"In 2026 Ensemble Q Australia embraces Australia to reach more people, more often"
Please note - the National Series and Regional tour details release on Wednesday 25 November. All Brisbane concerts are now live.
Welcome to the Ensemble Q Australia 2026 Concert Season.
We are thrilled to share a year of exceptional chamber music, performed in inspiring spaces across Australia. 2026 is a year of evolution and Ensemble Q Australia embraces Australia from 2026 onwards to reach more people, more often.
In 2026 we launch phase one of our national concert series, performing two programs in July and August in Sydney and Melbourne, in the beautiful Utzon Room at the Sydney Opera House and the Primrose Potter Salon at the Melbourne Recital Centre - both perfect locations for high quality chamber music.
Our main-stage Brisbane season, Sundays by the Lake, returns to the much-loved GHD Auditorium at UQ, where great chamber masterpieces sit alongside rarely heard gems.
Our Whiskey Bar Series remains a highlight, offering four intimate concerts featuring special guests including Helena Rathbone (ACO), and Brisbane’s own Glenn Christensen (Associate Concertmaster, QSO) and Doretta Balkizas (Head of Strings, UQ).
In July and August, we partner with ABC Classic presenter Ed le Brocq to tour a joyful program featuring Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet and Calvin Bowman’s Curly Pyjama Letters (Leunig) to audiences across Queensland, Victoria, Sydney and Melbourne - sharing the magic of chamber music far and wide.
Our celebrated immersive event, Step Inside the Music, returns to Sandgate Town Hall on 16 May. Building on last year’s success as Soundscapes & Stories, this unique one-day experience invites audiences into a deeper connection with music, guided by leading artists and emerging voices.
We warmly welcome leading violists Roger Benedict for two special May performances, and Benjamin Roskams, who joins us for a July–August residency. And we are delighted to welcome Anne Cawrse as our 2026 Composer in Residence. Her work will feature throughout the season, including a new commission for our regional and national tours.
We gratefully acknowledge our presenting partners and venues, including the UQ School of Music, Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Recital Centre, HOTA Gold Coast, Mackay Chamber Music Festival, and Brisbane City Council, among many others.
Warmest thanks to our extraordinary supporters - including major sponsors Professor Ian Frazer AC & Caroline Frazer and Dr Philip Bacon AO - and to Arts Queensland, whose generous support continues to strengthen our organisation for the long term.
Most of all, thank you to our audience, for embracing Ensemble Q Australia and sharing our journey. We look forward to seeing you at our concerts throughout 2026.
Trish & Paul Dean, Co-Artistic Directors
We are thrilled to share a year of exceptional chamber music, performed in inspiring spaces across Australia. 2026 is a year of evolution and Ensemble Q Australia embraces Australia from 2026 onwards to reach more people, more often.
In 2026 we launch phase one of our national concert series, performing two programs in July and August in Sydney and Melbourne, in the beautiful Utzon Room at the Sydney Opera House and the Primrose Potter Salon at the Melbourne Recital Centre - both perfect locations for high quality chamber music.
Our main-stage Brisbane season, Sundays by the Lake, returns to the much-loved GHD Auditorium at UQ, where great chamber masterpieces sit alongside rarely heard gems.
Our Whiskey Bar Series remains a highlight, offering four intimate concerts featuring special guests including Helena Rathbone (ACO), and Brisbane’s own Glenn Christensen (Associate Concertmaster, QSO) and Doretta Balkizas (Head of Strings, UQ).
In July and August, we partner with ABC Classic presenter Ed le Brocq to tour a joyful program featuring Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet and Calvin Bowman’s Curly Pyjama Letters (Leunig) to audiences across Queensland, Victoria, Sydney and Melbourne - sharing the magic of chamber music far and wide.
Our celebrated immersive event, Step Inside the Music, returns to Sandgate Town Hall on 16 May. Building on last year’s success as Soundscapes & Stories, this unique one-day experience invites audiences into a deeper connection with music, guided by leading artists and emerging voices.
We warmly welcome leading violists Roger Benedict for two special May performances, and Benjamin Roskams, who joins us for a July–August residency. And we are delighted to welcome Anne Cawrse as our 2026 Composer in Residence. Her work will feature throughout the season, including a new commission for our regional and national tours.
We gratefully acknowledge our presenting partners and venues, including the UQ School of Music, Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Recital Centre, HOTA Gold Coast, Mackay Chamber Music Festival, and Brisbane City Council, among many others.
Warmest thanks to our extraordinary supporters - including major sponsors Professor Ian Frazer AC & Caroline Frazer and Dr Philip Bacon AO - and to Arts Queensland, whose generous support continues to strengthen our organisation for the long term.
Most of all, thank you to our audience, for embracing Ensemble Q Australia and sharing our journey. We look forward to seeing you at our concerts throughout 2026.
Trish & Paul Dean, Co-Artistic Directors