“I think this is exciting not just for Indigenous composers but for Australian music. We were once hearing Indigenous culture filtered through the hands of white composers. Now people are saying they want to hear Indigenous culture from Indigenous composers. This has been a big shift over the last five years – there is still more traction to be gained in that shift, but it’s certainly started which is pretty exciting.” – Christopher Sainsbury
Susan Ellis voice
Kiri Sollis flutes
Holly Downes double bass
Chris Stone violin
Michael Sollis mandolin
Featuring some of Australia’s most innovative leaders in chamber, folk, opera, new music, and composition, The Griffyn Ensemble seamlessly cross-pollinates between genres of music and other artforms to create a unique experience of live performance, inspiring audiences and communities to question the world around us. The Griffyn Ensemble have developed works that include The Dirty Red Digger: comparing stories of current rugby league players with those playing the game during the First World War; Southern Sky and Northern Lights with Astronomer Fred Watson; and collaborations with some of the world’s leaders in new music from Sweden, Scotland, and China. The Griffyn Ensemble are directed by composer Michael Sollis, one of Australia’s leading artistic directors of contemporary music.
Griffyn Ensemble’s program Songs from a Stolen Senate presents works by seven of Australia’s most prolific First Nations creators composed in collaboration with the ensemble. The program explores Australian identity, with new works that redefine words that were spoken by the governments of our country. Each piece is introduced through film by the artist, then performed by the Griffyn Ensemble.
Songs from a Stolen Senate brings together some of Australia’s leading First Nation creators, with The Griffyn Ensemble to challenge how Australian identity has been forged since European settlement. This landmark collaboration weaves together their unique individual reflections of our political landscape through music they have written for the acclaimed Griffyn Ensemble, many reworking words that were spoken in our parliament. From Stolen Generations to climate politics, Songs from a Stolen Senate offers different perspectives of our national past and the Australian parliament.
Experience music, film and stories by unique First Australians from a diversity of genre and backgrounds, including Aranda country music icon Warren Williams; inspirational Noongar singer-songwriter Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse; Norah Bagiri from Műa Island in the Torres Strait; Ngunnawal custodian Richie Allan; Larrakia hip-hop artist Jimblah; Christopher Sainsbury from the Dharug Nation; and Yuin composer Brenda Gifford.
This landmark collaboration weaves together their unique individual reflections of our political landscape through music they have written for the acclaimed Griffyn Ensemble. From stolen generations to climate politics, Songs from a Stolen Senate offers different perspectives of our national past and the Australian parliament.
Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse Wanjoo
Warren Williams Untitled
Norah Bagiri and The Griffyn Ensemble The View From The Shore
Richie Allan and The Griffyn Ensemble Untitled
Brenda Gifford Breath
Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse What Are We To Do
Jimblah Not In My Name
Chris Sainsbury Red Kangaroo Standing
Please download Griffyn Ensemble's specifications here.
The artists of Griffyn Ensemble are available for a wide variety of workshops. One workshop that the ensemble is happy to run is where students create digital works inspired by similar themes to those presented in the performance. A video of one such program being run at Castlemaine State Festival can be found here.
Throughout 2022. Please contact Musica Viva.
Travel to centres in regional NSW is subsidised through the support of Create NSW. Musica Viva can book the artists, arrange all travel and accommodation, provide posters, flyers and program information.
If you are interested in bringing an ensemble to your town or city, please contact:
Sean Moloney
Manager, Special Projects & Regional Touring
Chris Sainsbury Red Kangaroo Standing
Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse What Are We To Do