Of course you have heard of Brisbane’s Katie Noonan. She is the winner five ARIAs (and has been nominated 27 times), she has produced 20 albums, had seven platinum records, and has been named as one the greatest Australian singers of all time. Well now she is launching AVÉ– Australian Vocal Ensemble – a national first acapella quartet focused on celebrating old and new Australian stories.
AVÉ is comprised of Katie in addition to three extraordinary, internationally renowned artists in Mezzo-Soprano Fiona Campbell, Tenor Andrew Goodwin and Baritone David Greco.
“There is nothing like AVÉ in Australia. We plan on being an elite chamber ensemble of international excellence, but one that is warm and welcoming to all. We will champion new Australian works on every tour, engage with our First Nations Communities at every concert and engage with local communities at every concert,” said Katie, who said creating AVÉ had been a dream of hers for years.
“I want to illustrate Queensland’s integrous creative leadership by establishing Australia’s only, professional classical vocal quartet. I believe it is vital to use the human voice to tell the stories of our time and place, and to encourage our audiences to use their voice,” said Katie.
“Some of the greatest internationally lauded classical voices in the world come from Queensland including singers like Gladys Moncrief OBE, Donald Smith OBE, Margreta Elkins AM and the QLD Conservatorium’s own Lisa Gasteen AO. I want to celebrate that extraordinary tradition and make our mark on the national and international stage, alongside three extraordinary fellow artists.”
Katie describes that AVÉ’s repertoire, like the Australian culture, would be a unique mix of the old and the new.
“The OLD will be represented in the glorious spiritual music of the late Renaissance and the early Baroque – the golden age of vocal polyphonic writing, while the NEW will be the modern music of the 20th and 21st Century, with a particular focus on new Australian music.”
Every AVÉ performance will feature new Australian works and engagement with our First Nations People.
“We aim to create an unparalleled music experience for audience members – a chance to explore new Australian composers, a chance for audiences to find their own voice and a chance to hear Indigenous songs of their own country alongside late Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces and brand new works.
“Yes, we are dreaming big – starting a new arts organisation in the middle of a global pandemic, but as Uncle Kev Carmody so eloquently said, from little things, big things grow, and we have big and bold dreams.”
www.australianvocalensemble.com
