This year’s festival plays every corner of the Central West. Lior and Nomad String Quartet open at the Banksia Pavilion with Compassion and selections from The Blue Parade; Gryphon Baryton Trio performs Haydn in original instrumentation at Boree Cabonne Historic Homestead; tenor Andrew Goodwin and pianist Simon Tedeschi fill Orange Uniting Church with songs from the silver screen; and Ensemble Offspring brings Songbirds to Millthorpe restaurant Tonic, featuring music by First Nations composers Brenda Gifford and Nardi Simpson alongside Gerard Brophy, Robert Davidson, Alice Humphries, Fiona Loader, Ella Macens and Caitlin Yeo.

Limelight Editor’s Choice

Songbirds is a vibrant celebration of Australia’s unique avian soundscape, brought to life through chamber works commissioned by Ensemble Offspring from a flock of Australian composers. Birds of all shapes and sizes—from playful lorikeetsto the haunting tawny frogmouth—have long inspired mimicry, homage and creative reflection.

Presented by Lamorna Nightingale (flutes), Jason Noble (clarinets) and Claire Edwardes (percussion), this evocative program features works by First Nations composers Brenda Gifford, Nardi Simpson alongside Fiona Loader, Caitlin Yeo and more. With rich textures, rhythmic flair and unique birdcall samples, Songbirds is a soaring tribute to the magic of our feathered friends.