Music and cultural events populate the calendar of life in Maldon, but until now, the classical genre hasn’t made much of an appearance. Rev’d Darcy Vaughan sought to change that while also showcasing the acoustics and splendour of the Holy Trinity Church.
“The concerts were inspired by the realisation that, while Maldon has plenty of cultural events, there is no regular classical music program. It occurred to us that the beautiful and historic Holy Trinity here in Maldon would be the ideal venue for such concerts,” Rev’d Darcy said.
The first concert in the series is on Saturday 5 August at 2.30pm and features Ballarat-based chamber group, Klemantyne Ensemble. To coincide with the Goldfields Gothic Festival, the concert will feature the Baroque period with music by composers Handel, Vivaldi, Corelli, Albinoni and Purcell.
The Klemantyne Ensemble is the passion project of violinist and music teacher Nicci Dellar, who formed the string chamber group in 2019 after returning to live in Ballarat. Having studied and worked internationally and run strings programs at several Melbourne private schools, Nicci was keen to found a group that went beyond a string quartet.
Rather, she had ambitions to create an ensemble of classically trained strings players dedicated to thinking outside the box. She found 10 local-to-the-region musicians who share her ideals both musically and personally. Currently, the group comprises nine active members and one on maternity leave.
“All together, we are five violins, two violas, two cellos and a double bass. We’re a small orchestra!” Nicci said. “And while most people think of stringed instruments as only playing classical music, we wanted to change that perception. We play everything from 80s British pop to Cole Porter and Gershwin.”
While the upcoming Maldon event will focus on the Baroque period, an event in Daylesford in October sees the ensemble explore the Romantic era with accompaniment from a harpist. As to the unusual ensemble name (Klemantyne), it once contained the first initials of all the member's names, though some of the players have since changed.
There’s something very special about hearing music inside spaces reserved for prayer. With their cavernous ceilings and reverent atmosphere, they are a perfect arena for an aural experience. “Our hope is that the 'Holy Trinity, Music Concerts' become a regular fixture on the Maldon cultural calendar,” Rev Darcy said.
“My theory is that classical music is a bit like the footy: it's OK on the radio or TV, but if you really want to understand it, you have to experience it live!”
Supported by a partnership grant from Community Bank Maldon and District, the concert series offers a unique addition to the event landscape of the region.
Tickets are $30 per concert or $80 for the whole program. Head to https://www.trybooking.com/CJRAR