AVÉ is four of Australia’s finest, internationally renowned vocalists, a treat to host for Goulburn here at the Hume Conservatorium. On their first national tour this year and soon to record their debut album, this is a concert we know Goulburn and surrounds does not want to miss. Katie Noonan, after extensive yet ambitious planning launched Australian Vocal Ensemble, or AVÉ, recruiting three extraordinarily talented Australian vocalists- Tenor Andrew Goodwin from Sydney, Mezzo-Soprano Fiona Campbell of Perth and Bass Baritone Andrew O’Connor, also of Sydney. Katie set out to illustrate Queensland’s creative leadership in creating a professional, classical vocal quartet, now uniquely the only one like it in Australia. Their uniquely crafted repertoire blends both old and new to demonstrate Australian music history and culture- from the old of spiritual late renaissance and early baroque, or the golden age of vocal polyphonic and quartet writing, to the new Australian music of the 20th and 21st century. This is a unique, valuable experience to explore a talented, crafted blend of new Australian performers, alongside Indigenous songs and Renaissance and Baroque pieces, all blended with brand new works. All programs feature new Australian music and engagement with our First Nations community. 

“‘Yes, we are dreaming big- starting a new arts organisation in the middle of a global pandemic, but as Uncle Kev Carmody so eloquently said, from little things, big things grow, and we have big and bold dreams.’ These dreams include employing singers, commissioning 10+ Australian composers per year, working with some 250 vocal students and 450 community singers each year, mentoring an emerging quartet, performing to 3500 regional audience members across Queensland and to a national metropolitan audience of more than 5000 each year.”