Composers:
Winner of the 2013 National Jazz Award and 2014 Bell Award prize winner Joe O'Connor is the composer of "Vignettes", a piece written specifically for the Penny Quartet; each of the four short movements are dedicated to a member of the group. The world premiere of "Vignettes" was filmed and recorded as a part of PQ's 2018 "Local Heroes" series at the Melbourne Recital Centre.
In 2019 PQ was engaged to workshop a commission from the University of Melbourne for premiere at the Melbourne Recital Centre, by young composer Julia Potter. "Belonging and Longing to Be" was premiered in February 2020.
Singers:
In 2019, Penny Quartet began in earnest an ongoing relationship with vocalist Georgie Darvidis. In 2020 they performed a unique version of George Butterworth's "Love Blows as the Wind Blows", usually performed by a Baritone.
in 2018, PQ worked with mezzo soprano Lotte Betts-Dean to present a program at a Play On series, including the Australian premiere of Nico Muhly's "So Many Things".
As part of the 2016 Melbourne Music Week and in partnership with the Melbourne Recital Centre, Penny Quartet worked with American singer-songwriter Zola Jesus to present songs newly arranged by Louise Woodward for string quartet and electronics. A review and highlights from this performance can be viewed via our MEDIA page, above.
Groups:
In 2016, Penny Quartet worked with Melbourne institution Bennetts Lane Big Band (presented in this project as "UNFIX") creating and recording music for voice, band and strings, culminating in an album and a live launch in 2017.
Penny Quartet enjoys an ongoing collaborative relationship with Ad Lib Collective, preparing and performing new Australian work with a focus on chamber performance and concert curation.
In 2018, PQ collaborated and recorded with producer and musician James Gilligan on a collaborative album, as part of a collective titled The Lost Horse Saloon. The album, "One Night Only", is available here.
ARIA album of the year nominees Flight Facilities engaged the quartet to create a live string backing for their performance at the 2015 ARIAs, after their hugely popular live program with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. The final product can be viewed via our MEDIA page, above.
Series:
Penny Quartet enjoys an ongoing relationship with Play On, as recitalists and collaborators.
Education
Penny Quartet is passionate about music education and regularly performs, coaches and workshops in schools across the country. Most notable of these projects was a 2015 residency in Bermagui and Bega, working with regional schools and more isolated groups of children in the area. Enquiries about future projects are always welcome via our CONTACT page, above.
Winner of the 2013 National Jazz Award and 2014 Bell Award prize winner Joe O'Connor is the composer of "Vignettes", a piece written specifically for the Penny Quartet; each of the four short movements are dedicated to a member of the group. The world premiere of "Vignettes" was filmed and recorded as a part of PQ's 2018 "Local Heroes" series at the Melbourne Recital Centre.
In 2019 PQ was engaged to workshop a commission from the University of Melbourne for premiere at the Melbourne Recital Centre, by young composer Julia Potter. "Belonging and Longing to Be" was premiered in February 2020.
Singers:
In 2019, Penny Quartet began in earnest an ongoing relationship with vocalist Georgie Darvidis. In 2020 they performed a unique version of George Butterworth's "Love Blows as the Wind Blows", usually performed by a Baritone.
in 2018, PQ worked with mezzo soprano Lotte Betts-Dean to present a program at a Play On series, including the Australian premiere of Nico Muhly's "So Many Things".
As part of the 2016 Melbourne Music Week and in partnership with the Melbourne Recital Centre, Penny Quartet worked with American singer-songwriter Zola Jesus to present songs newly arranged by Louise Woodward for string quartet and electronics. A review and highlights from this performance can be viewed via our MEDIA page, above.
Groups:
In 2016, Penny Quartet worked with Melbourne institution Bennetts Lane Big Band (presented in this project as "UNFIX") creating and recording music for voice, band and strings, culminating in an album and a live launch in 2017.
Penny Quartet enjoys an ongoing collaborative relationship with Ad Lib Collective, preparing and performing new Australian work with a focus on chamber performance and concert curation.
In 2018, PQ collaborated and recorded with producer and musician James Gilligan on a collaborative album, as part of a collective titled The Lost Horse Saloon. The album, "One Night Only", is available here.
ARIA album of the year nominees Flight Facilities engaged the quartet to create a live string backing for their performance at the 2015 ARIAs, after their hugely popular live program with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. The final product can be viewed via our MEDIA page, above.
Series:
Penny Quartet enjoys an ongoing relationship with Play On, as recitalists and collaborators.
Education
Penny Quartet is passionate about music education and regularly performs, coaches and workshops in schools across the country. Most notable of these projects was a 2015 residency in Bermagui and Bega, working with regional schools and more isolated groups of children in the area. Enquiries about future projects are always welcome via our CONTACT page, above.