Since its inception in 2005 by acclaimed string educator Elizabeth Morgan, the present Camerata of St John’s (Camerata) has established itself as a chamber orchestra of national significance with an outstanding track record of artistic achievement, business acumen and arts sector collegiality. It enjoys increasing support from government funding authorities, foundations, corporate partners and individual donors.
Performing without a conductor, and with no artistic director, the 17 core string players and their guest artists proudly take full ownership of their product to form a thriving, refreshing and acclaimed voice within the Australian musical landscape. In the past two years the constantly evolving group has developed two major concert series and undertaken festival appearances, collaborations, regional tours, live-to-air national broadcasts, recording and fundraising activities, making Camerata one of the busiest ensembles in the nation, while operated by one of the smallest managements..
A professional Queensland ensemble, Camerata provides career and performance opportunities for string players who wish to build a professional, international career from a base in Brisbane.
Camerata’s primary aim is to promote and enhance the musical life of Brisbane and other communities in Queensland through performances of a variety of styles of music in traditional and non-traditional spaces throughout the state. Through workshops, school talks and concerts Camerata plays a role in educating young string players.
Camerata has a reputation for innovation and interesting and adventurous programming. The ensemble is extremely flexible in its repertoire and in the way it combines works in programs, playing the core “classics” as well as new and recent music and Australian music, and it regularly works with performers outside the ‘classical’ sector.
Highlights of recent and current concerts include:
- Penderecki’s Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima
- Barber: Adagio for Strings and Agnus Dei, performed overlaid which created great interest and reception from listeners
- Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition, in a brilliant but rarely heard arrangement for chamber orchestra by Australian composer, Julian Yu.
- Britten: Les Illuminations, rarely performed in Queensland.
- Classic Country: Queensland Music Festival – Camerata performed with Country-western stars Adam Harvey, Melinda Schneider, Graeme Connors and Catherine Britt. Leader Brendan Joyce curated the music for this event, which was performed in Moranbah (audience 3,500) and Gladstone (audience 5,000), and included school workshops and interactive concerts.
Australian repertoire played in 2010 and 2011 includes:
- Roger Smalley: “Strungout”
- Sculthorpe: "Lament" for Strings
- Sculthorpe: “Port Essington” for strings
- Betty Beath: "Woman's Song "
- Phillip Houghton: "In Amber" for Guitar and Strings with Karin Schaupp (premiere of version for string orchestra)
- Robert Davidson: "A Short Hour Unseen" for string orchestra
- Malcolm Williamson: Concerto No.2 for Solo Piano and String Orchestra
- Anne Carr-Boyd: WORLD PREMIERE of "Tyalgum Dawn"
- Nigel Westlake: “Out of the Blue”
Performances of newer music from abroad given in 2010-2011 includes:
- Gordon Shi-Wen Chin: “Formosa Seasons” for Violin and Strings
- Timothy Murray:“Elegy for Yonty Solomon” with Piers Lane solo pianist
- Mozitech: "Affairs of the Heart" Concerto for Violin and String Orchestra
- Horovitz: Jazz Piano Concerto
- Vasks Dona Nobis Pacem
In addition to its major concert series, Camerata’s other activities include performing for special liturgical services and events at St John's Cathedral, invitation performances and corporate events.