The Ady Ensemble’s next concert is just a couple of months away, and we thought that we’d introduce some of our featured composers for this performance.

Rachel Merton first came in contact with the Ady Ensemble in 2014, and over a cup of coffee and French pastry with Le Grande Fromage a plan and schedule was set out for a new work to be premiered at the end of 2015, but which ended up being performed by the ensemble in 2016 as part of their 4MBS Festival of Classics performance: Hot Vodka. Both Rachel’s work and Corrina Bonshek’s (more about Corrina later) received a warm review from 4MBS who stated that, “…the new compositions stole the show.”

Rachel began studying composition from 12 years of age at the Young Conservatorium of Music. She studied with Stephen Leek for 5 years, then with Dr Stephen Cronin during her  Bachelor of Music in Composition which she received in 2005 at the Queensland Conservatorium. In 2012 Rachel returned to studies to complete a Master of Music Studies in Composition in 2013.

During that time her achievements included placing’s in the ASME Young Composers Competition 1997-2001, the A.G. Francis Composition Prize in 2002, 2004 Fellowship of Australian Composers Award, and first place in the advanced section of composition for the  Keys Festival for Australian Music (2006).

In 2013 Rachel was awarded the national Fine Music FM Young Composers Award which was performed by the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra and Choral. Her works have been aired on 4MBS, ABC Classic FM, and Bay FM; they have also been performed in Brisbane, Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne including ensembles such as The Song Company (2003), The Firm Concert series and the Zephyr Quartet (2000). Find out more about Rachel via her website

Come and join us on Wednesday, the 5th of July, as we perform Rachel’s Allegro for Strings, and many other beautifully listenable works written for the Ady Ensemble over its seven year history. In the meantime, enjoy the ensemble’s performance of Rachel’s work from last year…