A brief history
The Yarra Trio was formed in 2007, and in the eighteen months since their formation have taken Melbourne by storm. Chris Howlett and Stefan Cassomenos have been working together since 2003, and were joined by Jess Ipkendanz in 2009. The newly formed group burst onto the chamber music scene throughout the year, with numerous awards and successes. They performed on several occasions as part of the Faculty of Music Lunch Hour Concert Series at the University of Melbourne, and were awarded the 2007 University of Melbourne Alumni Chamber Music Prize. Also in that year, they were awarded an Australian Arts Council Buzz Grant, through The Foundation for Young Australians. This year, they were selected to receive a Knowledge Transfer Student Grant through the University of Melbourne’s Dreamlarge Program. They have also been recipients of the Olwyn Game Memorial Award for Chamber Music, and have been broadcast several times on ABC Classic FM and 3MBS FM.
In 2008, The Yarra Trio launched their inaugural subscription series, held at the edgy Flinders Lane venue fortyfive downstairs, and at Melba Hall at the University of Melbourne. They have sold out on five occasions, and are hoping to sell out again in their final concert of 2008, later this month. They have also toured extensively throughout regional Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales, giving several evening recitals in major centres, but also giving ‘Proms for Preps’ children’s concerts as part of their educational program. They hope to engage at a deeper level with regional communities, and encourage and educate the next generation of musicians and audiences. The have recently won a Knowledge Transfer Grant from The University of Melbourne to continue this in 2009.
The Yarra Trio have worked intensively with The Royal Children’s Hospital, supporting fundraising for the ‘Hush’ Music for Sick Kids Auxiliary. In a single Gala Concert held on September 4 at the Blue Diamond Club in Melbourne, they raised over $7500 in support of music therapy and pain management services. They currently have a number of fundraising events planned for 2009, and have secured the support of ABC Classic FM in raising awareness of these events, and broadcasting them nationally.
The Yarra Trio is also actively supporting young Australian composers. In 2008, in partnership with the University of Melbourne, they have seen through the formation of a National Composition Award, recognizing the talents of student composers. They will be performing this year’s winning composition on October 21. They also regularly workshop and perform new works on live radio, and where possible, will perform a new work by a young Australian composer at every major recital.
The Yarra Trio has undertaken an extensive study program working predominantly with Janis Laurs (Principal Cellist, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra). They have also been fortunate to work with a number of international pedagogues including members of the Kungsbacka Trio, cellist Margaret Powell of the Dussek Trio, and the Jerusalem Quartet.
