Ensemble Offspring
EVENTS
AVANT GARDENS SUMMER
28 February & 1 March, Glebe
A voice, a piano, an intimate salon setting in a private home… It could be Schubert, but add a percussionist and it’s Summer, Offspring style, in the Avant Gardens.
AVANT GARDENS AUTUMN
9 May, Woollahra
10 May, Hurlstone Park
Three iconic female composers at the heart of an intimate trio program. It’s Mother’s Day, Offspring style, with music we love in the Avant Gardens.
THE ORACLE
3 June, The Neilson ACO On The Pier
Consult the oracle and experience an ancient and charismatic vision of the future with Ensemble Offspring and friends.
REICH: REJOICE: REPEAT
12 September, The Neilson, ACO On The Pier
Ensemble Offspring celebrate Steve Reich’s 90th birthday with a joyous retrospective celebrating the hypnotic power of Reich’s signature rhythmic groove.
AVANT GARDENS SPRING
17 October, Tempe
18 October, Alexandria
25 October, Brisane
Spring is coming with a quirky, vibrant program featuring rising star trumpeter Arkie Moore. Listen in, Offspring style, in the Avant Gardens!
NGARRA-BURRIA GALA
28 October, Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC Ultimo Centre
To hear, to sing – a musical celebration of stories reflecting culture, country and connection from the 2026 Ngarra-Burria cohort and our First Nations Composer in Residence, Mark Munk Ross.
FUTURE CLASSICS 2026
21 November, Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House
A blossoming of voices from the next generation – discover the Future Classics of new Australian art music in this one-off Sydney Opera House showcase.
Australia’s Musical Trailblazers
Formed in 1995, Sydney-based Ensemble Offspring is “Australia’s leading new music ensemble” (ClassikON)
Led by Claire Edwardes OAM on percussion, the ensemble comprises Lamorna Nightingale (flutes), Jason Noble (clarinets), Véronique Serret (violin) and Blair Harris (cello), with Ronan Apcar (piano) as 2025 Emerging Performer.
EO commissions more brand-new pieces of music than any other Australian group, and champion marginalised voices including female-identifying, emerging, and First Nations artists
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"This is an ensemble of Australia’s finest musicians performing innovative, relevant and engaging new music that bursts with imagination, energy and inspiration.”
Seesaw Magazine
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“Here is EO at its most adventurous and its strongest, with sharply-refined performing chops to follow through on its ambitious programmatic swing.”
Limelight
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“Ensemble Offspring deserves its reputation…they perform with joy, enthusiasm and great skill.”
ClassikON
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"This program was notable for its energy and variety as much as for its neat new devices."
Sydney Morning Herald
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"...the quiet achiever on the Australian musical landscape… It deserves our strong support."
Sydney Arts Guide
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"Ensemble Offspring's micro-festival was a tribute to the transformative power of living new music, and sent the audience home grinning."
Limelight
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“Claire’s animated introductions…delight the audience, who then sit spellbound…delighted by the virtuosity and the flawless synchronicity.”
ClassikON
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"The experience is totally immersive yet gently, rather than boldly, persuasive."
The Adelaide Advertiser
