Seven young ensembles have worked throughout the year with some of Australia’s finest chamber musicians on one piece of classical music. The repertoire ranges from a traditional folk tune and Shostakovich to a highly charged piece by American composer Eric Ewazen and a jazz-inspired work by Australian composer Stuart Greenbaum.

Five workshops were conducted throughout the year with four talented and experienced mentors: Irina Morozova and Dene Olding, from The Goldner String Quartet, Catherine McCorkill, a clarinetist who is best known for her work with ACO and Australia Ensemble, and Robert Johnson, who retired this year as Principal Horn from Sydney Symphony, and is an acclaimed chamber musician.

Local music teachers – Antony Featherby, Robyn Godfrey, Mary Mitchell and Rhonda Watt – provided ongoing guidance for the young musicians in between workshops.

“We are very proud to showcase the work of these amazing young musicians in the terrific acoustic of the opera house in Gulgong,” Nicky Boud, Chief Executive of Huntington Estate Music Festival, said.

“Many had not played chamber music before. It’s difficult working musically with others in a small ensemble but they really rose to the challenge.”

16-year-old Hannah Boland who is a pianist said, “It was wonderful to get under the skin of a piece artistically and to study a work in such detail with experienced mentors.

13-year-old Lucinda Lillis who plays the flute said, “The program has given me a lot more musical awareness.”

The Challenge is part of Huntington Estate’s Music Development Program, which aims to foster a love of classical music in the community. Four of the youth ensembles performed for the Huntington Music Festival audience in The Barrel Room on Friday, November 24.

Tickets for the Huntington Ensemble Showcase Performance at Prince of Wales Opera House Gulgong are $10 and available at the door.