August 2017 - Friday Music Concerts
4 August
Judith Rough (soprano)
Bransby Byrne (organ)
Salve Regina in C minor - Giovanni Pergolesi (1710 - 1736)
I. Salve Regina
II. Ad te Clamamus
III. Eia ergo, Advocata Nostradamus
IV. Et Jesus Benedictine
V. O Virgo Maria
Domine deus - Antonio Vivaldi (1678 - 1741)
Et Incarnatus Est from the Mass in C Minor - W.A. Mozart (1756 - 1791)
Laudate Dominum (from Vespere De Dominica) - W.A. Mozart (1756 - 1791)
Judith Rough (soprano)
Bransby Byrne (organ)
Salve Regina in C minor - Giovanni Pergolesi (1710 - 1736)
I. Salve Regina
II. Ad te Clamamus
III. Eia ergo, Advocata Nostradamus
IV. Et Jesus Benedictine
V. O Virgo Maria
Domine deus - Antonio Vivaldi (1678 - 1741)
Et Incarnatus Est from the Mass in C Minor - W.A. Mozart (1756 - 1791)
Laudate Dominum (from Vespere De Dominica) - W.A. Mozart (1756 - 1791)
Judith Rough is a freelance classical soprano and a voice therapist.
Judith started singing as a child in Brisbane, as a member of the Brisbane Eisteddfod Junior choir. She was a principal and chorus member of the Queensland Light Opera Company and studied voice at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music where she won the Blanche Campbell Memorial Scholarship for singing.
Judith has extensive experience as a soloist performing for organisations such as Willoughby Symphony Orchestra & Choir, Balmain Consort, Beethoven Society of Australia, The Mozart Players, Sutherland Shire Choral Society, Warringah Choir, The Georgian Singers, Coro Innominata, and Strathfield Symphony Orchestra. She is a regular soloist with the Highland Sinfonia and The Southern Highlands Symphony Orchestra.
She has performed most of the soprano oratorio and concert repertoire, including solo cantatas by Vivaldi, Handel, Porpora and Bach, Pergolesi's Stabat Mater, as well as major choral works by Vivaldi, Bach, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Rutter, Lloyd-Webber and of course Messiah.
In USA Judith was soloist with professional chamber choirs Voces Novae et Antiquae and The Lady Chapel Singers, recording with them and touring in USA and Europe. She performed regularly in recital, was soloist with the Mainline Opera Guild, and performed opera as part of the music education programme in Philadelphia schools. She worked as resident cantor & soloist for historic St David's Episcopal Church Devon USA, and St Martin's Episcopal Church, Radnor.
Judith continues to perform regularly, as a soloist in major choral works and in concert and recital for various organizations in Sydney and the Southern Highlands. Recent highlights include performing Richard Strauss's Four Last Songs with The Southern Highlands Symphony Orchestra and a world premiere performance of the Chamber Opera Purgatory for soprano, tenor and wind ensemble by Philip Rugel with the Sydney Woodwind Orchestra.
Bransby Byrne
His private studio in Parramatta, and in more recent years in Pitt St, Sydney, has been a centre of teaching for many students of Singing, Pianoforte, Organ, Conducting, Theory, Aural Training and Harmony. Many students have gone on to professional careers as performers or teachers.
Some important appointments have been:
Organist and Choirmaster All Saints' Church Parramatta for 13 years directing a boys' choir of 20 voices and an adult choir of 18 voices. An occasional choir of 25 singers was established to present larger choral works with orchestra [eg. Stabat Mater (Dvorak), Magnificat (J.S. Bach), 'Nelson' Mass (Haydn), Ceremony of Carols(SSA with harpist June Loney) (Britten)]. During this time, Bransby was Artistic Director for an annual Patronal Festival of Music and Arts. This was established at All Saints' featuring visiting choirs, Sydney Dance Co., Art Shows, Organ and Chamber Music Recitals.
A new pipe organ was commissioned by the Parish and completed in three instalments by firstly, Hill Norman and Beard and completed by Pitchford & Garside with modifications to the specification by Bransby Byrne. On completion, the required funds had been raised by the Parish and no outstanding debt was incurred.
Director of Music at The King's School, Preparatory School for 5 years. This included class music teaching, training the Prep School choir, the Prep School Chapel choir, organising private music tuition in Violin, Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet and Piano and teaching private piano lessons in both the Prep and Senior Schools.
Repetiteur with Opera Australia for the opening season of the Sydney Opera House. Productions included- War and Peace (Prokofief); Tannhäuser (Wagner); The Magic Flute (Mozart); The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart); Il Trittico (Puccini); The Barber of Seville (Rossini); Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni); Pagliacci (Leoncavallo); Nabucco and Requiem (Verdi) working with conductors, Sir Edward Downes, Sir Charles MacKerras and (Sir) Mark Elder.
Musical Director of The Sydney Gilbert and Sullivan Society for 14 years, conducting all the G. & S. operas at least twice. In 1975 Bransby conducted the first complete G. & S. (Mikado) in the Sydney Opera House, which was then followed by The Gondoliers (1977) and the Golden Jubilee Season of the Society.
Assistant Organist at St Andrew's Cathedral. During this time the Cathedral Choir toured to New Zealand as well as England where services/recitals were sung in 10 cathedrals including Canterbury, Salisbury, York and St Paul's London. In each venue, Bransby accompanied the choir on some of the best organs in the world. Bransby also established a symphony orchestra of 60 players — The Western Sinfonia, together with The Western Choral Society and a chamber choir, The Brabyn Singers.
For 16 years these ensembles presented subscription concerts at Macquarie University, Sydney University, Sydney Town Hall, Sydney Opera House and St Andrew's Cathedral (where St Matthew Passion (Bach) and Messiah (Handel) were presented, alternate years on Good Friday). He also toured extensively around Australia for many years as official accompanist to June Bronhill.
Bransby Byrne has been involved in the music-making of Sydney and Australia for many years, as Organist, Pianist, Accompanist and Conductor.
Judith started singing as a child in Brisbane, as a member of the Brisbane Eisteddfod Junior choir. She was a principal and chorus member of the Queensland Light Opera Company and studied voice at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music where she won the Blanche Campbell Memorial Scholarship for singing.
Judith has extensive experience as a soloist performing for organisations such as Willoughby Symphony Orchestra & Choir, Balmain Consort, Beethoven Society of Australia, The Mozart Players, Sutherland Shire Choral Society, Warringah Choir, The Georgian Singers, Coro Innominata, and Strathfield Symphony Orchestra. She is a regular soloist with the Highland Sinfonia and The Southern Highlands Symphony Orchestra.
She has performed most of the soprano oratorio and concert repertoire, including solo cantatas by Vivaldi, Handel, Porpora and Bach, Pergolesi's Stabat Mater, as well as major choral works by Vivaldi, Bach, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Rutter, Lloyd-Webber and of course Messiah.
In USA Judith was soloist with professional chamber choirs Voces Novae et Antiquae and The Lady Chapel Singers, recording with them and touring in USA and Europe. She performed regularly in recital, was soloist with the Mainline Opera Guild, and performed opera as part of the music education programme in Philadelphia schools. She worked as resident cantor & soloist for historic St David's Episcopal Church Devon USA, and St Martin's Episcopal Church, Radnor.
Judith continues to perform regularly, as a soloist in major choral works and in concert and recital for various organizations in Sydney and the Southern Highlands. Recent highlights include performing Richard Strauss's Four Last Songs with The Southern Highlands Symphony Orchestra and a world premiere performance of the Chamber Opera Purgatory for soprano, tenor and wind ensemble by Philip Rugel with the Sydney Woodwind Orchestra.
Bransby Byrne
His private studio in Parramatta, and in more recent years in Pitt St, Sydney, has been a centre of teaching for many students of Singing, Pianoforte, Organ, Conducting, Theory, Aural Training and Harmony. Many students have gone on to professional careers as performers or teachers.
Some important appointments have been:
Organist and Choirmaster All Saints' Church Parramatta for 13 years directing a boys' choir of 20 voices and an adult choir of 18 voices. An occasional choir of 25 singers was established to present larger choral works with orchestra [eg. Stabat Mater (Dvorak), Magnificat (J.S. Bach), 'Nelson' Mass (Haydn), Ceremony of Carols(SSA with harpist June Loney) (Britten)]. During this time, Bransby was Artistic Director for an annual Patronal Festival of Music and Arts. This was established at All Saints' featuring visiting choirs, Sydney Dance Co., Art Shows, Organ and Chamber Music Recitals.
A new pipe organ was commissioned by the Parish and completed in three instalments by firstly, Hill Norman and Beard and completed by Pitchford & Garside with modifications to the specification by Bransby Byrne. On completion, the required funds had been raised by the Parish and no outstanding debt was incurred.
Director of Music at The King's School, Preparatory School for 5 years. This included class music teaching, training the Prep School choir, the Prep School Chapel choir, organising private music tuition in Violin, Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet and Piano and teaching private piano lessons in both the Prep and Senior Schools.
Repetiteur with Opera Australia for the opening season of the Sydney Opera House. Productions included- War and Peace (Prokofief); Tannhäuser (Wagner); The Magic Flute (Mozart); The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart); Il Trittico (Puccini); The Barber of Seville (Rossini); Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni); Pagliacci (Leoncavallo); Nabucco and Requiem (Verdi) working with conductors, Sir Edward Downes, Sir Charles MacKerras and (Sir) Mark Elder.
Musical Director of The Sydney Gilbert and Sullivan Society for 14 years, conducting all the G. & S. operas at least twice. In 1975 Bransby conducted the first complete G. & S. (Mikado) in the Sydney Opera House, which was then followed by The Gondoliers (1977) and the Golden Jubilee Season of the Society.
Assistant Organist at St Andrew's Cathedral. During this time the Cathedral Choir toured to New Zealand as well as England where services/recitals were sung in 10 cathedrals including Canterbury, Salisbury, York and St Paul's London. In each venue, Bransby accompanied the choir on some of the best organs in the world. Bransby also established a symphony orchestra of 60 players — The Western Sinfonia, together with The Western Choral Society and a chamber choir, The Brabyn Singers.
For 16 years these ensembles presented subscription concerts at Macquarie University, Sydney University, Sydney Town Hall, Sydney Opera House and St Andrew's Cathedral (where St Matthew Passion (Bach) and Messiah (Handel) were presented, alternate years on Good Friday). He also toured extensively around Australia for many years as official accompanist to June Bronhill.
Bransby Byrne has been involved in the music-making of Sydney and Australia for many years, as Organist, Pianist, Accompanist and Conductor.
11 August
Vivien Jeffrey (violin)
Ewan Foster (viola)
Vivien Jeffrey (violin)
Ewan Foster (viola)
Partita no 3 for Solo Violin in E major BWV 1006 - J S Bach (1685 - 1750)
1. Preludio
2. Loure
3. Gavotte en Rondeau
4. Menuett I
5. Menuett II
6. Bourrée
7. Gigue
Duo for violin and viola in G major KV423 - W A Mozart (1756 - 1791)
1. Allegro
2. Adagio
3. Rondeau. Allegro
Duo for violin and viola in G minor - G F Handel (1685 - 1759) arr. Halvorsen
1. Preludio
2. Loure
3. Gavotte en Rondeau
4. Menuett I
5. Menuett II
6. Bourrée
7. Gigue
Duo for violin and viola in G major KV423 - W A Mozart (1756 - 1791)
1. Allegro
2. Adagio
3. Rondeau. Allegro
Duo for violin and viola in G minor - G F Handel (1685 - 1759) arr. Halvorsen
Vivien Jeffery is a versatile performer, working frequently as a soloist, chamber musician and concertmaster and solo jazz musician and singer. Vivien has performed as soloist with all the major orchestras in Australia including the Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmanian and Queensland Symphony Orchestras and the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra. She has worked overseas in principal positions in the world's best orchestras, including Concertmaster with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in Birmingham in the United Kingdom and Assistant Leader with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in Glasgow, Scotland. She was also Principal violinist with the RTE Concert Orchestra in Dublin, Ireland. Vivien will work as Second Concertmaster in the Jonkoping Sinfonietta in Sweden, and will lead the West Australian Symphony Orchestra for concerts later this year. Vivien was the Deputy Concertmaster of the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra from 2010-2011. She has also been Guest Principal violin with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and the Sydney Philharmonia and has toured internationally with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
An active chamber musician, she was a founding member of the Argyle String Quartet, and has worked with the Omega Ensemble and Halcyon Ensemble, both Sydney based chamber music groups.
Vivien's love of all genres in music and her passion for improvisation saw her forming a jazz duo in 2016 with Matthew Dennett on piano. Focusing on the styles from 1930s-1950s this duo touches on vocal and instrumental songs from the true glory days of jazz and brings them to a whole new level of sophistication. The duo has performed in jazz venues in and around Sydney were recently invited to perform as part of the "Winter Magic Festival" in Katoomba NSW.
Vivien attained her Bachelor in classical violin performance in first class honours in Sydney at the Australian Institute of Music studying with Alice Waten. Subsequently, as a scholarship holder for two years, Vivien held a place at the Australian National Academy of Music in Melbourne Victoria. Vivien completed her performance studies in Berlin, Germany at the Hochscule fur Musik "Hanns Eisler" with the solo violinist and teacher, Antje Weithaas.
Awards Vivien has attained for her violin performance include the Order of Australia Scholarship, Dorothy Fraser Music Scholarship, Dorcas McClean Travelling Scholarship, Richard Goldner Music Scholarship, Marcus Edwards Violin Prize. Vivien has been broadcast on ABC Classic FM and 2MBS FM, and BBC 3 in the UK. Vivien is featured on the Children's Hospital's "Hush Collection" Volume 2 CD, which was produced in aid of seriously ill children.
Ewan Foster studied Violin with Vince Edwards, Alice Waten and Tor Fromhyr at the Canberra School of Music and the Australian National University. His research and performance experience spans several different genres, including historically based performances from the Baroque era, improvisational jazz techniques and live electronic music. Ewan performs as a freelance musician with ensembles such as the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra. He regularly tours Australia for chamber music projects and festivals on Violin and Viola. Ewan is passionate about education and is eternally grateful for all teachers that inspire great music making.
An active chamber musician, she was a founding member of the Argyle String Quartet, and has worked with the Omega Ensemble and Halcyon Ensemble, both Sydney based chamber music groups.
Vivien's love of all genres in music and her passion for improvisation saw her forming a jazz duo in 2016 with Matthew Dennett on piano. Focusing on the styles from 1930s-1950s this duo touches on vocal and instrumental songs from the true glory days of jazz and brings them to a whole new level of sophistication. The duo has performed in jazz venues in and around Sydney were recently invited to perform as part of the "Winter Magic Festival" in Katoomba NSW.
Vivien attained her Bachelor in classical violin performance in first class honours in Sydney at the Australian Institute of Music studying with Alice Waten. Subsequently, as a scholarship holder for two years, Vivien held a place at the Australian National Academy of Music in Melbourne Victoria. Vivien completed her performance studies in Berlin, Germany at the Hochscule fur Musik "Hanns Eisler" with the solo violinist and teacher, Antje Weithaas.
Awards Vivien has attained for her violin performance include the Order of Australia Scholarship, Dorothy Fraser Music Scholarship, Dorcas McClean Travelling Scholarship, Richard Goldner Music Scholarship, Marcus Edwards Violin Prize. Vivien has been broadcast on ABC Classic FM and 2MBS FM, and BBC 3 in the UK. Vivien is featured on the Children's Hospital's "Hush Collection" Volume 2 CD, which was produced in aid of seriously ill children.
Ewan Foster studied Violin with Vince Edwards, Alice Waten and Tor Fromhyr at the Canberra School of Music and the Australian National University. His research and performance experience spans several different genres, including historically based performances from the Baroque era, improvisational jazz techniques and live electronic music. Ewan performs as a freelance musician with ensembles such as the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra. He regularly tours Australia for chamber music projects and festivals on Violin and Viola. Ewan is passionate about education and is eternally grateful for all teachers that inspire great music making.
18 August
The Sydney Camerata
David Papp (oboe), Greg Taylor (bassoon),
Belinda McGlynn (pianoforte) &
Mathisha Panagoda (violoncello)
Orbit for Solo Cello (2013) - Philip Glass (1937 - )
Sonata for Bassoon and Violoncello K292 - WA Mozart (1756 - 1791)
1. Allegro 2. Andante 3. Allegro (1775)
Trio for Piano, Oboe and Bassoon FP. 43 - Francis Poulenc (1899 - 1963)
1. Presto 2. Andante 3. Rondo (1926)
The Sydney Camerata
David Papp (oboe), Greg Taylor (bassoon),
Belinda McGlynn (pianoforte) &
Mathisha Panagoda (violoncello)
Orbit for Solo Cello (2013) - Philip Glass (1937 - )
Sonata for Bassoon and Violoncello K292 - WA Mozart (1756 - 1791)
1. Allegro 2. Andante 3. Allegro (1775)
Trio for Piano, Oboe and Bassoon FP. 43 - Francis Poulenc (1899 - 1963)
1. Presto 2. Andante 3. Rondo (1926)
The Sydney Camerata was founded by Mathisha Panagoda in 2008 and has since performed throughout Sydney at venues including the City Recital Hall, Sydney Conservatorium, Seymour Centre, Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre and The Independent Theatre. They have also undertaken tours to North Queensland and Papua New Guinea. Sydney Camerata have performed on ABC Classic FM's Sunday Live and broadcast on Fine Music 102.5. Recently they have collaborated with the Sydney Chamber Choir, Bel A Cappella and performed with Nick Russoniello at the Bellingen Festival. The ensemble is highly versatile and aims to provide important performance opportunities for aspiring young professional musicians. It supports young composers through its annual composition fellowship program and endeavours to bring classical music to new audiences. More information is available on their website www.sydneycamerata.com or various social media channels including YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.
25 August
Nico Tjoelker (organ)
Praeludium in G Major - Nicolaus Bruhns (1665 - 1697)
Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme BWV 645 - J. S. Bach (1685 - 1750)
Sonata No. 6 in D, Op. 65 - Felix Mendelssohn (1809 - 1847)
1. Chorale and Variations on Vater unser im Himmlreich
Fantasia and Fugue in G Minor BWV 542 - J.S. Bach (1685 - 1750)
Nico Tjoelker (organ)
Praeludium in G Major - Nicolaus Bruhns (1665 - 1697)
Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme BWV 645 - J. S. Bach (1685 - 1750)
Sonata No. 6 in D, Op. 65 - Felix Mendelssohn (1809 - 1847)
1. Chorale and Variations on Vater unser im Himmlreich
Fantasia and Fugue in G Minor BWV 542 - J.S. Bach (1685 - 1750)
Nico Tjoelker is a student of organ performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he studies under Philip Swanton. Hailing from the United States, his love of the organ was first inspired at First Presbyterian Church in Bryan, Texas. He completed three summer courses at Baylor University with renowned organist, Dr. Joyce Jones. In summer 2011 he was awarded a scholarship to the Interlochen Music and Arts Camp in Michigan, where he studied under Dr. Thomas Bara.
In July 2016, Nico attended the Organ Scholar Experience course at Cambridge University, UK, and performed an international organ recital tour of five recitals in the UK and the Netherlands. In July 2017 Nico toured Europe with the organ students from the Sydney Conservatorium, playing many historic organs. Other recent recitals include a guest performance of the Saint-Saëns' Symphony No. 3 in C minor for the New South Wales Youth Orchestra's inaugural concert in 2015, performances at Sydney Town Hall for Young Organists' Day (2012, 2013, 2014, 2016), and the Organ Music Society of Sydney recital (2013 and 2016). He was awarded first place in the 2012 junior division organ competition in the Northern Beaches Eisteddfod in Sydney, first prize in the 2013 Sydney Organ Competition – Intermediate Section, and first prize in the 2016 Sydney Organ Competition – Open Section.
In addition to organ, Nico enjoys playing classical and jazz piano. In 2015, he won second place in the Kawai Composition Competition for his piano composition entitled Sydney CBD. In 2012, he was accepted into the Juilliard Winter Jazz School held in Melbourne. From 2012-2016, Nico served as the part-time organist of St. Andrew's Uniting Church in the Blue Mountains. Since 2017, Nico has served as the organ scholar at St. Stephen's Uniting Church, Sydney.
In July 2016, Nico attended the Organ Scholar Experience course at Cambridge University, UK, and performed an international organ recital tour of five recitals in the UK and the Netherlands. In July 2017 Nico toured Europe with the organ students from the Sydney Conservatorium, playing many historic organs. Other recent recitals include a guest performance of the Saint-Saëns' Symphony No. 3 in C minor for the New South Wales Youth Orchestra's inaugural concert in 2015, performances at Sydney Town Hall for Young Organists' Day (2012, 2013, 2014, 2016), and the Organ Music Society of Sydney recital (2013 and 2016). He was awarded first place in the 2012 junior division organ competition in the Northern Beaches Eisteddfod in Sydney, first prize in the 2013 Sydney Organ Competition – Intermediate Section, and first prize in the 2016 Sydney Organ Competition – Open Section.
In addition to organ, Nico enjoys playing classical and jazz piano. In 2015, he won second place in the Kawai Composition Competition for his piano composition entitled Sydney CBD. In 2012, he was accepted into the Juilliard Winter Jazz School held in Melbourne. From 2012-2016, Nico served as the part-time organist of St. Andrew's Uniting Church in the Blue Mountains. Since 2017, Nico has served as the organ scholar at St. Stephen's Uniting Church, Sydney.
