Sydney’s Orpheus Quintet named 2026 AFCM Fellowship Ensemble

One of the most prestigious opportunities for emerging Australian ensembles has just been awarded, with Sydney’s&nbsp;Orpheus Quintet&nbsp;named as the&nbsp;2026 Australian Festival of Chamber Music’s Fellowship Ensemble. More imagery&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/ew6er2jdruszg8asnh6g9/AN0yrCSOEqf8BWRoXerqDVs?rlkey=ca22uiyxyiswymatm83iti7ku&amp;st=5g93dzrg&amp;dl=0" target="_blank">here</a>

Hot off their success in this year’s Australian Festival of Chamber Music’s (AFCM)&nbsp;2025 Pathways International Masterclasses Program, where they wowed audiences in Townsville-Gurambilbarra, these five extraordinary young wind players –&nbsp;Kara Thorpe&nbsp;(flute),&nbsp;Gahyun Lee&nbsp;(oboe),&nbsp;Justin Wang&nbsp;(clarinet),&nbsp;Dylan Roberts&nbsp;(bassoon) and&nbsp;Jude Austen Kaup&nbsp;(French horn) - have been hand-picked for the life-changing Fellowship.

The Fellowship Ensemble program will see Orpheus Quintet swap the city lights of Sydney for the tropics of North Queensland, sharing their music with thousands of school students, bringing free concerts to regional towns, and finally stepping onto the stage of the internationally acclaimed AFCM in Cairns-Gimuy in 2026,&nbsp; performing alongside some of the world’s greatest chamber musicians.

The Quintet will also participate in the inaugural AFCM Emerging Composers Program. The selected 2026 Emerging Composer will be commissioned to create a new work for the Orpheus Quintet as part of their AFCM Fellowship program, which they will perform in the 2026 Outreach Tour, on the AFCM stage, and as a studio recording project.

Guided by mentors including AFCM Pathways Program Director and clarinet virtuoso Lloyd van’t Hoff, Pathways Program Manager Nick Duff, and Artistic Director Jack Liebeck, the Orpheus Quintet is about to embark on a year that will shape their artistry and launch their careers on the national stage.

AFCM Pathways Program Director Lloyd van’t Hoff&nbsp;said that amongst this year’s ensembles, the Orpheus Quintet stood out as the group most ready to take the next step.

“The Orpheus Quintet not only demonstrated a professional level of musicianship but also fully embraced the professional development opportunities and showed clear vision and ambition for their ensemble’s future. Importantly, they are high-level performers and generous colleagues and collaborators, making them both standouts for the mainstage, but as ambassadors for our outreach program,” he said.

AFCM Artistic Director Jack Liebeck&nbsp;said he was thrilled the Orpheus Quintet had been chosen as the AFCM Fellowship Ensemble for 2026.

“They so impressed us with their musicianship and skill during our Pathways classes and performances that I can't wait to see how they develop over the next year. Featuring them in 2026 will give them huge impetus to go from strength to strength over the next year and I can't wait to see how they perform and grow. I am extremely excited to be able to showcase their talent alongside our superstar musicians in the main Festival program from whom I know they will gain so much knowledge and&nbsp;experience.&nbsp;

Jude Austen Kaup&nbsp;from the&nbsp;Orpheus Quintet&nbsp;said it was a great privilege to be selected as the 2026 Fellowship Ensemble.

“AFCM is an exciting festival which pushes the boundaries of chamber music and we are looking forward to collaborating with other festival musicians and giving back to the local community through outreach, as together we help shape the future of chamber music in Australia,” he said.

“We formed while studying at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and were drawn together by our passion for wind quintet music. The Orpheus Quintet takes inspiration from the mythical Greek figure, Orpheus, a musician renowned for his storytelling ability and emotional sincerity. We look forward to doing just this throughout the 2026 year with AFCM.”

The future of Australian chamber music has never sounded brighter.

Sydney’s Orpheus Quintet named 2026 AFCM Fellowship EnsembleOne of the most prestigious opportunities for emerging Australian ensembles has just been awarded, with Sydney’s&nbsp;Orpheus Quintet&nbsp;named as the&nbsp;2026 Australian Festival of Chamber Music’s Fellowship Ensemble. More imagery&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/ew6er2jdruszg8asnh6g9/AN0yrCSOEqf8BWRoXerqDVs?rlkey=ca22uiyxyiswymatm83iti7ku&amp;st=5g93dzrg&amp;dl=0" target="_blank">here</a>Hot off their success in this year’s Australian Festival of Chamber Music’s (AFCM)&nbsp;2025 Pathways International Masterclasses Program, where they wowed audiences in Townsville-Gurambilbarra, these five extraordinary young wind players –&nbsp;Kara Thorpe&nbsp;(flute),&nbsp;Gahyun Lee&nbsp;(oboe),&nbsp;Justin Wang&nbsp;(clarinet),&nbsp;Dylan Roberts&nbsp;(bassoon) and&nbsp;Jude Austen Kaup&nbsp;(French horn) - have been hand-picked for the life-changing Fellowship.The Fellowship Ensemble program will see Orpheus Quintet swap the city lights of Sydney for the tropics of North Queensland, sharing their music with thousands of school students, bringing free concerts to regional towns, and finally stepping onto the stage of the internationally acclaimed AFCM in Cairns-Gimuy in 2026,&nbsp; performing alongside some of the world’s greatest chamber musicians.The Quintet will also participate in the inaugural AFCM Emerging Composers Program. The selected 2026 Emerging Composer will be commissioned to create a new work for the Orpheus Quintet as part of their AFCM Fellowship program, which they will perform in the 2026 Outreach Tour, on the AFCM stage, and as a studio recording project.Guided by mentors including AFCM Pathways Program Director and clarinet virtuoso Lloyd van’t Hoff, Pathways Program Manager Nick Duff, and Artistic Director Jack Liebeck, the Orpheus Quintet is about to embark on a year that will shape their artistry and launch their careers on the national stage.AFCM Pathways Program Director Lloyd van’t Hoff&nbsp;said that amongst this year’s ensembles, the Orpheus Quintet stood out as the group most ready to take the next step.“The Orpheus Quintet not only demonstrated a professional level of musicianship but also fully embraced the professional development opportunities and showed clear vision and ambition for their ensemble’s future. Importantly, they are high-level performers and generous colleagues and collaborators, making them both standouts for the mainstage, but as ambassadors for our outreach program,” he said.AFCM Artistic Director Jack Liebeck&nbsp;said he was thrilled the Orpheus Quintet had been chosen as the AFCM Fellowship Ensemble for 2026.“They so impressed us with their musicianship and skill during our Pathways classes and performances that I can't wait to see how they develop over the next year. Featuring them in 2026 will give them huge impetus to go from strength to strength over the next year and I can't wait to see how they perform and grow. I am extremely excited to be able to showcase their talent alongside our superstar musicians in the main Festival program from whom I know they will gain so much knowledge and&nbsp;experience.&nbsp;Jude Austen Kaup&nbsp;from the&nbsp;Orpheus Quintet&nbsp;said it was a great privilege to be selected as the 2026 Fellowship Ensemble.“AFCM is an exciting festival which pushes the boundaries of chamber music and we are looking forward to collaborating with other festival musicians and giving back to the local community through outreach, as together we help shape the future of chamber music in Australia,” he said.“We formed while studying at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and were drawn together by our passion for wind quintet music. The Orpheus Quintet takes inspiration from the mythical Greek figure, Orpheus, a musician renowned for his storytelling ability and emotional sincerity. We look forward to doing just this throughout the 2026 year with AFCM.”The future of Australian chamber music has never sounded brighter.

Music

When Composers Collide: Bach Off, Brahms!

The Staves are drawn for this year’s Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM) and

Artistic Director Jack Liebeck is bringing some of classical music’s biggest beefs to the stage!

From the polite applause of concert halls to passive-aggressive piano sonatas and seriously shady letters, classical music has had its fair share of beef. Forget Kanye vs. Taylor Swift – the OGs of musical rivalry wore waistcoats, carried quills, and composed sonatas with side-eye.

This July, the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville-Gurambilbarra will bring them all together in one gloriously dramatic, harmony-breaking showdown:&nbsp;Duelling Composers: Staves Drawn!

We all know the Rolling Stones vs. The Beatles and Oasis vs. Blur. But how about&nbsp;Tchaikovsky&nbsp;calling&nbsp;Brahms&nbsp;a “conceited mediocrity”? Or Brahms famously dozing off during&nbsp;Liszt’s&nbsp;epic sonata? The egos were enormous, the talent even more so.

One hated the other's symphonies. The other probably didn’t notice. Tchaikovsky once said of Brahms:&nbsp;"It angers me that this conceited mediocrity is regarded as a genius."&nbsp;Brahms once fell asleep during one of Liszt’s performances.

Both French, both brilliant, both accused of copying each other. Critics often mistook their work, much to their mutual frustration. Ravel once said, “Debussy's music is a beautiful sunset mistaken for dawn.”

Fuelled by legend and Hollywood, the drama between these two has sparked centuries of speculation.

It wasn’t just about music—it was a philosophical war and they threw daggers… through symphonies.

To modern day - Philip Glass vs. Steve Reich

Minimalist maestros, former classmates, then... the silent treatment for 40 years.In a true story: they once ran a furniture-moving company together! Their cold war ended in 2012 with a handshake and a performance.

AFCM Artistic Director Jack Liebeck says, bring the duels on! “Duelling Composers: Staves Drawn!&nbsp;is AFCM’s mischievous musical mash-up of clashing egos and colliding styles. It’s fun, and surprisingly relevant. Because whether it’s 1785 or 2025, musicians just can’t resist a little drama. Don’t miss this rare chance to enjoy centuries of sass, spite, and symphonies—all played with passion and precision by the incredible artistic flying in from all around the world,” he said.

🎻&nbsp;WHAT:&nbsp;Duelling Composers: Staves Drawn🎻&nbsp;WHEN: Wednesday 30 July, 7.30pm🎻&nbsp;WHERE: Townsville Civic Theatre 🎻&nbsp;WHY: Because musical feuds are timeless, delicious – and strangely inspiring.

Tickets on sale at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.afcm.com.au/" target="_blank">www.afcm.com.au</a>&nbsp;| Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | #afcm

Options for full Festival passes include Gold and Gold Plus subscriptions, or pick and choose concerts with a Silver or Silver Plus subscription, plus three-night holiday packages at afcm.com.au

AFCM principal partners include Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and Arts Queensland, and Townsville City Council. AFCM is supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, and features on the&nbsp;It’s Live! In Queensland&nbsp;events calendar.

When Composers Collide: Bach Off, Brahms!The Staves are drawn for this year’s Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM) andArtistic Director Jack Liebeck is bringing some of classical music’s biggest beefs to the stage!From the polite applause of concert halls to passive-aggressive piano sonatas and seriously shady letters, classical music has had its fair share of beef. Forget Kanye vs. Taylor Swift – the OGs of musical rivalry wore waistcoats, carried quills, and composed sonatas with side-eye.This July, the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville-Gurambilbarra will bring them all together in one gloriously dramatic, harmony-breaking showdown:&nbsp;Duelling Composers: Staves Drawn!We all know the Rolling Stones vs. The Beatles and Oasis vs. Blur. But how about&nbsp;Tchaikovsky&nbsp;calling&nbsp;Brahms&nbsp;a “conceited mediocrity”? Or Brahms famously dozing off during&nbsp;Liszt’s&nbsp;epic sonata? The egos were enormous, the talent even more so.Tchaikovsky vs. Brahms vs. LisztOne hated the other's symphonies. The other probably didn’t notice. Tchaikovsky once said of Brahms:&nbsp;"It angers me that this conceited mediocrity is regarded as a genius."&nbsp;Brahms once fell asleep during one of Liszt’s performances.Debussy vs. RavelBoth French, both brilliant, both accused of copying each other. Critics often mistook their work, much to their mutual frustration. Ravel once said, “Debussy's music is a beautiful sunset mistaken for dawn.”Mozart vs. SalieriFuelled by legend and Hollywood, the drama between these two has sparked centuries of speculation.Brahms vs. WagnerIt wasn’t just about music—it was a philosophical war and they threw daggers… through symphonies.To modern day - Philip Glass vs. Steve ReichMinimalist maestros, former classmates, then... the silent treatment for 40 years.In a true story: they once ran a furniture-moving company together! Their cold war ended in 2012 with a handshake and a performance.AFCM Artistic Director Jack Liebeck says, bring the duels on! “Duelling Composers: Staves Drawn!&nbsp;is AFCM’s mischievous musical mash-up of clashing egos and colliding styles. It’s fun, and surprisingly relevant. Because whether it’s 1785 or 2025, musicians just can’t resist a little drama. Don’t miss this rare chance to enjoy centuries of sass, spite, and symphonies—all played with passion and precision by the incredible artistic flying in from all around the world,” he said.🎻&nbsp;WHAT:&nbsp;Duelling Composers: Staves Drawn🎻&nbsp;WHEN: Wednesday 30 July, 7.30pm🎻&nbsp;WHERE: Townsville Civic Theatre 🎻&nbsp;WHY: Because musical feuds are timeless, delicious – and strangely inspiring. Australian Festival of Chamber Music25 July – 2 AugustTickets on sale at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.afcm.com.au/" target="_blank">www.afcm.com.au</a>&nbsp;| Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | #afcmOptions for full Festival passes include Gold and Gold Plus subscriptions, or pick and choose concerts with a Silver or Silver Plus subscription, plus three-night holiday packages at afcm.com.auAFCM principal partners include Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and Arts Queensland, and Townsville City Council. AFCM is supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, and features on the&nbsp;It’s Live! In Queensland&nbsp;events calendar.

Art Culture

Bach Off, Brahms! The Staves are drawn for this year’s Australian Festival of Chamber Music

From Practice Room to the Performance Stage&nbsp;

Applications are NOW OPEN for the 2025 Australian Festival of Chamber Music International Masterclasses Program

Applications are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.afcm.com.au/discover/education/discover/education/afcm-winterschool/" target="_blank">NOW OPEN</a>&nbsp;for young and emerging musicians (individuals and in ensembles) from across the country to register for the Australian Festival of Chamber Music’s (AFCM) International Masterclasses Program, led by music maker, clarinettist, chamber musician, collaborator and educator&nbsp;Lloyd van’t Hoff, who is a past ABC Symphony Australia Young Performer of the Year.

Photos: The Andromeda Quartet which took part in the Masterclass Program in 2024, and the program leader Lloyd van’t Hoff in Townsville

Held in Townsville-Gurambilbarra in North Queensland from 18 July - 1 August, before and during the AFCM, the International Masterclasses program is an immersive experience for young chamber musicians, offering direct mentorship from world-class artists, chamber music training, and professional development opportunities through lessons, public and private masterclasses, and performances, while also providing industry insights from leading musicians and arts professionals.

Program highlights include individual lessons from artists including&nbsp;AFCM Artistic Director Jack Liebeck&nbsp;(violin),&nbsp;Ana-Maria Vera&nbsp;(piano) and&nbsp;Lloyd Van't Hoff&nbsp;(clarinet), group instrumental classes and coaching sessions led by AFCM artists and faculty members, interactive group discussions and review sessions in the Chamber Music Forum, professional development seminars from industry experts, individual career guidance from mentors, public Masterclass participation and a final showcase performance – the International Masterclasses Concert at the Townsville Civic Theatre. Through support from the Ian Potter Foundation, limited funding is available to assist with participation costs, on application.

Interested musicians can apply at afcm.com.au, by calling 07 4771 4144 or by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nick.duff@afcm.com.au" target="_blank">nick.duff@afcm.com.au</a>

From Practice Room to the Performance Stage&nbsp;Applications are NOW OPEN for the 2025 Australian Festival of Chamber Music International Masterclasses ProgramApplications are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.afcm.com.au/discover/education/discover/education/afcm-winterschool/" target="_blank">NOW OPEN</a>&nbsp;for young and emerging musicians (individuals and in ensembles) from across the country to register for the Australian Festival of Chamber Music’s (AFCM) International Masterclasses Program, led by music maker, clarinettist, chamber musician, collaborator and educator&nbsp;Lloyd van’t Hoff, who is a past ABC Symphony Australia Young Performer of the Year.Photos: The Andromeda Quartet which took part in the Masterclass Program in 2024, and the program leader Lloyd van’t Hoff in TownsvilleHeld in Townsville-Gurambilbarra in North Queensland from 18 July - 1 August, before and during the AFCM, the International Masterclasses program is an immersive experience for young chamber musicians, offering direct mentorship from world-class artists, chamber music training, and professional development opportunities through lessons, public and private masterclasses, and performances, while also providing industry insights from leading musicians and arts professionals.Program highlights include individual lessons from artists including&nbsp;AFCM Artistic Director Jack Liebeck&nbsp;(violin),&nbsp;Ana-Maria Vera&nbsp;(piano) and&nbsp;Lloyd Van't Hoff&nbsp;(clarinet), group instrumental classes and coaching sessions led by AFCM artists and faculty members, interactive group discussions and review sessions in the Chamber Music Forum, professional development seminars from industry experts, individual career guidance from mentors, public Masterclass participation and a final showcase performance – the International Masterclasses Concert at the Townsville Civic Theatre. Through support from the Ian Potter Foundation, limited funding is available to assist with participation costs, on application.Interested musicians can apply at afcm.com.au, by calling 07 4771 4144 or by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nick.duff@afcm.com.au" target="_blank">nick.duff@afcm.com.au</a>Applications CLOSE ON MARCH 31, 2025.