The Artists Have Arrived. The Stage is set. The Piano Is Tuned. The Mountain Is Ready.

Camilo Lopez - SXS
Aug 14
2 min read

The 22nd SXS Chamber Music Festival begins today on Tamborine Mountain

There's a special kind of anticipation on Tamborine Mountain this morning. The artists have arrived from across Australia and beyond. Instrument cases have been unpacked. Bows have been rosined. Rehearsals echo through Shambala Estate. The grand piano has taken pride of place in the Galaxy Ballroom. Across the mountain, music is already drifting through the cool winter air.

Today, the 22nd SXS Chamber Music Festival begins.

For the next three days, one of Australia's most celebrated chamber music festivals transforms the beautiful Shambala Estate into a place where world-class musicians, emerging artists, local performers and audiences come together to celebrate live music in one of Queensland's most spectacular natural settings. Presented by Southern Cross Soloists, this year's festival explores the theme Safe in Sound—a celebration of family, friendship, belonging and the connections that only live music can create. Over the weekend, audiences can experience internationally acclaimed artists including soprano Alexandra Flood, Australian Chamber Orchestra Principal Cello Timo-Veikko Valve, pianist Aura Go, the acclaimed Lyrebird Trio, three-time Grammy Award winner flautist Tim Munro, and renowned clarinettist Ashley Smith, alongside the outstanding young musicians of the SXS Next Gen Program and Margaret Schindler Vocal Scholar and the Tamborine Mountain Orchestra. Festival Artistic Director Tim Munro said there is nothing quite like the atmosphere on opening day.

"There's a beautiful moment every year when the rehearsals finish, the audience begins to arrive and the mountain comes alive with music. After months of planning, everything is finally in place. Now it's time to share it."

The festival opens this evening with Coming Together, a joyful celebration of community featuring around 70 musicians including the Tamborine Mountain Orchestra, local school students, SXS Next Gen artists and festival musicians performing together—including the world premiere of a new work by Australian composer Monash Lal.

Across the weekend there is truly something for everyone. Families can discover the magic of live music at the interactive Meet the Instruments concert in The Chapel, audiences can enjoy intimate performances by internationally acclaimed artists, hear stories from the musicians during free Chapel Talks, experience the mystery of the Secret Concert, unwind at the Sound Healing session, or finish Saturday evening with the relaxed Community Folk Music Night at Fortitude Brewing Co. And between concerts, visitors can savour everything Tamborine Mountain has to offer—from award-winning food and local wines to rainforest walks, boutique shopping and the spectacular beauty of the Scenic Rim. Southern Cross Soloists General Manager Maxine Williamson said the festival has become much more than a series of concerts.

"This is a weekend escape where music, food, nature and community all come together. Whether you're a lifelong classical music lover or simply curious to experience something new, we'd love to welcome you to the mountain."

With the opening performance beginning tonight, tickets are still available for many concerts and events throughout the weekend, offering audiences the chance to experience internationally acclaimed musicians in an intimate setting just one hour from Brisbane and the Gold Coast.