Reception in support of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music

Australian Festival of Chamber Music Chair, Ms Mary Jo Capps AM; Artistic Director Mr Jack Liebeck; musicians; staff; corporate and industry partners; sponsors and supporters; distinguished guests.

I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people. I pay my respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise and value the integral role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to play in our nation’s creative and artistic endeavours.

As Governor and as Patron of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, I’m delighted to welcome you to Government House to celebrate the ongoing success of this unique annual event.

The Festival’s founder, Professor Ray Golding, was a Vice-Chancellor of James Cook University and a scientist, but he was also a visionary who never shied away from big, bold ideas.

Back in 1991, many were doubtful that even a man of Golding’s drive and imagination could successfully transplant the refined music of the salons of Europe to a tropical city in north Queensland, thirteen-hundred kilometres away from the nearest concert hall!

But succeed he did, and this year, in ten packed days between the opening night concert and the rooftop After Party, audiences will be able to hear ensembles and more than 40 individual composers, presenters and performers – including two didgeridoo players – in venues from the Civic Theatre and the cathedral to the gardens and the casino.

It’s a remarkable success story and much credit is due to the succession of the Festival’s world-class Artistic Directors. Theodore Kuchner drove Golding’s founding vision for 16 years; pianist Piers Lane led the Festival for over a decade; his fellow pianist and educator, Kathryn Stott, served until 2021; and this winter, we will experience the variety, innovation and excitement of Jack Liebeck’s third festival.

I am particularly excited to see Jack bring his interest in science to this year’s program through his ‘Illuminates’ series.

Exploring such things as the Cochlear ear and Artificial Intelligence is not only a fitting tribute to Professor Golding as a scientist, but acknowledgement of the very close connections between science and music – the physics of frequency and resonance, the mathematics of the structure of music, the engineering of instrument design, the technology of recording and broadcasting, the physiology of singing, the chemistry of our emotional responses to music…

In all of these ways and countless more, science and music are inextricably linked, and I’ve been very pleased to see this acknowledged in education where STEM is now increasingly being referred to as STEAM with the A for Arts incorporated as recognition that the Arts are inseparable from the disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

The extent to which musicians, audiences, the staff and board, as well as donors and sponsors, have embraced and supported the vision of this festival is truly exceptional.

I’m delighted that so many corporate partners and supporters of the Festival are able to be here tonight, and I take this opportunity to thank you, on behalf of all Queenslanders, for your ongoing support and for their belief in the value and importance of the Festival to Townsville, to our State, and indeed to Australia.

We will shortly enjoy a special performance courtesy of the exceptionally talented Zaza Road Quartet, but first, it gives me great pleasure to present your Chair, Ms Mary Jo Capps AM, with a Certificate of Patronage as affirmation of my support and advocacy.