Ossa Music Prize-winning pianist Sarah Chick will undertake a seven-concert statewide tour from Wednesday, highlighting the work of women composers.
The third-year Bachelor of Music student will take her presentation, Portraits: Women Composing Wonders, to regional Tasmania with performances in the North West, North and East Coast, as well as Launceston and Hobart.
Ms Chick was awarded the Ossa Music Prize last month, valued at more than $10,000 and including the fully funded tour.
“I’m really passionate about taking this presentation right across Tasmania,” she said. “I believe that music is something that can bring people together and should be available to share in all of our communities.”
The tour begins in Queenstown on Wednesday before school and evening shows in Devonport, Ulverstone, Launceston, Swansea and Hobart.
Portraits: Women Composing Wonders includes works from French composer Cecile Chaminade, pioneering Black American Margaret Bonds and young Greek-Australian Aristea Mellos.
“I wanted the audience to get to know composers that were less well-known,” Ms Chick said. “Female composers, particularly in classical music, are under-represented so I developed Portraits wanting to highlight their lives and bring that to the concert.”
Ms Chick began playing the piano at the age of six and completed her Associate Diploma (AMusA), awarded to outstanding students, while at school. She currently teaches young students, works as an accompanist for the Tasmanian Youth Orchestra’s Junior Chorale and performs both as a soloist and in chamber ensembles.
Ossa Music Prize judging panel chair and Lecturer in Contemporary Music Alistair Dobson said audiences could expect a passionate performance of classical piano compositions from several eras.
“Sarah’s overall concept featuring women composers that she’s inspired by as a young female performer herself is a beautiful and strong story and an important one for people to experience,” he said.
The Ossa Prize is named after Tasmania’s highest mountain peak. It was established in 2018 by University alumnus Dr Rod Roberts and Mrs Cecile Roberts, who contribute $10,000 to help students pursue excellence in musicianship. The performance in Queenstown is included in memory of Margaret Stoermer, thanks to support provided by her family.
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Tour dates
QUEENSTOWN - Wednesday 30 August 7:00pm
The Paragon Theatre, 11 McNamara St, Queenstown TAS 7467
DEVONPORT - School Workshop - Thursday 31 August 1:00pm
St Brendan Shaw College, The Chapel, 127 James St Devonport TAS 7310
ULVERSTONE - Thursday 31 August 7:00pm
The Wharf, 3 Ulverstone Wharf, Crescent Street Ulverstone, TAS 7315
LAUNCESTON - School Workshop - Friday 1 September 1:00pm
The Annexe Theatre, Inveresk campus, Invermay TAS 7248
LAUNCESTON - Friday 1 September 7:00pm
The Annexe Theatre, Inveresk campus, Invermay TAS 7248
SWANSEA - Saturday 2 September 7:00pm
Swansea Town Hall, Franklin St, Swansea TAS 7190
HOBART - Saturday 16 September 7:00pm
The Ian Potter Recital Hall, The Hedberg, 19 Collins Street Hobart, TAS 7001