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Travelling to Bundanon on our Fellows Retreat

09 May, 2019

Our Sydney Symphony Fellows had a blast on their week-long annual retreat at Bundanon Trust.

As Artists in Residence at Bundanon Trust, our twelve Fellows spent the week rehearsing for a performance in Goulburn at Hume Conservatorium.

Before the concert they spent the morning working with local Goulburn musicians in a side-by-side workshop. Our Fellows also took a day out from Bundanon to do outreach work at South Coast Correctional Centre in Nowra where Fellowship Artistic Director Roger Benedict lead an interactive workshop with inmates, followed by a performance. The day was inspiring for both Fellows and inmates alike.

"On the 2019 Bundanon Retreat I learnt that playing chamber music in the midst of the beautiful untamed Australian bush and wildlife is an experience that not only helps one to grow as a musician, but is good for the soul. Visiting and performing at South Coast Correctional Centre in Nowra was a highlight as the prisoners were very enthusiastic and eager to learn as much as possible about classical music. They were really grateful to us for performing for them and this made the experience all the more rewarding!" – James Julian, 2019 Clarinet Fellow

Scroll through the gallery to take a closer look at the week.

Our Percussion Fellow, Adam, takes in the scenery while rehearsing for the Fellows’ performance in Goulburn.
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Trombone Fellow Dale gets in a little practice, al fresco.
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Rehearsing Beethoven’s Septet for our concert at Goulburn Regional Conservatorium.
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Outside the South Coast Correctional Centre in Nowra where the Fellows and Roger Benedict gave an interactive workshop, followed by a concert for inmates as part of the outreach activities.
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A trip to Hyper Hyper Coffee in Nowra has become an annual Retreat tradition. “Going to Bundanon was an amazing experience. We are so lucky to get to work intensively together away from the city distractions, and in such a beautiful spot too. Plus - so many wombats!” – Tobias Aan, 2019 Violin Fellow
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Sunrise at Bundanon Trust. "What a great opportunity to leave the city and spend a week making amazing music with talented colleagues in a beautiful landscape. What more could one ask for!" – David Barlow, 2019 Double Bass Fellow
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The Fellows shake off the pre-concert nerves with a fun group shot outside of Hume Conservatorium (previously Goulburn Regional Conservatorium).
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The Fellows, led by Artistic Director Roger Benedict, performed a program of chamber music including Poulenc, Beethoven and more.
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One last group shot at Bundanon Trust at the end of the retreat. "A very special experience! Spectacular vistas and abundant wildlife with chamber music echoing across the valley." – David Johnson, 2019 Trumpet Fellow
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