ADRS Gala Concert 2015

Abstract

Research Background

The Gala concert for the ADRS was a ticketed public concert designed to provide a focus for the national double reed community by featuring international and national performers alongside QCGU students and staff at QCGU. The concert was conceived and curated by Eve Newsome as an historically significant Gala to align with the Australasian Double Reed Society National conference, 2015, drawing a major national audience to the event.

Research Contribution

The primary role of the researcher was to artistically direct and curate a concert featuring artists and works not previously heard in live performance in Australia and to recreate a work from an historic recording of 1966. The concert featured international stars playing alongside Divertimenti, a QCGU string ensemble creating an opportunity for students through intergenerational collaboration. Audiences attended a unique concert of international level and an archival recording was created from the performances for the ADRS.

Research Significance

It was the first concert of this type to be held in Australia since the 1994 International Double Reed concert held in Melbourne and for Brisbane to be able to host such an event of international quality represented an historic occasion. The collaboration of international, national and local performers required by the programming brought about educational and professional opportunities otherwise unavailable. The concert was well attended, showing the value to the national and local community and the suitability of the programming and curatorship.