Camerata, Queensland’s own chamber orchestra, was set up 35 years ago without a conductor, drawing on the cream of string players from across the state. Under Artistic Director Brendan Joyce – interstate audiences may know him for his appearances with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and as leader of the Orchestra of the Antipodes – this top-notch 17-strong group is based at Brisbane’s QPAC.

Each year it goes on a regional tour and included in the programme are works written for the orchestra by local composers. Ten of these pieces, collated over the years, are featured in an excellent album, Sunshine Sounds, on the ABC Classic label. Each of them reflects landscapes, wildlife and the character of various parts of Queensland.

Young Brisbane composer John Rotar evokes the vastness of the western grasslands; Samuel Dickenson reflects on the past and present of Fraser Island, while Alexander Voltz pays tribute to the gemfield workers and Connor D’Netto captures a lovely pastoral feel with his Air and Fantasy about the country round Charleville.