In 2025, Ensemble Offspring turns 30. That’s 30 years of premieres, commissioning, new music and platforming Australian voices since the group’s humble origins in the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Thirty years also brings in a few new changes for the ensemble: the ensemble has opened two new Associate artists positions, taken up by double bassist Benjamin Ward and percussionist Niki Johnson. Pianist Ronan Apcar has also been named as EO’s 2025 Hatched Emerging Artist.

Claire Edwardes. Photo supplied

2025 also marks the first year since EO brought its Noisy Women Commissions to a close, replaced with commitment to programming at least 50 percent female-identifying composers across its program.

With the 2025 program sitting at about 56 percent female composers, it’s a promise EO has delivered on, making it one of the only professional Australian ensembles to reach such a benchmark. Twelve of the works (with more to be announced) are world premieres from Australian composers. (For these reasons and more,...