Music in the Regions has announced its inaugural program of events.

A new independent touring organisation established with a mission to connect classical musicians with regional audiences, it will support NSW musicians and small-to-medium ensembles so they can tour to places not usually visited by classical musicians, and spend time with local communities.

In an interesting addition to the touring model, musicians involved in the program in 2022 will return to these same communities every year for the next three years, strengthening relationships with audiences and ensuring that the touring network becomes entrenched.

This first tour will feature the Acacia Quartet, and will see them travel to Goulburn, Gunning, Braidwood, Young, Temora and Cowra, performing concerts and taking part in workshops and professional development sessions at Hume and Young conservatoriums. Their program for the tour includes works by Mozart, Borodin and rising Australian composer Alice Chance.

“This is the beginning of our long-term partnerships with regional communities in NSW,” said Music in the Regions Executive Director Janine Collins. “We’re using music to build connections that endure well into the future, which is why we’re looking forward to coming back to these same areas every year for the next three years.”