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QMF's THE NIGHT PARROT

Name: QMF's THE NIGHT PARROT
Start: 2022-06-17T19:00:00+10:00
End: 2022-06-17T19:00:00+10:00
Location: Maleny Community Centre

About

Take a magical journey as a century-long mystery comes to life.

Music and conservation unite to tell the enchanting story of one of the world’s most elusive birds through an intimate night of chamber music.

For nearly a century, the night parrot was believed to be extinct. That is until recently, when the species was sighted nestled amongst the spinifex in regional Queensland. Now, the extraordinary story of this mysterious bird is being shared through music, with a commissioned work by revered Australian composer, Jessica Wells.

Inspired by the melodic and haunting call of the night parrot, this chamber concert features soprano Morgan England-Jones and the Acacia Quartet to evocatively convey the plight of this unique species. The Night Parrot was first commissioned by QMF and Bush Heritage Australia for the Queensland Music Festival in 2019, under the artistic directorship of Katie Noonan.

The concert program will also feature additional repertoire inspired by birds from Australian composers Colin Brumby, Alfred Hill, John Spence, Alan Tregaskis and Sally Whitwell, with a visually stunning video design by Craig Wilkinson.

The Concert will commence with a Welcome to Country by Kabi Kabi) and Jinibara Traditional Owners - Aunty Helena Gulash and Jason Murphy - and a bird-inspired program by Maleny vocal ensemble SIRIN.

PROGRAM

Welcome to Country - Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Traditional Owners
SIRIN - Vocal Ensemble
Acacia Quartet & Morgan England Jones
- Albatross John Spence (arr. Dr Steve Newcomb)
- The Lark Now Leaves His Wat’ry Nest Colin Brumby (arr. Dr Steve Newcomb)
- I Thought I heard a Magpie Call Alfred Hill (arr. Dr Steve Newcomb)
- Mopoke Alfred Hill (arr. Dr Steve Newcomb)
- Speak With the Sun Alan Tregaskis (arr. Dr Steve Newcomb)
- The Birds Sally Whitwell - Three-piece song cycle:
  - Skylark
  - Nightingale
  - Linnet
- The Lark Ascending Ralph Vaughan Williams (arr. M.Gerigk)
- The Night Parrot Jessica Wells

The Night Parrot is presented by Maleny Arts Council and Sunshine Coast Chamber Music Festival in collaboration with QMF.

This project is made possible by the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund, provided through Regional Arts Australia, administered in Queensland by Flying Arts Alliance.