Australian Art Orchestra

For the last 25 years, the Australian Art Orchestra (AAO) has achieved an unparalleled record of musical projects that express the energy of Australia’s cultural diversity. They present two special performances at this year’s Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival (hcmf//) as part of the UK/Australia Season 2021-22.

Australian Art Orchestra: Solos
Friday 25 November, 4pm
Bates Mill Photographic Studio
BOOK HERE

Fresh Water – Salt Walter (2022) (60’-70’) UK Premiere
Saturday 26 November 2022, 8pm
Bates Mill Blending Shed
BOOK HERE

As part of the UK/Australia Season, the project presents a diverse vision of contemporary Australia, in collaboration with next generation artists from the UK. Cross-cultural, contemporary, and unclassifiable in terms of genre, this is a project that breathes daring and optimism – the qualities we need for a post-COVID future.

Fresh Water – Salt Water builds on this legacy and creates an unprecedented meeting of musical cultures. Departing from the extraordinary practice of the Yolngu people, it creates an artistic space that is both ancient and cutting-edge. It projects an image of UK/Australia relationships as diverse, savvy, and forward-looking. It presents a contemporary vision enriched by a cross-pollination of cultures and showcases an ensemble that is diverse in age, gender and cultural backgrounds. It both celebrates ancient traditions and bravely builds a contemporary canon of musical works.

Produced by hcmf// supported by the British Council and the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as part of UK/Australia Season 2021-22; also supported by Australia Council for the Arts and Creative Victoria.