Since its formation in 1995, Southern Cross Soloists has become one of Australia’s most successful and widely respected chamber ensembles, establishing an international reputation for ground-breaking performance along the way.
The members of the Soloists are a collection of highly respected and sought-after musicians: Tania Frazer (oboe), Paul Dean (clarinet), Peter Luff (horn), Kevin Power (piano) and Margaret Schindler (soprano). The group’s unique combination of instruments allows for the performance of a wide variety of repertoire.
They have undertaken successful international tours to the United States, New Zealand, China, Canada and South Korea. They tour nationally each year, often with guest artists, and are guests of events such as the Camden Haven Festival, the Brisbane Festival, the Queensland Music Festival, and the Townsville International Festival of Chamber Music.
The esteemed Bangalow Music Festival was established by the ensemble in 2002. The festival has been described by Peter Sculthorpe as the “the most exciting festival outside a capital city” and has attracted many distinguished guest artists including Ilya Konovalov (First Concertmaster of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra,Jack Liebeck, the Silver Garburg Piano Duo, the Australian String Quartet, Slava and Leonard Grigoryan, Genevieve Lacey and Brett Dean.
An established dedication to music education takes the ensemble throughout regional Queensland each year. 2006 witnessed the launch of the SunWater & Stanwell Winter Music School where students from across Queensland gathered for an intensive week of rehearsals, workshops and concerts. The enormous success of this event has led to its annual inclusion in the SxS calendar from 2008 and its recipience of the 2009 APRA Award for Most Outstanding Contribution to Music Education in Australia.
Southern Cross Soloists has a strong commitment to commissioning and performing Australian music and has commissioned works by composers including Paul Stanhope, Gerard Brophy, Gordon Kerry, Andrew Schultz and James Ledger.
Southern Cross Soloists is currently Company in Residence at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
Click here to view an introductory video of the Southern Cross Soloists.
