People

A proud Murrawarri and Filipino rapper, drummer and composer, Rhyan Clapham isn’t afraid to push creative boundaries and draw together diverse influences, from classical to hip hop.

In the lyrics of this piece with the CSO Chamber Ensemble, I am resurfacing old journal entries of Cook and fellow colonists who first invaded, to ultimately challenge listeners on the idea of truth. What is truth? Who can tell it?

Ora was an extremely gifted bass player who performed with great talent and finesse. She was my best friend and we performed together for about 15 years. This composition was an opportunity for me to memorialise and remember her, through this unaccompanied, beautiful composition, Lament.

Bungaree, or Boongaree, (1775 – 24 November 1830) was an Aboriginal Australian from the Kuringgai people of the Broken Bay area north of Sydney, who was known as an explorer, entertainer, and Aboriginal community leader.

Bardju is about the footsteps we each take, and to tell us that we need to tread lightly on Mother Earth and take care of her.

Speak is cast in three distinct movements. Conceptually, each movement describes a different domain of language and communication.

One of Australia’s leading countertenors, Tobias Cole is a mainstay of the Canberra arts community and a passionate advocate for choral music.

PARTNER FEATURE / Aspen Medical has been a CSO Gold Partner since early 2021, working closely with the orchestra to deliver COVID-safe concerts.

“The most rewarding part of playing music is exploring the relationship between the composer, the audience, and other musicians.”

Guest artist Courtenay Cleary describes Margaret Sutherland’s Violin Concerto as a ‘hidden gem…intense, lush and whimsical.’