Established in 1995 the Southern Cross Soloists quickly became one of Australia’s most respected
and successful chamber ensembles, establishing an international reputation for ground-breaking performance. The group’s unique combination of oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, piano and soprano allows a variety of music in many genres to be performed. Repertoire ranges from Baroque cantatas through the standard (and not so standard) classical and romantic compositions for winds and piano, to works combining voice and instruments, in
particular songs with instrumental obbligato.

The Soloists maintain a busy schedule performing, teaching, conducting masterclasses and recording. They tour nationally throughout the year, and highly successful international tours have been made to the United States, New Zealand, Canada and Korea. An established and demonstrated dedication to music education takes the ensemble throughout regional Queensland each year, giving private tuition, workshops and concerts. Their partnership with Major Player Enterprises in Rockhampton brings the growth and expansion of these programs every year and benefits thousands of regional students.

The Southern Cross Soloists have a strong commitment to commissioning and performing Australian music. The group released an all-Australian CD late 2004 featuring the music of Gordon Kerry, Paul Stanhope, Richard Mills, Steven Stanfield and Vincent Plush, amongst others. Other recordings available include LIVE (2002), NINA (2002), Russia (2000) and Concert Sampler (1998). They are currently Ensemble in Residence at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University.

The group features six of Australia’s leading musicians. Director and clarinettist Paul Dean and bassoonist Leesa Dean are former Principal players with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and now freelance throughout Australia. Tania Frazer was formerly the Principal Oboist of the Israel Symphony Orchestra, moving to Australia to play with the Soloists. Lyric soprano Margaret Schindler and horn player Peter Luff are lecturers at Griffith University’s Queensland Conservatorium whilst pianist Kevin Power pursues a freelance career and is Chorus Master of the Queensland Choir.