Music for everyone at the Woodend Winter Arts Festival

7-10 June 2024

Woodend Winter Arts Festival is excited to deliver a diverse music line-up in 2024, which has something for everyone. Attendees will be transported across the centuries, with world-class musicians performing everything from classical and baroque to flamenco, jazz, folk and more.

Keep reading below to discover the artists who will be performing over the four-day event, which will take place over the King’s Birthday long weekend from 7-10 June. Check out the full four-day program online, which also includes engaging and thought-provoking Words & Ideas events. Tickets are on sale now and selling fast.

Paco Lara Flamenco Duo

Be transported to Southern Spain and captivated by the sound of Paco Lara’s guitar, with guest Spanish flamenco dancer Deya Miranda Giner. Expect impressive articulation with musical elegance and imagination.

When: Friday 7 June at 7:30pm

Where: St Ambrose Hall, Woodend

Across the Channel: Fiore Chamber Vocal Ensemble

Step into a world of classical enchantment with Fiore. Across the Channel promotes renowned composers from the UK and France, and some of the timeless choral compositions that form their legacy. 

When: Saturday 8 June at 12pm

Where: St Ambrose Church, Woodend

Bach’s St John Passion

In celebration of the three-hundredth anniversary of its creation, Accademia Arcadia, Ensemble Gombert, and a cast of outstanding soloists come together to present two incredible performances of Johann Sebastian Bach’s monumental Johannes-Passion (St John Passion).

When: Saturday 8 June at 2:30pm & Sunday 9 June at 7pm

Where: St Ambrose Church, Woodend

Paul Grabowsky: Solo Piano

Paul Grabowsky is one of Australia’s finest-ever jazz musicians. Much of this powerful performance will be taken from his album ‘Solo’ featuring all the hallmarks that have made him one of the world’s foremost jazz instrumentalists and composers. This is jazz for the connoisseur: rich, engaging, full of allusion and wit.

When: Saturday 8 June at 6:00pm

Where: St Ambrose Hall, Woodend

Schubert and the Viennese Masters

Daniel Thomson (tenor) joins John O’Donnell (piano), as they explore Schubert Lieder and influences from the earlier Viennese Masters. Expect works by Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven and others. Originally hailing from the Macedon Ranges, Daniel Thomson returns from London, where he has established himself as a highly sought after tenor soloist, recitalist and chamber singer.

When: Sunday 9 June at 12pm

Where: St Ambrose Hall, Woodend 

 Early Solo Concertos

Join four renowned soloists, Adam Masters (oboe), Josephine Vains (cello), Brendan O’Donnell (recorder) and Jacqueline Ogeil (Cristofori piano) as they perform four outstanding works by Baroque composers Alessandro Marcello and Antonio Vivaldi, and early Classical composers Thomas Arne and Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach.

When: Sunday 9 June at 2:30pm

Where: St Ambrose Church, Woodend

Fantaisie: Piers Lane, Piano

Returning from his London base to perform at WWAF, Australian pianist Piers Lane has a worldwide reputation as an engaging, searching and highly versatile performer, at home equally in solo, chamber and concerto repertoire. Join him as he performs a recital based around one of his favourite composers: Fredéric Chopin.

When: Sunday 9 June at 4pm

Where: St Ambrose Hall, Woodend 

8 Cellos: Melbourne Cello Octet 

This concert will bring together eight of Australia’s premiere cellists performing an incredible range of repertoire from Sacred works of J.S. Bach to Brazilian folk and pop music, Beethoven Overtures to fiery Spanish dances, and many more.

When: Monday 10 June at 11:30am

Where: St Ambrose Church, Woodend 

Hope Renewed: Nat Bartsch Quartet

Pianist and composer Nat Bartsch presents Hope Renewed: a jazz/post rock reinterpretation of her ARIA-nominated classical album Hope. This reinterpretation brings the work to life with her jazz quartet, classical musicians and live ambient electronic effects.

When: Monday 10 June at 2pm

Where: St Ambrose Hall, Woodend

The Woodend Winter Arts Festival is a registered charity. All donations over $2 are tax deductible. Donate here or visit our website for more information on how to donate.