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What: Pure Poetry recital and masterclass
When: Saturday, November 9
Where: Masterclass from 3pm to 5pm at BCMA. Recital at 7.30pm at Art Gallery of Ballarat
More information: purepoetryproject.com.au
TEN years ago, renowned Australian composer Ann Carr-Boyd took part in the inaugural Pure Poetry project in Wagga Wagga.
The brainchild of Ballarat writer Bronwyn Blaiklock, the project saw a collective of composers and poets perform new collaborative works in a bid to combine art, music and poetry.
So when Carr-Boyd was asked to return for the 10th anniversary of the project, she couldn't resist.
"It is such a nice union of poetry and art and music that you can't help but be attracted to it and anything in the regional areas of Australia is even more attractive to me," she told The Courier.
Australia's first bachelor of music graduate, Carr-Boyd's compositions have taken her around the world.
Her works are widely published and appear in Australian music syllabi, including the Australian Music Examinations Board piano syllabus.
But of all the projects she has undertaken in her years as a composer, Pure Poetry remains one of the most unusual.
Carr-Boyd, who this year created a piece in collaboration with Blaiklock, said she was particularly fascinated by the 2013 project because of its association with the goldfields.
"Many moons ago, I was doing a master of arts degree and I travelled around Australia and was able to visit Ballarat," she said.
"When I ploughed through all the newspapers, I came across the effect the gold rush had on Australia and on the arts so naturally when I was asked to write something in association with the goldfields, I leapt at it."
This year's Pure Poetry project will culminate in a public recital of three new works, including the piece by Carr-Boyd and Blaiklock as well as by artists Terry Jaensch and Amadis Lacheta.
Joining them will be musicians including soprano Judith Dodsworth, clarinettist Samantha Kelson Gray and pianist Leigh Harrold.
During her visit to Ballarat, Carr-Boyd will also assist young musicians in a public performance masterclass at the Ballarat Centre of Music and the Arts.
For more information and bookings, visit www.trybooking.com/DQGF