among other subjects, receiving a nomination for Encore. As well as this, he was awarded a distinction in his organ Licentiate diploma recital examination from the Trinity College of London.

He has performed and won prizes in a number of Sydney Organ Competitions and Young Organists' Days and has also recently performed with the Sydney Youth Orchestra for various concerts. More recently, he is the two-time winner of the intermediate section of the Sydney Organ Competition, winning first prize in 2023 and 2024. As well as this, Bailey regularly performs in various recital series around Sydney and is a committee member of the Organ Music Society of Sydney

Earlier this year, Bailey partook in an international tour as both the organ scholar and chorister with the choir of St Paul's College, performing and singing services in Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral London, Canterbury Cathedral and York Minster, as well as churches in Paris, including St Sulpice, St Eustache, and La Madeleine.

As well as this, Bailey has participated in various organ masterclasses with several high-profile organists include Anne Marsden Thomas, Thomas Ospital and Thomas Trotter, amongst others.