June 2023
This past half year has been a busy time for Soundstream, with our first ever Adelaide Fringe offering in the Emerging Composers Forum Concert, Gabriella Smart’s European residency for Parasymbiosis, the Murray Bridge Piano Sanctuary Launch in May, and a new research project with The University of Adelaide involving Soundstream and Inarma Choir.
But first, we seek your support for our upcoming production of Considering Matthew Shepard, a deeply-moving oratorio commemorating a life taken all too soon.
Considering Matthew Shepard Fundraiser
3-5pm, Sunday 18 June
The Loft, 16 Fraser Street, Aldinga Beach SA 5173
Join conductor and producer Jesse Budel in an afternoon fundraising event for Considering Matthew Shepard, a 21st-century, Grammy-nominated oratorio by Craig Hella Johnson, reflecting on the 1998 homophobic murder of Matthew Shepard in Wyoming USA.
Soundstream’s performances of this significant work take place on the 25th anniversary of Matthew’s tragic death, from 12-14 October 2023 in The University of Adelaide’s Elder Hall.
In 2023, our Australian Cultural Fund campaign supports this production, with all donations over $2 being full tax deductible.
The fundraiser afternoon will feature performances by soprano Chloe Dunstan (Aurora Vocal Ensemble) and Jesse Budel, as well as a screening of a PBS documentary exploring the oratorio and the events that led to its creation, overlooking the stunning Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park and Gulf St Vincent at sunset.
Light refreshments and drinks, generously contributed by Simon Hackett Wines, will be provided.
Emerging Composers Forum Concert at Adelaide Fringe 2023
Photo by Olivia Davies
On Sunday March 12, Soundstream presented the final concert of our 2019-2022 Emerging Composers Forum at the beautiful Coriole Vineyards, situated in the picturesque surrounds of McLaren Vale and the Willunga Basin.
The concert featured four world premieres of new works by some of Australia’s finest next-generation composers: Olivia Davies (WA), Christopher Williams (SA), Luke Cuerel (QLD) and Elizabeth Jigalin (NSW).
Each new commission was a unique musical response to the environment of the Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
In case you missed it, the concert can be viewed on Soundstream’s Youtube.
Parasymbiosis:
New Commission with Art Zoyd (FR)
Gabriella Smart with Oudom Southammavong, working on Parasymbiosis
Following a successful European tour in October 2022, Gabriella recently returned to Art Zoyd Studio in Valenciennes, France, to complete a commission for a durational 3 hour work, Parasymbiosis.
Smart (Electric Crystal, Roli Seaboard), Kasper Toeplitz (bass) and Didier Casamitjana (percussion) presented the work’s world premiere in Valenciennes on March 29.
Parasymbiosis is inspired by the night sky of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, with video by Kasper Toeplitz. The Southern Hemisphere footage is taken by Dan Pitman at Oratunga Station, Flinders Ranges SA.
Sincere thanks to Arts SA for their support of this project, including the adaptation of the Electric Crystal by its creator Dylan Crismani, to make it ergonomically safe to travel to Europe.
A video by Art Zoyd, featuring Gabriella Smart talking about Parasymbiosis
Murray Bridge Piano Sanctuary Launch
Jesse Budel giving a tour of the Murray Bridge Piano Sanctuary on 13 March. Photo by Greg Harm.
On Saturday May 13, the Murray Bridge Piano Sanctuary was finally launched!
Led by Associate Artistic Director Jesse Budel since 2018, the project came to full fruition thanks to multiple grants from the Rural City of Murray Bridge Council, a federal Regional Arts Fund grant, and generous donations of instruments from the local and broader South Australian community.
Supported by Soundstream, the launch event included a tour of the Sanctuary’s transforming pianos, and a concert by Jesse and Vanessa Tomlinson (QLD) at a nearby private garden.
Many thanks to all who attended!
Jesse Budel and Vanessa Tomlinson performing on Dulcie the pianola, Saturday 13 May at Murray Bridge. Photo by Greg Harm.
Fine Tuning: A Reconciliation of Indigenous and Western Musical Traditions –
a new research project
In July, both Gabriella Smart and Jesse Budel will be joining 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.
Led by Dr Dylan Crismani, the project is a partnership between The University of Adelaide, The University of Melbourne, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, the ABC, the South Australian Museum, Tura New Music and the Australian String Quartet, and will involve close collaboration with the Inarma Choir in Titjikala NT, which Soundstream continues to have connection with through the Titjikala Music project.
More information on the project can be found on the Australian Research Council website.
