The 20th Annual

 Glebe Music Festival

In conjunction with The Glebe Society Inc

The Glebe Music Festival in Sydney, Australia, grew out of the many informal musical soirées held at the early 19th century building Margaretta Cottage since the late 1960s. The late Dr Vincent Sheppard built up a unique collection of keyboard instruments including an 18th century Dutch chamber organ, a 19th century Kapps grand piano, a Sperrhake harpsichord, a pedal piano and a clavichord. More recently a copy of a Rucker's Flemmish double harpsichord and an original Clementi piano have been added.

The underlying philosophy of the Glebe Music Festival is to bring together musicians at different stages of their careers in the intimate atmosphere of Margaretta Cottage. With large choirs this has expanded to the performance of major choral works at St Scholastica's Chapel in Glebe. Other venues are used including Gleebooks, St John's Bishopthorpe, the Great Hall at the University of Sydney and the Old Court House. Another principle is to juxtapose local and international musicians.

The Glebe Music Festival has hosted concerts by a Balinese gamelan; Andean groups (Cantolibre and Andean Dreams ); an African township jive band (Jive Kayana); a Nepalese rock concert (Sangeet 18^th November 2007); a pop concert; guitar groups such as the Katona Duo (12^th November 2004 and 13^th November 2004), Duo Agostino and the Conservatorium Guitar Ensemble; opera such as the Opera Project and Opera Under the Stars; choirs such as Coro Innominata ( 30^th November 2008, 2^nd December 2007, 3^rd December 2006, 4^th December 2005, 14^th November 2004, 17^th November 2002, 11^th November 2001, 11^th November 2000, 13^th December 1998, 16^th November 1997, 16^th November 1996, 18^th November 1995, 17^th November 1994, 14^th November 1993, 5^th December 1993, 10^th October 1992), Bel a Cappella ( 26^th November 2006, 27^th November 2005, 28^th November 2004, 16^th November 2003), the Choir of Christchurch St Lawrence ( 10^th November 2001, 19^th November 2000, 17^th November 1996, 19^th November 1995, 27^th November 1994, 1^st May 1993, 16^th October 1993, 26^th September 1992, 15^th June 1991), Sway, the Tall Poppeas , Another Roadside Attraction, the Royal School of Church Music, the University of Sydney Motet Choir, the Heavenly Light Quartet, the Café of the Gate of Salvation ( 12^th November 1995 and 6^th November 1994), Figaros, the Minisingers ( 20^th November 1991) and the Choir of St Andrew’s College; instrumental soloists such as Mark Davies, Hartmut Lindeman (viola), Jane Bolinowsky, Marshall McGuire, Nick Byrne, Philip Green, Tess Remy-Schumacher (cello), Trish O'Brien (cello), Chris Pidcock (cello), Rita Woolhouse (cello), Murilo Tanouye (guitar), Simon Powis (guitar 28^th November 2008, 20^th November 2005, 12^th and 20^th November 2004), Dan McKay (guitar), Jason Xanthoudakis (saxophone), Erin Helyard (harpsichord), Douglas Hollick (harpsichord 15^th November 2003 and 31^st August 1992), Diana Feldon and Monika Kornel (double harpsichord), Annette Christensen (violin 22^nd November 1991, 15^th June 1991), Natasha Rumiz (violin 3^rd November 1992, and 14^th November 1992, 23^rd November 1991, 17^th November 1990), Ronald Woodcock (violin), Stan Kornel (violin 23^rd November 2008, 10^th November 2001), Stephanie Giesajtis (piano 15^th November 1997 and 16^th November 1996) and Marco Rapetti (piano); Urban Excentrics; vocal soloists such as Clifford Grant, Matthew Stephens, Karana Nepe, Kirsti Whitlocke (13^th November 1993, 14^th November 1992, 23^rd November 1991), Toni Powell ( 23^rd November 1991, 15^th June 1991, 17^th November 1990), Donna Cain and Nicole Smeulders and Shu-Cheen Yu; jazz Quantum Theory; cabaret (10^th November 2007, 8^th November 2003, 9^th November 2002); chamber music such as the Albion Quartet, piano trio, the woodwind group Swirl, a saxophone quartet, Doulce Memoire, the Goodchild Ensemble (17^th November 1991, 15^th June 1991), Stringendo and the Reluctant Consort; brass (9^th November 2003 and 23^rd November 2003, 10^th November 2002, 15^th November 1996, 19^th November 1995); organ (9^th November 2008, 9^th November 2003, 10^th November 2002, 11^th November 2001, 17^th November 1996, 12^th November 1995, 6^th November 1994, 6^th and 13^th November 1993, 3^rd November 1992, 19^th November 1991, 15^th June 1991 and 16^th June 1991, 18^th November 1990) and much more. Of particular note was the visit by the US Marine Forces Pacific Band in 2005. A constant partner is the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

There has been a series of “historical” concerts, recreations of concerts from the past or a focus on a particular historical aspect of music:

• A concert to celebrate the music of Ralph Vaughan Williams 50 years after his death and Olivier Messiaen 100 years after his birth
• Melos Kai Mythos: Greek Myths and Culture in Piano Music
• The six Solo Sonatas for violin Op. 27 of Eugene Ysaye
• From a New World – music from the American continent
• Two Chandos Anthems of Handel
• Fife and Drum
• Green and Pleasant Land - Pastoral Modes in England
• Music of the Baroque avante-garde
• Recreation of a concert by the Sydney Philharmonic Society of the 1830s
• Brass and organ
• Recreation of a Federation concert from 1901
• The Goldberg Variations
• Dutch, Russian, French and Spanish organ music

The Glebe Music Festival is fortunate in having been awarded a grant through the Quick Response Grant Program of the Council of the City of Sydney in 2005 and 2007. For this, the Glebe Music Festival is exceedingly grateful.

For further information please contact:
Mr EK McIntosh,

3/8 Russell Avenue,
Lindfield, NSW 2070

Phone 02-9416-6136