omega ensemble winter regional tour

One of Australia’s most dynamic chamber music groups – Omega Ensemble – is headlining Music in the Regions’ Winter tour across the Central West region of NSW from 22 July to 31 July.

The Winter Regional Tour will see Omega Ensemble perform a high-energy program, from Mozart’s cherished Clarinet Quintet to the world premiere of a new contemporary Australian work by Australian composer Carl Vine.

The Ensemble is performing at Forbes, Parkes, Canowindra, Kandos, Portland and Oberon, and will also take part in community engagement events in partnership with regional conservatoriums at Orange and Bathurst.

Music in the Regions Executive Director, Janine Collins, said: “We are delighted to bring musicians of this calibre to a variety of interesting regional venues in the Central West, including historical former cement works The Foundations in Portland, All Saints’ Anglican Church in Canowindra, and the heritage Malachi Gilmore Hall in Oberon.

“Omega Ensemble are lauded nationwide for their exceptional world-class performances, an incredible cultural experience these regional audiences would usually have to travel to a city for but can now enjoy close to home.”

Founded in 2005, Omega Ensemble has a mission to champion extraordinary Australian musical talent through high-energy and impactful performance. The Ensemble presents an annual National Touring Program to metropolitan and regional cities across Australia and frequently appears in national cultural festivals. They have also twice toured to China, delivering concerts and masterclasses in Shanghai and Beijing.

Omega Ensemble Artistic Director, David Rowden, said: “At the heart of our Ensemble are the musical stories we share and the special connections we make with our audiences. We love performing all around Australia, but we haven’t played in Western NSW since 2018. It is such a beautiful region and we are delighted we can return again this year. After the past few years, we have really missed travelling!

“It’s wonderful to be supported by Music in the Regions on this tour. Building sustainable touring models for regional NSW is so valuable to an organisation like ours. It will allow us to deepen our connection to the region and return for many years to come. 

“Chamber music is all about intimacy, so to perform in these unique smaller venues that are so intrinsic to the region and community is exactly what we love to do. It brings us all closer together and makes for a one-of-a-kind musical experience. It is one of the most rewarding parts of touring.”

Audiences on the Winter Regional Tour will be among the first in the world to hear a new work by legendary Australian composer Carl Vine, which Omega Ensemble commissioned especially for the program.

“It is a wickedly difficult Clarinet Quintet that really puts us through our paces. Coming straight off the back of premiere performances in Sydney and Newcastle just two weeks earlier, we’re so excited to be hitting the road with this new work as part of the program,” David said.

Omega Ensemble principal musicians appearing on the Winter Regional Tour are: David Rowden, clarinet; Peter Clark, violin; Neil Thompson, viola; and Paul Stender, cello.

OMEGA ENSEMBLE WINTER REGIONAL TOUR AND COMMUNITY EVENT SCHEDULE

Friday 22 July - Forbes Town Hall

Saturday 23 July - Cooke Park Pavilion, Parkes

Sunday 24 July - All Saints’ Anglican Church, Canowindra

Tuesday 26 July - Orange Regional Conservatorium (Community Event)

Wednesday 27 July - Mitchell Conservatorium, Bathurst (Community Event)

Saturday 30 July - The Foundations, Portland

Sunday 31 July - Malachi Gilmore Hall, Oberon

Images: Keith Saunders and Jordan Munns