Here - Tyalgum Festival of Classical Music

The Tyalgum Festival of Classical Music was first held in
1991 after concert violinists, John Willison and Carmel
Kaine, fell under the acoustic spell of the Tyalgum Literary
Institute, otherwise known as the Tyalgum Hall.
Held each year on the first weekend of September in this
historic 1908 hall, the Festival has grown from a congenial
gathering of colleagues to now be recognised as one of
Australia’s premier classical events.
Over the past two decades, it has brought a stellar cast of
nationally and internationally renowned musicians to the
tiny Tweed Valley village of Tyalgum in Northern NSW.
Notable artists have included Roger Woodward, the
Australian String Quartet, soloists from the London
Symphony Orchestra, Russian pianist Tatiana Kolesova
and Brisbane’s renowned chamber orchestra, the
Camerata of St. John’s, led by charismatic violinist,
Brendan Joyce.
Celebrating 20 Years
The Festival is also renowned as a performance platform
for emerging artists who take their turn in the spotlight
each year at the Young Virtuosi concert, as well as being
invited to perform with seasoned professionals.
The three-day concert program is complemented by an
exhibition of Caldera Art, inspired by the environmental and
cultural values of the Mt Warning Wollumbin Caldera,
Tyalgum’s stunning backdrop.
Concert-goers explore the village’s beautiful surroundings
on guided walks and nature talks held throughout the
Festival and Sunday’s free community fair will bring locals,
visitors and musicians together.
Above all, the Tyalgum Festival programming is inspired by
the architecture of the old Tyalgum Hall with its acoustic
bloom, the extraordinary geographical location in the
caldera of an ancient volcano, the village setting and
people, the loyal and passionate audience, and of course
stellar musicians, both virtuoso and emerging.
ABOVE LEFT: Carmel
Kaine and John Willison
ABOVE RIGHT: Jenni
Hibbard, Music Director
LEFT: John and Carmel’s
last performance in
Tyalgum Hall, the
Schubert “Octet”, 2008
FACING PAGE: Tatiana
Kolesova, 2010 (also
2008)