August 2023
Soundstream is gearing up for an exciting latter half of 2023, with the production of Considering Matthew Shepard conducted by our Associate Artistic Director, Jesse Budel, a new research project and workshops with the Inarma Choir in the Northern Territory, and a radical 30th birthday party!
Considering Matthew Shepard
Tickets Now On Sale
7:30pm, Thursday 12 - Saturday 14 October
Elder Hall, North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000
This October, Soundstream presents Considering Matthew Shepard, a 21st-century, Grammy-nominated oratorio by Craig Hella Johnson that reflects on 1998 homophobic murder of Matthew Shepard in Wyoming USA.
Conducted by Jesse Budel and performed by a stellar ensemble of Adelaide choristers and instrumentalists, these performances take place on the 25th anniversary of Matthew’s death.
Join us for three performances only of this modern-day passion that reaches through tragedy to find peace, understanding and life-affirming joy.
This production is made possible through the generous support of the Elder Conservatorium of Music (The University of Adelaide) and the Pinnacle Foundation.
Fine Tuning and Inarma Choir Workshops
Sunset near Alice Springs, 22 July 2023.
Photo by Gabriella Smart.
In July, both Gabriella Smart and Jesse Budel joined a new Australian Research Council-funded project at The University of Adelaide, ‘Fine Tuning: A Reconciliation of Indigenous and Western Musical Traditions’.
This important project explores the musical tuning systems of several First Nations’ songlines:
Focusing on central Australian song lines, the project strengthens our knowledge, understanding and application of the intricate tuning systems that underpin traditional Indigenous musical practices. Employing a unique methodology that combines Indigenous and contemporary Western musical performance practices with cutting-edge digital technologies, the project will show how the highly nuanced and sophisticated tunings at the heart of Indigenous music-making can be preserved when transposed to contemporary Western art music contexts. In so doing, the case is made for a more genuine, equitable dialogue between Indigenous and non-Indigenous music-makers, to the mutual benefit of musicians, audiences, and society at large.
In July, Gabriella and project lead Dr Dylan Crismani had several preliminary meetings with the choir at Titjikala Community and in Alice Springs to reaffirm the outcomes of the workshops. The message was resounding: the ladies want the choir wiru mulapa (to make the choir stronger and raise it professionally); to include many more younger women; and to share their culture with the world through song, making recordings, and giving tours and workshops.
This Saturday, Gabriella and Jesse will take the choir, with existing and new members, to Ross River (NT) for four days of workshops. In this beautiful location, choral techniques in language (Arrende, Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara) will be refined, new songs will be created and the elder and young ladies will sing together for the first time.
These August workshops are supported through an Arts South Australia Project Grant.
Save the Date:
Soundstream’s 30th Birthday Party!
Gabriella Smart with Oudom Southammavong, working on Parasymbiosis
2023 is Soundstream's 30th anniversary, and we're gearing up for a big celebratory bash of new music and experimental arts later this year!
Soundstream's 30th Birthday Party
Saturday 25 November, 12PM til late
16 Fraser Street, Aldinga Beach SA
Stay tuned for more information soon!
