Press Release
Creative Arts Fellowship National Library of Australia
Dr Miriam Hyde OBE, AO, is often remembered for her contributions to the Australian music education scene, as composer of exam music and patron of competitions. The typical picture such as in her Australian Biography, is of an older person. But she began as a teenage piano virtuoso, taking London by storm while playing her own piano concerti and others with England’s major orchestras and conductors, while still a student! Her early compositions are dramatic, painting vivid pictures of her mental health and personal experience of war.
Celia Craig is already known for narratives through live music with her Trio Tarrawatta, which began at the founding Homestead of South Australia, Collingrove. (Here playing music by Percy Grainger, one of Hyde’s influences, and with whom she had many musical connections.)
Tarrawatta recently performed four unpublished arrangements by Miriam Hyde. What is the background to these arrangements, and who were the mysterious Cecilian Trio for whom they were written?
How can we best tell her brilliant and unique story, and continue her legacy to inspire new generations of teenage South Australians to learn music?
Through this significant national Creative Fellowship, Craig will examine the original letters and manuscripts and create new performing editions to develop a new Tarrawatta program bringing Miriam Hyde’s unique character and virtuosity to greater public attention.
Australian Women in Music Award-winner Celia Craig to visit Mount Gambier Oct 12-14
An Arts South Australia-supported residency will bring three engaging and internationally acclaimed prizewinning musicians to the City for a community event exploring classical music through a program of interactive activities for all ages.
Oboist Celia Craig, winner at Australian Women in Music Awards 2023, cellist Thomas Marlin and pianist Michael Ierace, known together as Trio Tarrawatta, will present their
‘Songs without Words’ Live Music Residency in Wehl Street Theatre, offering
- Orchestral workshops with Limestone Coast Symphony Orchestra Thursday 7pm
- A drop in, interactive open rehearsal, between 2-4pm on Friday
- Free tryouts, instant repairs, sales, by Consortium Music- Saturday from 1130pam:
- Try the unique Howarth Junior Oboes, plus other instrument trials and repairs
- A live, interactive concert production on Saturday1pm, ‘Songs without Words’
- The concert features music by South Australian Anne Cawrse and Astor Piazolla
- One discount ticket accesses all events and half price individual music lessons
With partnership from Adelaide’s Consortium Music, ‘Songs Without Words’ residency will renew positive relationships with amateur, student musicians, local teachers, timed towards the end of the school holidays. Experts from Consortium will provide free repairs, sales, advice and guided instrument trials including beginner oboe lessons with Celia.
Winner of the Justice Elizabeth Fullarton “Excellence in Classical” Award 2023, Australian Women in Music Awards, Celia Craig’s previous locally-delivered projects in the area have included “Colours of Home” with Musica Viva twice touring in local schools, featured Soloist for Limestone Coast Symphony, and a schools residency with musicians supported by Musica Viva with the Australian Government Restart and Investment Fund, RISE.
Celia’s oboe teaching is supported by Stand Like Stone Foundation, while acclaimed cellist and teacher Thomas Marlin will offer individual lessons for all standards of string players, Elder Conservatorium staff member Michael Ierace focussing on keyboard and arranging skills. The Trio will offer an open rehearsal session on Friday where people can ask questions.
“This project ‘Songs without Words’ provides something for anyone- with or without music experience- our Saturday program starts with fixing and choosing instruments” said Celia
“People can just pop in while we rehearse at Wehl Street Theatre, receive personalised coaching, or explore the best instrument for their child, with Consortium Music before our lunchtime concert at 1pm. I look forward to reconnecting with music friends in Mount Gambier!”
More details, tickets, expressions of interest for half price instrumental lessons, are available through Humanitix, the not for profit using booking fees to fund education projects for the world’s most disadvantaged children to close the global education gap.
Editors Notes:
Tarrawatta’s name derives from the traditional Peremangk word for the Eden Valley, also from the first pioneer settlement where the Trio emerged; Collingrove Homestead, through Celia’s Resident Artist status with The National Trust of South Australia.
For everyone, especially those who feel classical is not for them, Tarrawatta Trio aims to lead a renaissance of professional chamber music with intimate, unforgettable concert experiences to demonstrate the value and power of the arts in society. Innovators of “Exclusive Musical Soiree” concept in North Adelaide Baroque Hall, Tarrawatta Trio are dedicated to creating intimate and unforgettable concert moments that resonate with audiences of all generations with the aim of showcasing South Australia’s rich cultural heritage. Their unique selling point is to develop immersive, authentic, unique and cultural activities representative of Australian culture through classical music.
“…chamber music playing at its best; persuasive and powerful, delivered with dynamic precision and appropriately driven and cantabile … so intimate … like eavesdropping on musicians playing for themselves…” ***** Limelight
For further information and interview requests for press, TV and radio, please contact:
Celia Craig – [email protected]
Email – [email protected]
A grant for performance development and recording, release and marketing of solo oboe work ‘Carmen Perpetuum’ commissioned by Celia Craig from South Australian composer Anne Cawrse, on the independent label Artaria.
With a new reflection to Ovid’s masterpiece through a deliberately female lens, Cawrse’s commission is the culmination of a long-awaited album: the premiere performance of Judith Weir’s Oboe Concerto commissioned by Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. Six Metamorphoses after Ovid by Benjamin Britten completes three solo oboe works, two dedicated, all recorded in Adelaide, culminating Celia’s covid-affected 2020 Fellowship.
Carmen Perpetuum continues Celia’s mid-career change from Principal Oboist, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, to independent neurodivergent (synesthetic) arts leader, leveraging her strong connection with Master of The Kings Music, Judith Weir CBE, a former oboist.
This strategy builds on two previously funded Arts SA projects:
- Fellowship ‘Exploring New Directions’ (2020) recording label Artaria, Patron Judith Weir
- ‘Metamorphosis’ (2021) with Indigenous photographer Finn Mellor
Both reflected Celia’s lifetime experience of synesthesia (mixing of sound and colour).
Celia’s recording in North Adelaide Baroque Hall develops her public relationship with the brand new hall, acoustic and its Monaco-based founder Julian Cochran. The recording will complete the album for an international digital launch in August alongside a major recital with Thomas Trotter at St Peters Cathedral.
Through continued recital collaboration with virtuoso organist, recipient of HM Queens Medal for Music, Thomas Trotter, performing to the international oboe community at IDRS conference in Thailand, creating a solo recording in North Adelaide Baroque Hall, Craig will develop her international reputation and networks while promoting South Australian culture and artistry.
Marketing and communications manager Andi Custudio will manage Celia’s marketing and socials overlooked by professional marketing communications strategist.
Through this four month period, Celia will build her international role as an advocate for South Australian classical music and female-led innovation.
Digitally Enhanced By