Australia’s 3MBS Radio Presents Chamber Music Festival for Women in Music

Founded by award-winning violist Katie Yap, the "Music, She Wrote" festival will be held from March 29–31, 2023

Music, She Wrote is 3MBS Melbourne 103.5FM’s third chamber music festival celebrating women in music. Collaborating with Melbourne fashion label Alpha60, the festival will be held in Alpha60’s concept store which will be converted into a unique concert venue for three nights between March 29-31, 2023. 

Music, She Wrote is led and curated by artistic director Katie Yap, who is a Melbourne-based modern and baroque violist. She was recently named as Australia’s prestigious Freedman Classical Fellow and 2023 Musica Viva Australia Futuremaker.

“Music, She Wrote exists to tell women’s stories in their own musical voices,” Yap explained in the press release. “This year’s festival revolves around the theme of breaking step, cutting loose, and the courage required to speak up with an authentic voice. 

“Society often expects women to behave and appear in particular ways and we want to shake things up using the intimate medium of chamber music,” she continued. “Chapter House is acoustically and visually stunning. With its wooden interior and vaulted ceilings, it’s a space where chamber music really shines. Each group is chosen with that acoustic in mind.”

On March 29, the festival’s first event, “Turning In,” will feature pianist Georgina Lewis and soprano Billie Tumarkin, who will perform music from female composers Vitezslava Kapralova, Stefania Turkewich, Missy Mazzoli, Patricia Corceido, Nadia Boulanger, Ann Southam, and Otilie Suková, the daughter of Antonin Dvořák. 

The March 30 performance, “Breaking Step,” will feature contemporary art music ensemble, the Rubiks Collective, comprising pianist Jacob Abela, percussionist Kaylie Melville, cellist Gemma Kneale, and flutist Tamara Kohler. Their program includes pieces by Anna Clyne, Sam Wolf, Julia Wolfe, Molly Joyce, Leah Blankendaal, and Gemma Peacocke.

Cellist and 3MBS TheTalent winner Ceridwen McCooey will be featured in the final performance on March 31, titled “New Beginnings.” Performing her own original works, including a world premiere, McCooey’s music combines both improvisation and live-looped layers.

The final night will also showcase prog-baroque quartet Croissants & Whiskey performing works by Louisa Trewartha, Alice Chance, Elizabeth Younan, and a world premiere of a work by Yap. 

The event will be held in person and streamed live online. To book tickets, click here.

A community broadcaster, 3MBS Melbourne 103.5FM presents classical, jazz, and genre-related programs to over 170,000 weekly listeners 24 hours a day, plus supports and promotes local artists and performances. 

Born in Brisbane, Australia, Katie Yap is also the artistic director of the Wattleseed Ensemble and founding member of the Chrysalis Harp Trio. She regularly performs with Van Diemen's Band, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Australian World Orchestra, and Melbourne Chamber Orchestra.