Sonus to showcase the sounds of Geelong

ONE of the recipients of the City of Greater Geelong’s Arts Industry Commission will present an aural and visual work inspired by the Geelong landscape at the Geelong Gallery later this month.

The collaboration between Sonus Ensemble and Geelong composer Kym Dillon, 5×5 (Djilang): Exploring Landscape explores and sonically responds to five important locations in the City of Greater Geelong, and how an understanding and perspective of those places grows and deepens through listening to stories of the Wadawurrung people.

In a performance combining both acoustic performances from Sonus Ensemble as well as multimedia elements, Sonus Ensemble takes a journey to Lake Connewarre (oboe solo); the You Yangs (bassoon solo); the confluence of the Barwon and Moorabool (horn solo); Moorabool Street at North (clarinet solo) and Lake Modewarre (piccolo solo) and evokes, through sound, a musical homage to the municipality, showcasing nature, history, views and stories.

Kym Dillon is an emerging composer whose original works have also been commissioned by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Astra Chamber Musica Society and Musica Viva and have been performed internationally.

Sonus Ensemble has been performing in and around Geelong for eight years.

“It is inspiring to be able to perform Kym Dillon’s composition portraying these well-known Geelong locations,” the ensemble said.

“His music explores the stories, history and nature of these amazing landscapes.”

This project is supported by the City of Greater Geelong through the Arts Industry Commissions, which invited artists working in the creative and cultural sector to respond to themes as a way to support artists and their role in Geelong’s recovery.

The process was highly competitive, with 54 expressions of interest received and 17 projects commissioned.

“The uplifting and haunting beauty of Kym Dillon’s composition, to be performed by Sonus Ensemble, will be a celebration of our city and some of its most important locations,” creative communities and culture portfolio chair Cr Trent Sullivan said.

“The Geelong Gallery setting will make this an inspiring experience that is enjoyable to both see and hear.”

5×5 will be performed at the Geelong Gallery on May 30 at 5pm.