Australian Embassy and Mission to the EU
Belgium-Luxembourg
Embassy address: Rue Guimardstraat 6-8, 1040 Brussels - Telephone: +32 (0) 2 286 0500 - Fax: +32 (0) 2 231 07 88

Previous Events

► Clean Up the World Campaign 2009: ‘Communities Uniting to Combat Climate Change’

The Clean Up the World (CUW) global campaign originated in Australia under the leadership of Ian Kiernan, and is conducted in partnership with United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). The CUW forthcoming weekend (18-20 September 2009) will offer a range of activities in many countries in the world. It all started in 1989 in Australia as Clean Up to become known as Clean Up the World in 1993, when Kiernan, an environmentalist and yachtsman who sailed competitively for 40 years, organised for UNEP to become the partner of the campaign worldwide.

Every year since then, the CWU is held the third weekend in September with more than 35 million people from over 120 countries.

This year, participants in the Clean Up the World campaign are encouraged to take action at a local level to address the very global issue of climate change. The 2009 theme is: ‘Communities Uniting to Combat Climate Change’.

CWU wants to get at least 750 groups involved worldwide. You can help it reach this goal by registering your activity, spreading the word and getting your friends, family and co-workers involved in this landmark campaign. All details can be found on: http://www.cleanuptheworld.org/en/Activities/promote-campaign.html and http://www.cleanuptheworld.org/en/Activities/clean-up-the-world-weekend-2009.html

Communities can conduct activities such as clean up events or organise environmental awareness raising activities. Groups, organisations, businesses and communities around the world unite and take action at a local level to address the global issue of climate change.

Should you wish to become a member of CUW, you should register directly with CUW via the website http://activities.cleanuptheworld.org/

A current list of CUW participants (updated regularly) can be found at: http://www.cleanuptheworld.org/en/AboutOurMembers/find-a-member.html

More than ever is Australia, where the CWU begun, committed to raise awareness on environmental issues, and the CWU campaign is one opportunity we all have to look after our environment, in the lead-up of the Copenhagen Summit in December this year.


If you need to learn more about how to address climate change, you will find some elements via the CWU website: http://www.cleanuptheworld.org/PDF/en/adressing-climate-change_en.pdf

Any questions about the campaign can be directed to: info@cleanuptheworld.org



► Nicolas Baudin’s travels – Colloquium, 2-5 September 2009

The Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), in conjunction with several universities worldwide, is organising a colloquium on French Captain Nicolas Baudin who notably travelled to Australia in the early days of the 19th century.

Baudin was an explorer, cartographer, naturalist and hydrographer born on Ile de Ré (Brittany) in 1754.

In October 1800, Baudin led what has become known as the Baudin Expedition, to map the coast of Australia. He reached Australia in May 1801, and in April 1802 he met Matthew Flinders, the famous English cartographer who circumnavigated Australia and encouraged the use of that name for the continent.

Baudin died in 1803 from tuberculosis on his way back to France. A number of monuments have been established around Australia, including eight at various locations in Western Australia. Baudin Beach on Kangaroo Island in South Australia was named in his honour.

ULB is organising on 2-5 September 2009 a colloquium on Nicolas Baudin, with the participation of Australian academics from Adelaide, Canberra, Perth and Sydney, including Professor Margaret Sankey and Associate Professor John West-Sooby who are both members of the scientific committee of this colloquium.

For the full program of the colloquium and practical information, please check this website: http://www.ulb.ac.be/sciences/biomar/colloque 

 

► Australian Dance Theatre in association with Frans Brood Productions present 'G', November-December 2008

Internationally renowned Australian choreographer Garry Stewart’s latest work, 'G', is a sophisticated reworking of the classical ballet Giselle.

Drawing upon the emotive themes of the original story, 'G' is a masterful and engrossing analysis of the romantic psyche which clearly brings the past into the present with Stewart’s trademark style.

'G' is currently undertaking an extensive international tour through 26 European cities. Part of its tour will take Australian Dance Theatre to Luxembourg on 12 and 13 December.

“ 'G' is more emotionally and theatrically representational than some of my previous works. In this work there is a preoccupation with hysteria and loss as well as with failure - the failure of the promise of love as well as the ultimate failure of the promise of the technical virtuosity which forms the cornerstone of classical ballet. 'G' has been a unique challenge for the dancers as they not only have to engage with the depth of this drama but also they have to negotiate the formidable physical execution of 'G's arduous movement demands,” said Garry Stewart.

Australian Dance Theatre is now at the forefront of international contemporary dance with Garry Stewart’s uncompromising approach and distinctive choreography being sought by presenters around the world and acclaimed by audiences and critics as thrilling and breathtaking.

'G' has been co-produced by Théâtre de la Ville (Paris) and co-commissioned by The Joyce Theater's Stephen and Cathy Weinroth Fund for New Work (New York), Southbank Centre (London) and Merrigong Theatre Co. at Illawarra Performing Arts Centre (Wollongong).

ADT wishes to acknowledge the generous support provided by Arts Projects Australia.

Full details on dates, venues and bookings can be found by visiting the ADT website – www.adt.org.au



► PAA EUROPE 2008 ANNUAL MEETING , Wednesday, 29 - 31 October, 2008, Belgium

The Pacific Arts Association (PAA), an international organisation that concerns itself with the study of the art of Oceania, will hold its annual conference in Belgium this year.

Two Australian researchers, Harry Beran and Edward Aguirre, will give a presentation on Wednesday 29 October at the Royal Museums of Art and History (Jubelpark/Parc Cinquantenaire, Brussels). Dr Michael Gunn, the Senior Curator of Pacific Arts at the National Gallery of Australia will also attend the conference.

The PAA generally holds a symposium in conjunction with an important exhibition, and “The Art of Oceania” exhibition in the ING Cultural Centre, Brussels, provides an ideal occasion for holding the conference in Belgium.

The presentations during the symposium will look at two themes. The first theme will be the cultural significance of the human body in the art of peoples from the region of the South Pacific. These peoples transform the body in order to represent ancestral or mythical beings. Exhibiting the body as a metaphor can be seen in sacred images, utensils and even in the architecture. By wearing masks or through dance, the human body itself can of course also change. Artefacts transfer knowledge. The second theme of the symposium is therefore the question of how indigenous knowledge can be transferred via artefacts within their own culture or to Western culture.

The symposium will highlight the colourful and expressive art of Oceania. The exhibition and academic studies also indirectly promote current indigenous art production, thus contributing to the preservation of cultural traditions that are important to the identity of the peoples of the South Pacific.

The conference is organised by both the faculty of Ethnic Art at the University of Ghent and the Royal Museums of Art and History.

General public is welcome to attend.

The Pacific Arts Association
The Pacific Arts Association is an international organisation that pursues studies of all the art disciplines of Oceania. Their aims are:
• To increase members’ awareness of the situation as regards the art in the South Pacific
• To promote serious study, interpretation and reporting on the art of Oceania
• To encourage interest within education for academic-level courses on the art of the South Pacific
• To develop co-operation between institutes and individuals involved in the art of Oceania
• To contribute towards the conservation and management of the material culture of Oceania
• To improve mutual understanding between nations involved in the art of Oceania.



► Bomb Harvest: An Australian feature documentary, 25 October 2008

The Australian documentary Bomb Harvest by Kim Mordaunt will be presented in Brussels on Saturday 25 October at 15hrs, at the Festival des Libertés in Flagey, in the presence of the film maker.

Over 35 years ago, during the Vietnam War, American bombs rained down on Laos in the ‘Secret War’, leaving it the most bombed country, per capita, in history. The deadly legacy of this destruction continues, with the country still scattered with unexploded ordnance.

A huge live bomb is found behind a village school, and Australian bomb disposal specialist Laith Stevens arrives to check it out. He is in the process of training a new ‘big bomb’ team, so reluctantly leaves the bomb’s disposal until the team is up to the task. Reluctant, because rural poverty has triggered a brisk illegal trade in bomb scrap metal and the local children are out hunting for bombs.

In order to find the right person to deal with the very dangerous bomb behind the school, Laith will take his team of fledgling bomb disposal specialists down to a remote area of the Ho Chi Minh Trail where they will test their new skills on live bombs for the first time.

Bomb Harvest explores how three generations of people, in a largely forgotten country, have been left to deal with the disorder of an air war long after it is over. It takes us into a post-apocalyptic world that reminds us of what is to come from the wars of today.

Bomb Harvest is a production of Lemur Films, the company established by director/writer Kim Mordaunt and producer/writer Sylvia Wilczynski. It won Best Feature - Children’s Advocacy at the Artivist International Film Festival and Awards in Hollywood in October 2008.

Kim Mordaunt will be available to exchange with the audience right after the screening.

More information on Bomb Harvest: http://www.bombharvest.com
More information on Festival des Libertés: http://www.festivaldeslibertes.be



► Dark Shades of Blue: Australian singer touring Belgium, 1-2 August 2008

The Australian singer-songwriter Xavier Rudd will be in Belgium as part of a European tour on Friday 1 August at the Festival Esperanzah in Floreffe and on Saturday 2 August at the Dranouter Festival, with his new album ‘Dark Shades of Blue’.

Xavier Rudd is well known for his virtuoso ability to play aboriginal instruments as well as lap guitar, foot boxes and harmonica. With his unique blend of folk, reggae, rock and world music, he incorporates not only instruments native to Australia, but also indigenous voices, giving expression to Aboriginal singers.

Though his latest and seventh album, ‘Dark Shades of Blue’, is to be released on 18 August, Belgian festival aficionados in Floreffe and Dranouter will have a chance to discover it. Produced and mixed by Joe Barresi (Tool, Queens of the Stone Age), that new album, though it keeps Rudd’s signature, is dusky and with a sound less of ‘world music’, maintaining the presence of the didgeridoo. In Europe, the album will be released on Anti Records, label home of artist such as Tom Waits, Michael Franti, Mavis Staples and Daniel Lanois.

In Australia, since his debut with ‘To Let’ in 2002, Xavier Rudd has collected a string of gold and platinum sales awards for his albums and DVDs.

The Australian performer has earned a reputation as a great Australian activist, advocating for indigenous rights and environmental responsibility.


For more information on Xavier Rudd performing at:
- Festival Esperanzah, Floreffe: http://www.esperanzah.be/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=27

- Dranouter Festival, Dranouter: http://www.folkdranouter.be/overzicht.aspx



► World Youth Day in Australia – July 2008

Time to register and to request a visa
The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has called on prospective World Youth Day (WYD08) pilgrims from overseas to immediately lodge their visa applications. DIAC has already issued more than 30 000 visas to World Youth Day participants from around the world with the number of visas issued for pilgrims tripling in the past six weeks.

However, tens of thousands of applications are still expected. Strong recommendation is for pilgrims who haven’t yet applied for their visas to act. Although the department will do its best to finalise late applications in time, it would be disappointing for pilgrims to miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity because they left their visa application too late.

World Youth Day pilgrims who are eligible for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) may choose to apply for their visa at the same time as registering to attend World Youth Day.

Overseas pilgrims also need to register for the event and, in addition, will need to complete a paper application form to be sent to their nearest Australian Immigration office (Please note that the Australian Embassy in Brussels does not have an Immigration office; information can be found on: http://www.eu.mission.gov.au/bsls/VisMigPerVis.html)
More details on how to apply for a visa are available through the WYD08 registration system or on the department’s website: www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/wyd_08/index.htm


Some tourist information
Tourism Australia has set up a facebook site on Australia for WYD08 pilgrims at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Australia/11071120908 .The page is updated daily and contains useful information such as event listings, images from around the country and a list of top travel locations to help pilgrims make the most of their time in Australia for WYD08. More information is available on: www.australia.com/wyd08


For the media
Please direct all enquires from international media about the media facilities provided by WYD08 during the event to the media room on their website:
http://www.wyd2008.org/index.php/en/media__1 .This website provide also access to a regular WYD08 media newsletter
Email: media@wyd2008.org
Visa for the media: www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/wyd_08/media-wyd-08.htm



► Australian artists at the KunstenFestivaldesArts - May 2008

For three weeks in May (9-31mai), the Kunstenfestivaldesarts brings together some thirty works of art – theatrical and visual - created by artists from all over the world. New works, many of which will be born during the festival. Remarkable works intended for an inquiring audience.

As part of the festival, there will be performance by two Australian artists:

William Yang – "China"
Somewhere between a travelogue and a lecture/performance, William Yang draws from his archive of photographs to produce, in his unique way, an intimate narrative. In his latest creation, China, the Australian is returning to a motherland he has never known.

Dates: 28, 29, 30, 31May at 20.30
Location: Théâtre 140

Meet the artist after the performance on 29 May.

Rebekah Rousi - The longest lecture marathon
The Longest Lecture Marathon is one of the elements in this protean work: a 27-hour lecture-performance during which she endlessly breaks down language, giving a sense of straying into an inexhaustible flow of explanations.

Dates:
23 May at 19.00 - 22.00
24 May at 10.00 – 22.00
25 May at 10.00 - 22.00
Location: Erasmus Hogeschool

Free entrance. During the performance the audience can wander in and out of the classroom.

More info on the program: www.kfda.be


►Australian Choir performing in Belgium, 24–25 April 2008

The St Andrew’s Cathedral School Choir based in Sydney, Australia, will perform in Belgium as part of a European tour.

On Thursday 24 April the choir will perform at the Holy Trinity Church (29 rue Capitaine Crespel, 1050 Brussels) at 20.00.

On 25 April, on the occasion of ceremonies marking ANZAC* Day, St Andrew’s musicians will perform at Tyne Cot cemetery (Passchendaele) and Menin Gate (Ypres), in West Flanders. In the evening they will open the Amateur Arts Week in Kortrijk with a concert at the Church of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwe Straat).

St Andrew’s music tour to Europe in April 2008, where they will visit particularly Prague, Leipzig, Berlin and Brussels, follows a series of highly successful international music tours.

For more information on Saint Andrew’s Cathedral School Choir: http://www.sacs.nsw.edu.au/academic/music/overview.

For more information on the 2008 Music Tour by the Saint Andrew’s Cathedral School Choir, including Belgium: http://www.sacs.nsw.edu.au/academic/music/international_music_tours/2008_music_tour

* ANZAC stands for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps.



► Australian circus in Belgium, 15-19 April 2008

Circa, one of Australia’s most exciting circus companies, is touring Belgium with its latest show “The Space Between” from Monday 15 April to Saturday 19 April. On 19 April Circa will perform in Brussels at the Cultural Centre of Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, at 20.30 hrs. Tickets are 15 €, families of three pay 30 €. Other locations in Belgium are Arlon (15-16 April), La Louvière (17 April) and Ath (18 April). For more details on the company, their work and performances, check out their website: www.circa.org.au.

Win ticket for two, for Circa's performance in Brussels. In order to win, you must provide by Friday 18 April on pubaffs.brussels@dfat.gov.au, the correct answer to the following question: Which Belgian artist's music is used in "Space Between"?



►The Australia Day Charity Gala 2008

On 26 January 2008, on the occasion of Australia Day, the Australian Embassy Brussels, the Australia Society and Australian Business in Europe (ABIE - Belgium) organised the first Australia Day Charity Gala. The event, held at the Radisson SAS Royal Hotel in Brussels, brought together eminent Australian and international guests and was an opportunity to showcase a sophisticated Australia with a high-tech industry and a unique gastronomy and lifestyle.

As a charity gala, all profits of the evening went to two Belgian charity organisations: Centre Comprendre et Parler (www.ccpasbl.be) and VLOK-CI (www.vlok-ci.be), whose objective is to ingrate hearing-impaired children in the society and make them as autonomous as possible. Both organisations have a close relationship with Cochlear Technology Centre Europe and Cochlear Benelux NV, subsidiaries of Australian hearing-technology company Cochlear Limited, which we were proud to count as our partners for this gala.

Our artistic partner, Brenart Art Gallery, presented on the night a preview of the Australian aboriginal artwork exhibition “Great Masters of Australian Desert”, currently shown at the Brenart Gallery in Brussels (www.brenart.com), until 8 March 2008.

Entertainment for the evening included a mix of Australian and international music brought by the PDM Big Band and a raffle for which prizes included a Qantas Airways ticket to Australia, a Wallabies jersey signed by the whole Wallabies team, a special Radisson SAS Royal Hotel pack, and Australian wines. All proceeds from the raffle went to the charities.

The event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors: Kreglinger, Meat and Livestock Australia, Clean Seas Tuna Ltd, Crush Wine, Mig’s World Wines and Antipodes.


► Australian ceramics, 17 November-22 December 2007

Australian artist Victor Greenaway has an exhibition of contemporary ceramics at Puls Gallery from 17 November until 22 December 2007. Address: Kasteleinsplein 4 Place du Châtelain 1050 Brussels. Opening hours Wed to Sat, 13h to 18h. For more information, see www.pulsceramics.com.


► ABIE Christmas Dinner, 7 December 2007

Friday 7 December 2007 at 19h, at the Royal Golf Club, Avenue de Tervuren, 3080 Tervuren. Tickets 70 euros for members, 80 euros for non-members. For more information, contact ABIE by 3 December at abiebelgium@telenet.be.


► Davis Cup: Australia versus Belgium: First Round, 9-11 February 2007

Australia is to play Belgium in the Davis Cup First Round next year, on 9-11 February, in Liège, Belgium.

On Tuesday 30 January, the captain of the Australian team, John Fitzgerald, has announced that Lleyton Hewitt will lead the team. Chris Guccione, Peter Luczak and Paul Hanley have also been selected. The Australian team will come straight to Belgium after the Australian Open.

Australia is one of the most successful Davis Cup nations, having won the coveted title 28 times and finishing runner-up on 19 other occasions. In 2006, Australia was ranking 5 according to the ITF Davis Cup Nations ranking.

Venue
Country Hall du Sart-Tilman, Allée du Bol d'Air 13 - 4031 Angleur (Liège)
Stadium Capacity: 4000

Dates
09 February - 11 February 2007
Day 1: 1400 hrs
Day 2: 1500 hrs
Day 3: 1400 hrs

Tickets
Friday & Sunday: €25
Saturday: €20
3 Day ticket: €60

Tickets on sale from 27 November 2006

If you are interested in purchasing tickets, you should contact the Belgian organisers on +32 (0) 4 330 38 39.

Alternatively, you can contact Fenton Coull from Tennis Australia by email: fcoull@tennisaustralia.com.au or Dave McLatchey (The Fanatics, Tennis Australia’s supporter group in London) by email: mailto:dave@thefanatics.com

You may want to collect your tickets from Tennis Australia the day before on Thursday 8 February from their hotel in Liège.

Websites
Tennis Australia: www.tennisaustralia.com.au
Davis Cup: www.daviscup.com




► Australia Day 2007: ABIE and Australia Society - Function on 26 January

ABIE and the Australia Society invite you to join them for an extra Australia Day function to celebrate Australia Day 2007 on Friday 26 January at the Australian Embassy in Brussels.

Details of the event:

18.30 to 20.30
Australian Embassy and Mission to the European Union
Rue Guimardstraat 6-8
1040 Brussels

Drinks and 'nibbles' will be served.

10 euros for members; 15 euros for non members.

Registration required no later than Friday 19 January - RSVP: info@australiasociety or abiebelgium@pandora.be with your name and those who will accompany you.



► Australian Artist HEATHER FRAHN: Vocal Driven Conscious Lyric Acoustic Groove Roots Folk Music - TOURING FLANDERS IN DECEMBER 2006

The Australian musician and vocalist Heather Frahn, is coming to Belgium to perform her own brand of "vocal driven acoustic groove". She is a multi-award winning artist who fuels her music with a vibrant young woman's passion and delivers with a deep, dynamic voice that is undeniably her own.

She has been playing solo for over 10 years. She delivers with a unique combination of instruments featuring Heather's custom made "Salvi's" 8 stringed hybrid bass-baritone-guitar also played as a lap slide guitar, plus irish bouzouki and foot percussion.

Heather creates music based upon a universal oneness and unity for all people. Heather's lyrical motivation is to spread peace, hope & self empowerment through spiritual growth with life's challenges.

As some music review had it, her sound is toe tapping, layered and infectious.

PERFORMANCE DATES
2 December – 11pm, 't Ey, Koutermolenstraat 6b, 9111 Belsele
6 Decembe – 7pm, Art=Choc, Bosstraat, 2180 Ekeren
8 December – 8.15pm, CC Ter Vesten, Zwarte Dreef 2, 9120 Beveren, Heather Frahn supporting Yanah
9 December – 8.15pm, CC Leopoldsburg, Kastanjedreef 1, 3970 Leopoldsburg, Heather Frahn supporting Yanah
14 December - 9pm, Café Den Heksenketel,Pelgrimsstraat 22,2000
Antwerpen
16 December – 8.15pm, CC De Markthallen, Markt 2, 3540 Herk-de-Stad,
Heather Frahn supporting Ronny Mosuse

For more information please visit: www.heatherfrahn.com


 

► NAIDOC Week : ‘Respect the Past - Believe in the Future’ - 2 to 9 July 2006

What is NAIDOC?

NAIDOC has its origins in the fight for Aboriginal rights that began to gather pace in the 1920s and 1930s.

NAIDOC originally stood for ‘National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee’. This committee was once responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week, and its acronym has become the name of the week itself.

NAIDOC celebrations are held around Australia in the first week of July each year to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Theme and Focus for 2006

The theme for NAIDOC 2006 is ‘Respect the Past - Believe in the Future’. The national focus city hosting this year’s National NAIDOC Awards and Ball on 8 July will be Cairns in Queensland .

The theme represents all that is best about NAIDOC Week:


As Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders celebrate NAIDOC Week this year with members of the wider Australian community, all will remember and respect the traditional and cultural heritage from countless generations of Indigenous people on this continent for over 50,000 years.

NAIDOC Week will also be a time for Indigenous people to think about the future they want to shape for themselves.

For more information on NAIDOC, please visit NAIDOC’s website on: http://www.naidoc.org.au 


► The Australian Youth Choir in Belgium - 31 May and 1 June 2006


The Australian Youth Choir will be touring Europe during spring time, and will perform in Belgium on 31 May 2006 (Brussels and Aalst) and on 1 June 2006 Ypres (Ieper).

On this year's tour, 33 girls and 17 boys from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth are part of the tour.

The Choir have performed before HRH Prince Edward, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, and for His Holiness, the Pope John Paul II, and an audience of 10,000 people at the Vatican, Rome.

Concerts have also been given in some of the world’s finest Concert Halls and Cathedrals including the Duomo Florence, St Mark’s Basilica Venice, Notre Dame Paris, St Paul’s and Westminster Abbey London; St Patrick’s New York, the Rathaus, Augarten and Schonbrunn palaces in Vienna. They are the first Australian choir to perform at the distinguished Franz List Academy in Budapest in 1990.

All concerts are free.

Programme:

Wednesday 31 May 2006 – Brussels – 1300 hours

Eglise Notre-Dame du Finistère
Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van Finisterrae
Rue Neuve – Nieuwstraat
1000 Brussels

Wednesday 31 May 2006 – Aalst – 2000 hours

Concert with Schola Cantorum Cantate Domino Boys Choir
Sint-Jozef kerk, Esplanadeplein,
9300 Aalst

Thursday 1 June 2006 – Ypres – 1230 hours

Outdoor concert
Front of the Town Hall or the Inner Court (Markt)

Thursday 1 June 2006 – Ypres – 2000 hours

Ypres – Menin Gate (Last Post Ceremony)

The Australian Youth Choir – background information:

The Australian Youth Choir comes under the umbrella of the National Institute of Youth Performing Arts Australia, which encourages young Australians, from all backgrounds to strive for excellence in the performing arts.

The Choir, since its inception in 1975, has achieved world-wide fame with over 18 highly successful international concert tours.

Concerts have also been given in some of the world’s finest Concert Halls and Cathedrals including the Duomo Florence, St Mark’s Basilica Venice, Notre Dame Paris, St Paul’s and Westminster Abbey London; St Patrick’s New York, the Rathaus, Augarten and Schonbrunn palaces in Vienna. They are the first Australian choir to perform at the distinguished Franz List Academy in Budapest in 1990.

The Australian Youth Choir confirmed its reputation as the finest Youth Choir to come from Australia when it performed at Carnegie Hall in 1995. They also appeared with the world famous Vienna Boys Choir during their Australian tour in 1997.

2005 was its 30th anniversary which the Choir celebrated with a concert at the Royal Albert Hall in conjunction with Aled Jones and a massed choir of local London schools.

For more information please also refer to the Choir’s website: http://www.niypaa.com.au 


► Australia Day Concert - Western Australia Youth Orchestra - 24 April 2006


On the occasion of Australia Day 2006, the Western Australia Youth Orchestra gave a concert at the St Michael and Gudula Cathedral, in Brussels on the evening of 25 January 2006.

The Western Australia Youth Orchestra, also known as WAYO, was established in 1957 and is based in Perth . It has earned an enviable international reputation for its spectacular fusion of youthful vitality with professionalism and maturity. Its talented musicians provide Australia with one of its strongest cultural showpieces abroad. Over 10000 players have participated in various ensembles, including its symphony orchestra which will perform in Brussels.

The Orchestra has worked with conductors of the calibre of Vladimir Ashkenazy and Pinchas Zuckerman, and with soloists including Dame Joan Sutherland and Daniel Barenboim.

WAYO European tour 2006 saw the orchestra touring Paris, Brussels and London in January and February, performing works by Tchaikovsky and two Australian contemporary composers, Iain Grandage and Carl Vine.

Out of Time - Iain Grandage
Iain Grandage represents a new breed of Western Australian composer. He has a strong performance connection as a practicing musician and has written a hugely varied range of music from theatre pieces to operas, and from children’s pieces to full-scale large orchestral works. He has written for groups as diverse as Indigenous musicians, and is equally at home in front of an orchestra or a rock band.

Out of Time is a dramatic affirmation of life. It starts with a broad, full theme that conjures images of the breadth of Western Australia before settling into a mysterioso section which has an almost Indigenous and timeless feel. Three solo instruments are featured – the clarinet, cello and trumpet. The work concludes with a firm affirmation of faith, indicating belief in the continued good health and prosperity.

Oboe Concerto - Carl Vine
The work falls into two broad sections: the first is slow-fast-slow, the second fast-slow-fast. The piece opens in a deliberately minor mode, mostly with a flattened second. This 'arabesque' sound world is complemented by melodic arabesques that seem inordinately idiomatic on the oboe. This progresses smoothly into a regular motoric section that concludes with brilliant trills on the oboe.

The first part closes with a dirge built around a repetitive rhythmic cell that could be the beat either of a heart or of a funeral drum. The second, shorter, part opens in the same minor modality as the beginning of the piece, but this time in an energetic syncopated rhythm. This falls away abruptly to an un-measured melismatic solo and a brief cadenza before returning to close the work, this time in an unashamed major key.

Symphony no 4 in F minor, op 36 - Peter Tchaikovsky

i) Andante Sostenuto – Moderato con anima
ii) Andantino in modo di canzona
iii) Scherzo: Pizzicato ostinato
iv) Allegro con fuoco

Symphony no 4 was commenced in late 1877 and completed in 1878. It was first performed in St Petersburg in February of 1878 at a Russian Musical Society concert. It has the standard four movements: The first movement represents fate, the second melancholy, the third has no definite programme and the fourth is a portrait of a folk holiday – image how it feels to be jolly. Hardly have you begun to have a good time when Fate again announces its approach. Others are not concerned with your suffering: only by rejoicing in the happiness of others is it possible to live… The first movement opens with a monumentally powerful fanfare in the horns and trumpets. This is the fate theme, and it dominates the movement. Marked Andante Sostenuto, it fills the listener with a great sense of foreboding, while the second movement, marked Andantino in modo di canzona is much gentler and reflective and is Tchaikovsky at his most lyrical. After the bubbly and effervescent 3rd movement (the famous Pizzicato ostinato) which almost feels out of character with the rest of the work, the symphony ends with the exuberant Allegro con fuoco, albeit punctuated by the return of the powerful fate theme from the first movement. The final movement is one of sheer technical wizardry as the woodwind and strings chase each other through a dazzling series of scalic passages punctuated by the brass with the Fate theme before ending in a blaze of tutti energy. Following its American premiere in 1890, the reviewer for the New York Post wrote: ‘The Fourth Tchaikovsky Symphony proved to be one of the most thoroughly Russian i.e. semi barbaric compositions ever heard in the city….’

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