AVANT GARDENS A DUSK CHORUS
The Future sings at dusk. Ensemble Offspring’s next chapter of Songbirds goes intimate as part of Avant Gardens.
DETAILS
Saturday 19 June 3pm, Stanmore
Sunday 20 June 3pm, Alexandria
PROGRAM
ALICE CHANCE Crimson Rosella (2026)**
flute, clarinet, vibraphone
GEORGIA SCOTT Dance of the Storm Sentinel (2026)*
flute, percussion
HOLLIS TAYLOR 6 Miniatures (2026)*
flutes, clarinets, vibraphone
CAITLIN YEO A Tawny Tale (2025)
flute, bass clarinet, percussion
NARDI SIMPSON Of Stars and Birds (2020)
flute, clarinet, vibraphone
FELICITY WILCOX call and (a) response (2022, arr. 2026)**
flutes, clarinets, vibraphone
ALICE HUMPHRIES The Visitor (sorry, I can't stay) (2022)
flute, bass clarinet, percussion
HILARY KLEINIG Cockatoos (2027)*
* World Premiere
** Australian Premiere
Concert Duration: 70 minutes followed by complimentary drinks and canapes
LISTEN
PERFORMERS
Lamorna Nightingale (flutes)
Jason Noble (clarinets)
Claire Edwardes (Artistic Director, percussion)
DESCRIPTION
The Future Sings like a dusk chorus. Ensemble Offspring’s next chapter of Songbirds goes intimate as part of Avant Gardens.
Be transported into the Australian bush through the familiar sounds of nature’s own musicians, with a little help from Australia’s leading composers. Performed by Lamorna Nightingale (flutes), Jason Noble (clarinets) and Claire Edwardes (percussion), A Dusk Chorus captures the magical bird calls of the red centre, the liminal soundscape of dusk and dawn, and Indigenous musical perspectives on the beguiling creatures of the sky.
Featuring an all-female line-up of composers, A Dusk Chorus presents brand new works by Alice Chance, Felicity Wilcox, Georgia Scott and Hilary Kleinig - each bringing a unique and singular response to the avian world that surrounds us here in Australia.
From raucous calls and piercing cries to moments of tenderness and quiet wonder, these works transform birdsong into a vivid sonic landscape. This is living Australian music that listens closely to the world around us - intimate, surprising and alive.
Come listen differently. Revel in birdsong, in all its brilliant, wild and tender glory.
What can you expect from an Avant Gardens concert experience?
These social salon concerts take place in the lovely private homes of generous Ensemble Offspring supporters, so we only share the exact address with concert-goers the week of the event in our pre-concert information email. When you arrive you will be warmly welcomed by the Ensemble Offspring team. Throughout the concert you’ll learn more about the music as the musicians and composers share stories and background on the works. After the concert, we invite you to join the musicians, composers and our wonderful hosts for a chat, a glass or two of wine and a selection of delectables.
“A highly successful interspecies collaboration!”
“... beautifully intimate house concert… accompanied by friends catching up, and discussions of the delightfully eclectic program.”
“Words probably can’t describe adequately just how marvellous it was to enjoy an up-close soiree in the home setting, wrapped in music and art. And it gets even better with a program that is so well considered and delivered.”
“Audible breaths, micro head nods and laser focus kept the duo 100% aligned. It was a duet of formidable calibre, rewarded with audible appreciation from the audience.”
“The Avant Gardens series… is salon culture revived with new music at its heart.”
“There is no doubt Ensemble Offspring’s audience are now eagerly awaiting the next iteration of Avant Gardens.”
DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM
Accessibility Information
The Avant Gardens concerts take place in the private homes of some of Ensemble Offspring’s generous supporters. Some homes may have steps, limiting wheelchair access, but ambulant or mobility-restricted attendees can enter with extra time and assistance. If you have accessibility requirements, please reach out to the friendly Ensemble Offspring team by emailing admin@ensembleoffspring.com.
SUPPORTED BY
Ensemble Offspring is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW and is assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.
Thank you to our Avant Gardens hosts for their generous support of Ensemble Offspring.
Photo: Lamorna Nightingale by Keith Saunders
