Duo Aki to explore ‘before/now/after’ at Coffs Con

ONE of Australia’s most exciting alternative classical ensembles, Duo Aki, will present its “before/now/after” project at the Coffs Harbour Regional Conservatorium on Sunday 22 March.

Duo Aki (ジュオ秋), featuring Coffs Con alum Eden Annesley (violin/looper pedal) and Lola Schuele (saxophone/shakuhachi), explores the intersection of Australian and Japanese classical and contemporary music.

The Con will host a workshop at 11am and a concert at 2pm.

The workshop

Designed for HSC composition and performance students, the interactive workshop focuses on Australian music for strings, woodwind and electronics.

Students will explore music analysis and composition techniques, how to select repertoire, and what it’s like to collaborate with living composers.

Eden and Lola will also share insights into their free improvisation and co-composition processes, their experiences living and working in Japan, the unique sound world of the shakuhachi, and how live looping allows them to bridge classical and contemporary styles.

The concert

Traversing the duo’s experiences living in Japan, “before/now/after” amplifies the voices of emerging and established Australian female composers alongside Japanese folk song and original works.

Inspired by themes of cultural and environmental change, the program unfolds in a three-part cyclical structure responding to the Osaka World Expo Australian Pavilion theme of “Chasing the Sun”.

Before evokes a sunrise across the vast Australian landscape.

Now centres on Duo Aki’s own artistic voice and personal expression.

After looks toward the future, reflecting on the potential consequences of the choices we make today.

Tickets can be purchased through the Coffs Con’s website coffscon.org.au or call 66521592.

Adults: $40

Concession: $35

Under 18’s: $20

Workshop Adult: $20

Workshop Student/Concession: $15