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Southern Cross Soloists respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians & First Nation owners of the land on which we work. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We also recognise those whose ongoing effort to protect and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures will leave a lasting legacy for future Elders and leaders.
Southern Cross Soloists is committed to cultivating a 21st century musical ecosystem that explores cultural responsiveness and expression through commissioning and performing works of Australian composers, whilst providing audiences with a broader menu of cultural offerings.
One aspect of this commitment is nurturing First Nation's representation in our arts practices to promote cultural understanding. Our renewed focus for 2022-2032 is to respond to this commitment by creating the SXS Didgeridoo Commissioning Project' a legacy of new Australian works for didgeridoo and small ensemble with our Artist in Residence, Wakka Wakka didgeridoo soloist Chris Williams.
Having appointed Chris as our permanent Artist in Residence in late 2019, SXS is excited to be evolving into a completely new artistic space to create our own unique hybrid music. Chris is unique as a musician as he has worked extensively as a professional trumpet player in the customary classical music space, from orchestra to solo, including with leading orchestras in London, Europe and across Australia, and in the jazz genre. SXS is committed to to establishing a valuable legacy of new works for didgeridoo over the next 10 years, with the aim to create a substantial new canon of works by the time Brisbane takes to the world stage with the 2032 Olympics.
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Didgeridoo Commissioning Project Executive Advisory Committee
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Chair & Creative Director
Chris Williams
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Cultural Advisor & Mentor
Uncle Kevin Williams (Wakka Wakka / Gunggari Elder)
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International Ambassador
Sean O'Boyle AM
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Artistic Director
Tania Frazer
PRESS
+ ABC TV NEWS BREAKFAST
+ CHANNEL 10 NEWS
+ NATIONAL INDIGENOUS TELEVISION (NITV)
+ 4MBS CLASSIC FM 103.7
Southern Cross Soloists Artistic Director Tania Frazer (oboe) and 2022 Artist in Residence Chris Williams (didgeridoo) discuss the SXS Didgeridoo Commissioning Project with Peter McCahon on 4MBS Classic FM 103.7.
+ LIMELIGHT MAGAZINE
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Southern Cross Soloists is creating a new canon of works for didgeridoo
Ahead of the SXS 2022 season launch, Tania Frazer and Chris Williams talk about commissioning works for didgeridoo and chamber ensemble, and teaching composers how to write for the instrument.
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by Hugh Robertson on 11 February, 2022
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+ ABC RADIO NATIONAL
Chris Williams, didgeridoo artist in residence, Southern Cross Soloists
Tania Frazer, oboist and Creative Director, Southern Cross Soloists
Sean O' Boyle, composer discuss the SXS Didgeridoo Commissioning Project with On RN Breakfast with Patricia Karvelas.
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22 February, 2022
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+ ABC RADIO EVENINGS
Composer Sean O’Boyle interview with Kelly Higgins Devine for ABC Radio Evenings.
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10 February, 2022
+ Q Weekend
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'Ridgy didge'
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Phil Brown talks to Chris Williams and Tania Frazer about the Didgeridoo Commissioning Project.
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Brown highlights the process of the writing is not being an 'afterthought', it's a core part of the composition process from the beginning.
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by Phil Brown on 4 June, 2022
+ LIMELIGHT MAGAZINE
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World Premiere: Leah Curtis's The Ground
Leah Curtis tells us about her new work The Ground in preparation for the upcoming concert 'A Moment in Time'.
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by Leah Curtis on 8 June, 2022
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+ THE AUSTRALIAN
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Spotlight on Leah Curtis
Leah Curtis has her say on the process of writing for the concert 'A Moment in Time'.
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by Bridget Cormack on 10 June, 2022
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+ CUTCOMMON
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You can now learn how to compose for didgeridoo!
Didgeridoo player Chris Williams talks about the world-first series!
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by Stephanie Eslake on 2 August, 2022
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+ Weekend Notes - Melbourne
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Southern Cross Soloists - Maps and Journeys
Maps and Journeys: The World's First Astronomers tours to Sunshine Coast for a school show with 276 school students. After this, the production flew down to Melbourne for a performance as well.
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Read the review from the Melbourne show below!
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by Weekend Notes on 8 February, 2023
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+ MEDIA RELEASE
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Free online composer's workshop series for the Didgeridoo
A YouTube series in which composers can learn more about composing for the didgeridoo.
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by SXS on 25 July, 2022
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+ QPAC
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How to write for the didgeridoo
Wakka Wakka decendant, Chris Williams, talks about writing for the didgeridoo in a workshop hosted at QPAC for young composers. ​
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This project is part of the Education strand (Tier 2) of the DCP.
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by QPAC on 28th September, 2022
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+ Annoucement: Wakka Wakka Soprano joins SXS
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Margaret Schindler Vocal Scholarship 2023
Nina Korbe
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INTRODUCING
CHRIS WILLIAMS, DIDGERIDOO
SXS ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
Kay Feeney & Christine Dauber Chair
A descendant of the Wakka Wakka people from Queensland, Australia, Didgeridoo player Chris Williams, began his music studies from an early age. He studied Classical Trumpet at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and also earned a Masters degree in Classical Trumpet Performance at the Royal College of Music in London.
Chris has appeared as guest principal trumpet with the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and the Queensland Pops Orchestra and the Australian Youth Orchestra. He was nominated for the Australian Freedman Fellowship Award for Jazz and for the Australian Young
Achiever Award twice. Currently Artist in Residence with the Southern Cross Soloists, Chris is regarded as one of Australia’s leading Didgeridoo soloists. As a Didgeridoo soloist, Chris has performed extensively throughout Africa and Europe.
Solo Didgeridoo performance highlights include Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Israel, the Vatican and Didgeridoo Concerto with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. From 2022, in partnership with the Southern Cross Soloists, Chris has embarked on an ambitious project to collaborate with established composers to commission 3 new works for didgeridoo and classical music ensemble every year for the next 10 years.
A number of works so far in the “Didgeridoo Commissioning Project” have been nominated for APRA AMCOS Awards. Current and previous composers include Sean O’Boyle, John Rotar, Leah Curtis, Joe Twist, Matthew Dewey, and James Morrison.
He lives on the beautiful Sunshine Coast/Gubbi Gubbi country with his family.
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INTRODUCING
CHRIS WILLIAMS, DIDGERIDOO
SXS ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
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Chair Sponsor:
Michelle May, Kay Feeney & Christine Dauber
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Photo: Giselle Images
COMPOSER WORKSHOPS &
EDUCATION RESOURCES
+ Chris Williams
+ Sean O'Boyle
+ Southern Cross Soloists
Currently, SXS are developing a digital guide for composers writing for didgeridoo, developed in collaboration with Chris Williams, composer
Sean O'Boyle and Southern Cross Soloists.
Through the collaborative nature of the SXS Didgeridoo Commissioning Project, we are aiming to encourage more composers to write works for didgeridoo. As such, throughout the creative process, SXS will host open workshops for composers to offer insights into the use of the didgeridoo, and all new works will be performed extensively as part of SXS touring programs.
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The SXS Didgeridoo Commissioning Project greatly enhances SXS's scope to make a tangible contribution to the Australian art music canon, through promoting cross cultural genres in chamber music. The outcomes of the project will include increased cultural learnings across broad generational demographics which provide unique experiences for both audiences and the artists.
Photos: Maxine Williamson
SXS TALKS:
CHRIS WILLIAMS AND
SEAN O'BOYLE
SXS sits down with composer Sean O’Boyle and Artist In Residence Chris Williams to discuss the Concerto for Didgeridoo by Sean O’Boyle/William Barton.
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The innovative combination of the didgeridoo–an ancient musical voice of Indigenous Australia–with the traditional European classical orchestra has become somewhat of an iconic medium. Born out of a collaboration between maestro William Barton and the composer, the Concerto for Didgeridoo by Sean O’Boyle and William Barton sits among a body of wonderfully unconventional compositions by leading Australian composers. After its conception, O’Boyle’s concerto soon earned a permanent place in the Australian classical repertoire; ranking #32 in ABC Classic FM’s “The Classic 100 Concertos” and ranked #87 in the 2011 ABC Classic 100 “20th Century”.
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How did you approach the cultural assimilation of western classical music and Australia’s First Nations People?
SOB: I looked at it from the viewpoint that the comparatively young western classical tradition could meld with the ancient didgeridoo tradition. We chose the themes of "Earth", "Wind", "Water" and "Fire". There is also extensive use of a bullroarer and clapsticks. The didgeridoo was treated as an improvising instrument and this gave enormous scope to the work.
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On the whole, how does the musical assimilation of western classical music with musical traditions belonging to Australia’s First Nations People sit with you? Are there successful examples of this? Where does the concerto fit in this narrative?
CW: For me, the Didgeridoo is about storytelling and communicating the heart and voice of a people, groups and places. We have a distinct shared history in Australia, with an understanding of the past and present, with a view towards a reconciled future. This idea can be given a powerful voice through musical collaborations like these. Both art forms are dear to my heart. In a lot of ways, I think the merging of the two reflect the world we live in today.
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PERFORMANCE HISTORY
Photo courtesy of Melbourne Digital Concert Hall
Since our first collaboration with William Barton in 2008, Southern Cross Soloists has pioneered a growing repertoire of cross-collaborative works that feature didgeridoo soloist.
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* Note, all compositions listed below have been co-composed with Chris Williams
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James Morrison AM – Co-incidience
for mixed chamber ensemble and didgeridoo soloist
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Sunday June 18, 2023
From the Heartland: Vienna to Budapest, QPAC Concert Hall
Chris Williams, didgeridoo
World Premiere performance
Sean O'Boyle AM – The Wise Woman
for mixed chamber ensemble and didgeridoo soloist
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Saturday 10th June, 2023
Earth and Sky - Sunshine Coast Chamber Music Festival, Beerwah Community Hall
Chris Williams, didgeridoo
World Premiere performance
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Maps and Journeys: The World's First Astronomers
Production for mixed chamber ensemble, didgeridoo soloists, actor and dancer
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Cultural Knowledge: Paula Nazarski
Preparation: Tania Frazer, Sean O'Boyle AM, Suzanne Kompass and Paula Nazarski
Music: Sean O'Boyle AM, Eric Avery, Brenda Gifford and Ross Edwards
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Thursday August 11, 2022
Schools Concert - Bangalow Music Festival, A&I Hall
Selections from the Production
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Saturday August 13, 2022
Bangalow Music Festival, A&I Hall
World Premiere Performance
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Tuesday August 7, 2023
Schools Concert, Immanuel Lutheran College - Buderim
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Wednesday August 8, 2023
Horizon, Melbourne Recital Centre - Elizabeth Murdoch Hall
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Matthew Dewey – Kunanyi Skies
for mixed chamber ensemble and didgeridoo soloist
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Sunday October 2, 2022
A Moment in Time, QPAC Concert Hall
Chris Williams, didgeridoo
World Premiere performance
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Leah Curtis – The Ground
for mixed chamber ensemble and didgeridoo soloist
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Sunday June 19, 2022
A Moment in Time, QPAC Concert Hall
Chris Williams, didgeridoo
World Premiere performance
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Sean O’Boyle – ‘Beerwah’ The Mother of the Glasshouse Mountains
for mixed chamber ensemble and didgeridoo soloist
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Sunday February 20, 2022
Fireworks and Fury, QPAC Concert Hall
Chris Williams, didgeridoo
World Premiere performance
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Saturday 10th June, 2023
Earth and Sky - Sunshine Coast Chamber Music Festival, Beerwah Community Hall
Chris Williams, didgeridoo
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Joe Twist – The Ancient Rainforest
for mixed chamber ensemble and didgeridoo soloist
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Sunday September 5, 2021
Dreams and Visions, QPAC Concert Hall
Chris Williams, didgeridoo
World Premiere performance
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Sean O’Boyle/William Barton – Didgeridoo Concerto
for mixed chamber ensemble and didgeridoo soloist
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Thursday July 22, 2021
Brisbane Gala, Melbourne Digital Concert Hall
Chris Williams, didgeridoo
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Wednesday November 18, 2020
Dusk Recitals; Chris Williams in Concert with Southern Cross Soloists
Bleach* Festival, Burleigh Hub, Gold Coast
Chris Williams, didgeridoo
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Sunday October 18, 2020
SXS Returns, QPAC Concert Hall
Chris Williams, didgeridoo
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Saturday 10th June, 2023
Earth and Sky - Sunshine Coast Chamber Music Festival, Beerwah Community Hall
Chris Williams, didgeridoo
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John Rotar – Ginan: Songs of Knowledge
for mixed chamber ensemble and didgeridoo soloist
Sunday July 21, 2019
Maps and Journeys, QPAC Concert Hall
Chris Williams, didgeridoo
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William Barton – Square Circles Beneath the Sand
for mixed chamber ensemble and didgeridoo soloist
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Saturday August 19, 2017
Concert Five ‘Spirit of the People’, Bangalow A&I Hall
Annual Bangalow Music Festival 2017
William Barton, didgeridoo soloist
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Joe Twist/William Barton – Bangalow Dreamsong
for mixed chamber ensemble and didgeridoo soloist
Featuring William Barton in collaboration with Southern Cross Soloists and community choirs from the Northern Rivers region
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Saturday August 19, 2017
Festival Prelude, Bangalow A&I Hall
2017 Annual Bangalow Music Festival
World Premiere performance
William Barton, didgeridoo/voice soloist
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William Barton – I dream of sacred? I am my dream
for soprano, didgeridoo and mixed chamber ensemble
Recorded for ABC Classics
William Barton
Kalkadungu: Music for Didgeridoo and Orchestra
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Tuesday August 4, 2009
Cocktail Chat with Piers Lane, Jupiters Townsville
2009 Australian Festival of Chamber Music
William Barton, didgeridoo soloist
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Wednesday August 27, 2008
State Library of Queensland, Brisbane
World Premiere performance
William Barton, didgeridoo soloist