St Paul’s Cathedral Together transforming our City and Diocese

“Virtual” Lunchtime Concert Saturday 31 October 2020 • 2pm

Adam Simmons (alto/tenor saxophones, shakuhachi) performs “Songs of Solace.”

WELCOME Welcome to St Paul’s Cathedral, the home for worshippers from more than two dozen nations, the seat of the Anglican Primate of Australia and the home church for Anglicans in Melbourne and Victoria.

We meet on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin nation and we acknowledge and pay our respect to their elders past and present and to Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders with us today.

We also recognise that the traditional owners of this land have been singing, dancing, and telling their stories here for over 2000 generations, and today we are honoured to continue their tradition with our own music.

Program

Adam Simmons (Australia) Miłość

Krzysztof Komeda (1931-1969 Poland) Sleep Safe and Warm (theme from “Rosemary’s Baby”)

Adam Simmons (Australia) Searching

Merle Haggard (1937-2016 USA) Sometimes I Dream

Sisir Tanah (Indonesia) Lagu Wajib

Adam Simmons (Australia) Faith

Call to Prayer

"One of this country's most electrifying instrumentalists, Adam Simmons defies classification" – Leon Gettler

Since graduating from VCA in 1992, Adam has worked in Melbourne and internationally with influential groups and artists such as Ernest Ranglin, Nigel Kennedy, Peter Brotzmann, Ned Rothenberg, John Hollenbeck, Alessandra Garosi, Odean Pope, Denis Colin, bucketrider, The Pearly Shells, BOLT Ensemble, Bennetts Lane Big Band, , Kutcha Edwards, , , Clocked Out, Tony Gould, Sandy Evans, Roger Frampton, John Pochee, Noriko Tadano, Wang Zheng Ting, David Jones, Ted Vining, David Chesworth, Clinton Green, Niko Schauble, Pugsley Buzzard and many more

Ensembles led or co-led by Adam include: Origami, Collider, La Societe des Antipodes (French/Australian), Adam Simmons Quartet, Adam Simmons Toy Band, Adam Simmons Creative Music Ensemble and New Blood.

Adam has taught at all levels from beginner to Masters at various primary, secondary and tertiary institutions. Currently Adam is teaching shakuhachi at University of Melbourne and giving instrumental woodwind lessons at Victorian College of the Arts. Adam has given workshops at various institutions/festivals including: Messina Conservatorium (Sicily), Wentworth Arts Festival (Mildura), Wangaratta Jazz Festival, Squawkestra, National Youth Jazz Academy, Ballarat University, Goulburn Conservatorium, The Music Place and others.

In 2014 highlights include the world premiere of “Billy Tea to Burgers,” a new suite for Origami, releasing “The Fourth Perfection” CD of solo shakuhachi inspired by Chinese art, received standing ovations at Dark MOFO with Nick Tsiavos Ensemble, received commissions from Melbourne Museum for a piece with the Federation Bells and Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka to create a choral work celebrating Eureka’s 160th Anniversary. In addition Adam staged the Festival of Slow Music for the second time.

In 2015 Adam presented the third Festival of Slow Music, launched “Shakuhachi Melbourne” a new community ensemble for all levels, premiered his Concerto for Piano and Toy Band featuring Michael Kieran Harvey, was part of Nick Tsiavos’ 15hr Immersion overnight performance at Dark MOFO and as part of a University of Melbourne engagement project worked with Kids off the Kerb in creating an ensemble performing on recycled whitegoods. He released two new recordings: Sixteen Alleluias (with Nick Tsiavos) and Billy Tea to Burgers (double CD with Origami). In November, Adam presented “100:25:1”, a large scale project at Conduit Arts featuring Adam performing duets with 100 different artists across 25 nights, as the beginning of research into mapping Melbourne’s musician networks.

Selected career highlights include: Commission for Speak Percussion and Michael Kieran Harvey (2012), premiere of concerto by Orio Odori with Philharmonic Orchestra of Loro Ciuffenna (Italy 2012), Special Award from Freedman Foundation (2004), Music Omi Artist Residency (USA, Fellowship 2001, Guest Curator 2007), Green Room Awards for Musical Direction (2003 & 2004), Adam Simmons Retrospective, featuring 40 different acts over three weeks (2006).

Adam is a Forestone Japan Artist and performs exclusively on Forestone RX Red Brass alto and tenor saxophones.

Website: www.adamsimmons.com Music - CD/digital: fatrain.bandcamp.com

Donations

Help keep the music going! With a downturn in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic, your support in exchange for these concerts is most welcome. Tax deductible donations can be made to the Cathedral’s Music Foundation via this link: www.cathedral.org.au/donate

Forthcoming Saturday 2pm Virtual Concerts from St Paul’s Cathedral

14 November: Meredith Connie (classical guitar)

19 December: Kevin Chow (piano)

Please check www.cathedral.org.au for more details as they become available.

This series of lunchtime concerts was launched in 2013 to encourage city workers and others to come into and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the Cathedral during the day. They provide fine music and space for contemplation in the midst of a busy week.

Like “St Paul’s Cathedral Lunchtime Concert Series” on Facebook to get regular updates on our performers and upcoming concerts.

St Paul’s Cathedral Melbourne 209 Flinders Lane Melbourne Victoria 3000 www.cathedral.org.au • (03) 9653 4333 [email protected] twitter.com/stpaulscathmelb • facebook.com/stpaulscathedralmelbourne