HEAR HER VOICE
Photography credit: Pia Johnson
Last year only 2.3% of compositions performed in classical concerts around the world were by women. In Australia only 9% of composers are women. (Find out more)
During our 20th anniversary year we are investing in the many exceptional voices missing from the chamber music canon with an initiative called HEAR HER VOICE. This initiative champions female composers, providing vital career opportunities for emerging through to established composers, and igniting a passion for their work within the industry and among audiences.
Until May 31st, Creative Partnerships Australia through their Plus1 program will match all donations up to $25,000 to help deliver this initiative. Any gift you give will have double the impact thanks to Creative Partnership’s Plus1 commitment.
There has never been a better time to give to FQ.
COMMISSIONS AND COLLABORATIONS
Deborah Cheetham AO (photography credit: Kristina Kingston).
Hear Her Voice will develop, perform and record three new Australian works by esteemed First Nation composer, Deborah Cheetham AO, Katy Abbott, and emerging composer Ella Macens.
The string quartet is one of the most telling genres for a composer and the quartet is passionate about giving these three extraordinary women the opportunity to craft the next stage of their respective compositional voices, culminating in multiple performances and national broadcast recordings to ensure their continued performance.
Katy Abbott (photography credit: Nicholas Purcell)
In collaboration with composer Katy Abbott and Canberra International Music Festival, FQ will premiere “Hidden Thoughts: Return to Sender”. This unique work is utterly of its time, and draws on elements of verbatim theatre with spoken word, song and visual elements. The project was inspired by the extraordinary number of letters sent by Australians to asylum seekers on Manus Island. The returned letters remained unopened until Katy was given permission by Julian Burnside AO QC to use them in a composition for FQ. The work is rich and complex, promising a unique offering in 2020.
Ella Macens was discovered during FQ's 2017 Composer Development Program and will become the 2020 FQ Emerging Composer in Residence. Ella’s work will be performed in the 2020 Composer Development Program concerts and within the FQ 2021 subscription season. This is a crucial step in Ella’s career.
COMPOSER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Now entering its fifth year, this program has proven incredibly successful in facilitating vital mentoring and promotion for emerging composers. In 2020, we are seeking out the best and brightest voices from a diverse array of composers.
We will support up to six emerging composers with professional development, mentoring, a live and streamed performance of their work. Two participants will be offered a residency, further mentoring and commissioning. Each participant receives a professional studio recording of their work and public promotion. In 2020, FQ will perform the final concert program in both Melbourne and Sydney to widen the audience for these new works and further ensure their longevity.
Ella Macens (photography credit: Darwin Gomez)
MENTORING
Deborah Cheetham AO is a significant role model for culturally diverse, and emerging composers, offering invaluable practical support, career advice and networking connections. Deborah will provide invaluable mentoring for Ella Macens during her commissioning and development process, as well as overseeing the 2020 Composer Development Program. Pairing Ella and Deborah will ensure a significant compositional leap forward for Ella and provide an inspiration for other emerging and aspiring composers.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Margaret Sutherland
Margaret Sutherland is considered the mother of modern Australian classical music and is one of the great musical vanguards. In recognition of the incredible contribution Margaret made to Australia’s musical landscape, FQ is undertaking the development of a new work to premier in 2021/22 which explores Margaret's life and compositions. Preliminary research will begin in 2020 at the Australian Music Centre in Sydney, working with Richard Piper as dramaturge and Deborah Cheetham AO, who will compose a song cycle about Margaret’s life and work.
We want to shape a vibrant musical future filled with an exceptional array of artists; remarkable artists, often missing from the canon. It’s time to celebrate, and we would love your help. There has never been a better time to maximise your support. We welcome any support you may be able to give.
Please join us in realising this exciting initiative.
Deborah Cheetham’s new work has been commissioned by Flinders Quartet with support from Andrew Dixon, in memory of Jean and John Dixon.
Ella Macen’s new work has been commissioned by Flinders Quartet with support from Peter and Leila Doyle.
Hear Her Voice is supported by Creative Partnerships Australia through Plus1.
Hear Her Voice is supported by the City of Melbourne Arts Grants Program