Following on from the success of a sold-out inaugural festival in 2018, the 2019 MCMF returns in a bigger and better format. The festival’s four concerts are again being held in the intimate setting of the heritage-listed Mackay Masonic Temple in the centre of Mackay.
The festival showcases 10 of Australia’s (and the world’s) finest classical musicians in a series of performances, masterclasses and educational workshops. The artists featured regularly play with the finest ensembles in the world, such as the Australian Chamber Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, and appear regularly at festivals nationally and internationally.
In 2019, the festival has expanded to feature more musicians, a wider range of repertoire, and most importantly, a greater reach of educational activities. The expanded educational portion of the festival includes masterclasses for string, piano and woodwind students, as well as workshops for local piano teachers, and community musical groups.
Despite being a thriving regional community with a strong cultural and arts scene, the number of classical music events in Mackay is disproportionally small, and the access to professional quality chamber music is basically non-existent. The MCMF is unique for Mackay, as it provides an opportunity for audiences who have never heard, nor attended live chamber music performances to be immersed in music-making of the highest quality. The MCMF is important, as it fosters community development through the arts and music, and expands the access to and participation in culture in the region. All four concerts are being held in an intimate setting, and in a location that encourages attendance for all members of the community.
The 2019 MCMF places a strong emphasis on lifelong learning by providing educational activities not usually available in the Mackay region. These high quality artistic experiences provide much-needed inspiration for young, regional-based piano, strings and wind students and their teachers.
Such costs this year include: payment of artists for performances and educational activities, payment of piano technician and interior designer; flights and accommodation; piano transportation; insurances; marketing costs; venue related expenses, including lighting and staging hire, as well as other running expenses. Any donation will ensure the continued success of this festival, and enables ticket prices to be kept low so as to encourage as many people as possible to attend.
Your contribution will make a significant difference to the local arts community in Mackay and surrounding regions, and will help make this festival an ongoing success. Please visit our website for all the details.
