Made a Member of the Order of Australia in the King’s Birthday Honours this week, festival director, composer and cellist Iain Grandage now has a new job to go with it: Director of Programming at Melbourne Recital Centre.

The appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Melbourne Recital Centre as it prepares for significant organisational expansion with the launch of its new performance space The Peter and Ruth McMullin Beacon in 2026 and the completion of Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation in 2028.

Iain Grandage. Photo supplied

Grandage brings exceptional artistic vision and enterprising expertise to the role, having recently completed a five-year tenure as Artistic Director of Perth Festival.

Said Grandage: “I’m deeply honoured to join Melbourne Recital Centre at such an exciting and pivotal time in its evolution. The Centre’s commitment to live music experiences that transform lives and enhance Victoria’s live music community resonates deeply with my own artistic and curatorial philosophy.”

“The opportunities ahead – with new spaces, partnerships, and the broader precinct transformation – present a wonderful canvas for reimagining what’s possible in live music presentation.”

Melbourne Recital Centre CEO Sandra Willis said: “Iain’s appointment is a significant milestone...