Calendar of Events

Festival Performance: Australian Sacred Voices – Laughter and Lament.
The Brisbane Chamber Choir presents a concert of leading Australian choral composers Nigel Butterley, Paul Dean, Ross Edwards, Michael Knopf, Clare Maclean, Matthew Orlovich, Stephen Leek, Andrew Schultz (including the premiere of Nunc Dimittis), Paul Stanhope (including the premiere of Ubi Caritas) and Joseph Twist
Admission: $20 (Concession $15) available at the door.

Welcome to the second BCCMF providing you an exciting opportunity to hear fine performances of contemporary sacred music in the amazing ambience of St John’s Cathedral. For many St John’s is the favourite among all the Australian cathedrals and sacred spaces. 

For those who missed the first festival the title may need some explanation. The phrase “contemporary church music” is confusing at many levels. Is it so-called “popular music? – No. Are their drum kits and guitars? – No.  Does it show the music that many churches present in church on a Sunday morning? – No.  

So what is it? The BCCMF presents recent sacred music that remains largely hidden to modern audiences because of the high standard of performance it requires. It shows us that many leading modern composers in this post-modern age still speak of the spiritual and the profound in their music. It allows us to experience faith and spirituality couched in a language appropriate to the age in which we live.  

And what will it sound like? Much of the music is sonorous and atmospheric, allowing for reflection and peace. Some is highly energized and rhythmically vital. Most is for unaccompanied choir, but some is accompanied by the wonderful St John’s Cathedral organ. In fact the music sounds just like the music one would expect to hear in public concerts by leading choir around the world, in this case packaged with a common theme and placed within one exciting festival. 

Download Festival Brochure

All events are in St John’s Cathedral, 373 Ann St, Brisbane 4000

Enquiries phone 33653500 (office hours)

The Dean of Brisbane – The Very Reverend Dr. Peter Catt
Festival Director – Graeme Morton, Director of Choral Music, St Johns Cathedral
Festival Organist – Michael Fulcher, Organist St John’s Cathedral