About
About the Festival
Est. 2019
The Orange Chamber Music Festival (OCMF) is the premier Art Music event of the Central West, showcasing Australian and international artists and ensembles within a variety of venues around the city of Orange, NSW. The four day boutique event is hailed for its sophisticated appeal and excellence in programming, combining the very best of Orange’s hospitality with incomparable musical experiences with chamber music at its core.
Indeed, Orange is where culture, tourism and the food and wine world merge with an incredible cultural precinct, boutique hotels, art galleries, shops, cellar doors, unique experiences and fresh produce. All of these attributes come together to make Orange a welcoming and exciting destination within regional NSW.
To celebrate the city's vibrant cultural scene, Orange Chamber Music Festival will also deliver Cultured, a free community event that combines music, visual arts, heritage and literature in a full day of activities in and around the cultural precinct. Usually held on the Saturday of the Festival week, Cultured invites the local community and visitors to experience classical music along with the displays and activities of the Orange Regional Gallery, the Orange Regional Museum, the Orange City Library and outdoor areas of the Civic Square.
OCMF is a cross cultural, cross generational and LGBTQIA+ safe platform where discrimination is not tolerated
About Us
The Orange Chamber Music Festival OCMF is led and curated by local professional musicians with extensive experience in chamber music, international performance, education, research and arts management. Managed by a volunteer board of members from a range of local industries and organisations, Orange Chamber Music Festival Incorporated is defining and establishing its vision as a Destination Festival with an artistic program of the highest standards.
Orange Chamber Music Festival features domestic and international artists, established and emerging ensembles and artists, ensuring diversity of programs, inclusion of Australian content and collaborations between visiting artists and local musicians.
The Experience
Setting the stage is the beautiful city of Orange as Autumn arrives with colour filled trees, sunny days and cool nights. Each day will encourage our Festival Pass holders to wander around the region, and to discover the charm and beauty of our finest establishments as the Festival evolves.
On day one, Diamond Pass holders are welcomed to a private lunch at one of Orange’s award winning restaurants. In the afternoon, OCMF sponsor Quest Orange and their staff provide all Festival Pass holders and the general public with a relaxed gathering and welcome drinks with a featured artist.
The Festival kicks off with an exhilarating program, a piano trio comprising some of Australia’s most captivating artists. Curated by clarinetist Lloyd Van’t Hoff, 'Folk Fables and Pleasures’ is sure to ignite our inner fire.
The Late Sessions Series return with a French inspired Café-Concert. This event includes a decadent candlelight dinner and a performance by Baby et Lulu and an impressive live band. This event is included in the Diamond Pass, also available as an Add-On to the Festival Pass and open to the general public.
On Friday, we take our audience on a short trip to explore the fresh air of our countryside, to enjoy a delightful morning tea and a glorious morning concert titled 'Rising' by Trivium Ensemble. In 2024, International Women’s Day is the perfect occasion to showcase some trailblazer female composers from around the world.
In the afternoon, two featured performances will bring our audience back to town to experience diverse programs by guest ensembles, the Australian Baroque Brass and the Orava Quartet.
For the young at heart the evening will conclude with a Late Session @Rowlee, featuring the fascinating world-music ensemble Estampa. This event is presented in association with Musica Viva Australia.
Saturdays are for Cultured, a flagship event of the Orange Chamber Music Festival that celebrates the unique features of our city, in and around the Arts precinct in Byng Street. A diverse range of performances by guest and local artists will enlighten the spaces of the cultural precinct, with free access to all activities to the general public and visitors. Activities will commence from early morning.
Also on Saturday, Festival Pass holders and the general public will have access to a featured performance by the Song Co. launching their 40th Anniversary Program with a national tour.
The highly anticipated Festival Gala will conclude the day with a magnificent show at the Orange Civic Theatre, showcasing a selection of the 2024 festival artists and ensembles in a showcase of music, light and dance.
An easy Sunday morning at the iconic Robertson Park’s CWA Hall for the final performance in Orange town, before heading to the near village of Millthorpe for the Festival's traditional dining event at TONIC restaurant. In 2024 a three course lunch and 'Pairings' by the Nexas Quartet will be served.
Guests returning to Orange are invited to attend the farewell event at the lawn of the Byng St Boutique Hotel with a featured artist.
The Team
Orange Chamber Music Festival is a not for profit incorporated association, based in Orange NSW. Australian Business Number (ABN) 30 229 678 462
OCMF operates thanks to a dedicated board of management of 7 members of diverse background and experience in business, performance, arts management and administration.
Chair
Tom Ward
Festival Director
Carmen Nieves
Board Members
Jane Arnott
Thomas Nock
Gillian Serisier
Secretary
vacant
Artistic Curator
Carmen Nieves
Treasurer
Dr. Jonathan Byrnes
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We acknowledge the traditional custodianship of these lands, and pay our respect to the Wiradjuri people for their care and stewardship of these lands for more than 40,000 years, and to the elders of the Wiradjuri nation past, present and future.