The 2025 Mackay Chamber Music Festival opens with a breathtaking exploration of transformation, light, and intensity. The evening begins with Wojciech Kilar’s Orawa, an electrifying work that surges with the untamed spirit of the Carpathian Mountains. Guitar virtuoso Slava Grigoryan takes center stage for Vivaldi’s Lute Concerto in D major, a gem…

Two of Australia’s most beloved musicians, Slava and Sharon Grigoryan, invite you into their place—a deeply personal program they have handpicked to reflect their musical journey, their inspirations, and what it means to feel at home. This intimate recital is a meeting of guitar and cello, voices entwined in music that…

The Orava Quartet — Australia’s only string quartet to record for the legendary Deutsche Grammophon — makes their highly anticipated debut at MCMF with a program that spans centuries of music, from the Renaissance to the modern day. The concert opens with two stunning vocal-inspired works by Gesualdo and Josquin des…

Local violinists and violists will perform in masterclasses with one of Australia's leading musicians, violinist and UQ Lecturer, Doretta Balkizas. 9:00 – 11:00am – Upper Strings Masterclass – violin and viola players - facilitated by Doretta Balkizas If you’d like to develop your skills as a musician and instrumentalist, or…

Local cellists and double bass students will perform in masterclasses with one of Australia’s finest musicians, cellist Sharon Grigoryan, Associate Principal Cellist of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. 9:00 – 11:00am – Lower Strings Masterclass – cello and double bass - facilitated by Sharon Grigoryan If you’d like to develop your…

Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music Boundary Road, Ooralea Local piano students have the opportunity to perform in a masterclass with leading Australian pianist, educator and chamber musician, Angela Turner. 9:00 – 11:00am - Piano Masterclass - facilitated by Angela Turner If you’d like to develop your skills as a musician…

Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music Boundary Road, Ooralea Local guitar students will have the opportunity to perform in a masterclass with one of the most respected international guitar soloists - Slava Grigoryan. 9:00 – 11:00am – Guitar Masterclass – facilitated by Slava Grigoryan If you’d like to develop your skills…

The Mackay Chamber Music Festival’s final concert is a vibrant celebration of music, community, and collaboration. Topping the program is Dvořák’s beloved Piano Quintet in A Major, a masterpiece brimming with lyrical warmth, folk-inspired melodies, and fiery energy—one of the great gems of the chamber music repertoire. The evening culminates in…