Two Weeks to Go: Music Belongs to Everyone: SXS Chamber Music Festival Celebrates Community with Free Events Across Tamborine Mountain

Thursday, 30 July 2026

While the 22nd SXS Chamber Music Festival welcomes some of Australia's and the world's finest chamber musicians to Tamborine Mountain this August, one of the festival's defining features is that everyone is invited to be part of the experience.

Across the festival weekend, Southern Cross Soloists (SXS) is presenting a series of free community events that celebrate participation, conversation and music making, reaffirming the festival's belief that great art thrives when communities create and experience it together.

Festival Artistic Director and three-time Grammy Award winner Tim Munro said the community program reflects the very heart of this year's festival theme, Safe in Sound.

"Safe in Sound is about belonging. It's about the families we're born into, the families we choose, and the communities we build together through music. We wanted this festival to be as much about participation as performance, creating opportunities for people to gather, share stories and make music together."

Coming Together – A Community Opening Celebration

The festival opens on Friday 14 August with a ticketed event and one of its most ambitious community collaborations to date. Coming Together will see around 70 musicians take to the stage, uniting professional artists, students and community musicians in a powerful opening celebration.

At the centre of the performance is the Tamborine Mountain Orchestra, one of Queensland's longest- running community orchestras, performing alongside Southern Cross Soloists' internationally acclaimed artists, emerging SXS Next Gen musicians, local school students and the 2026 Margaret Schindler Vocal Scholar.

The concert also features the world premiere of a new work by Australian composer Monash Lal, written especially for this remarkable gathering of performers.

Rather than simply opening the festival, Coming Together embodies it—bringing generations of musicians together on one stage to celebrate creativity, mentorship and the joy of making music as one community.

Meet the Artists

Throughout the weekend audiences are invited behind the curtain through a series of free Chapel Talks, offering rare insight into the creative lives of internationally acclaimed musicians. Hosted by Tim Munro, these intimate conversations explore the stories behind the music, the artistic journeys of the performers and the inspirations shaping this year's programs.

Held in the beautiful chapel overlooking Shambala Estate, the relaxed sessions invite audiences to ask questions, engage with artists and discover the personalities behind the performances.

A Community Folk Music Night

On Saturday evening, the music spills beyond the concert hall with the festival's much-loved Community Folk Music Night at Fortitude Brewing Co. Presented in partnership with musicians from Good Tunes, the evening invites everyone to pull up a chair,

grab a locally brewed beer and enjoy an informal celebration of folk music, storytelling and spontaneous collaboration.

Festival artists will join community musicians in an evening where professional and amateur performers share the stage, continuing the festival's belief that music is at its most powerful when barriers disappear. Entry is by gold coin donation, making it one of the most accessible events of the festival weekend.

A Festival for the Whole Community

Southern Cross Soloists General Manager Maxine Williamson said the community events demonstrate the organisation's long-standing commitment to making world-class music welcoming and accessible. "Our festival isn't just something you come and watch—it is something you become part of. Whether you're attending a free artist talk, singing along at the folk night, or watching your children perform alongside internationally acclaimed musicians, these moments build lasting connections between artists and audiences. That's something incredibly special."

Set amongst the spectacular scenery of Tamborine Mountain, the SXS Chamber Music Festival combines internationally acclaimed performances with regional hospitality, award-winning food and wine, and a vibrant program of free community experiences.

As arts organisations continue to face increasing challenges, the festival stands as a celebration of what live performance can uniquely achieve—bringing people together through shared experiences that strengthen communities and create lasting memories.

The 22nd SXS Chamber Music Festival runs from 14–16 August 2026 at Shambala Estate, Tamborine Mountain.

For the full program and tickets visit www.sxsfestival.com.

About Southern Cross Soloists

Southern Cross Soloists is a Brisbane-based, not-for-profit chamber music ensemble and one of Australia’s most respected arts organisations. Known for its virtuosity, innovation, and commitment to Australian music, SXS presents an annual concert series at QPAC, national touring programs, and major creative projects including its flagship long-running SXS Chamber Music Festival.

www.southernxsoloists.com.au

MEDIA CONTACT

Maxine Williamson

General Manager | Southern Cross Soloists

maxine@southernxsoloists.com.au

0457 045 301