3MBS Melbourne 103.5FM has once again partnered with Alpha60 to present Music, She Wrote at the acoustically and visually stunning Alpha60 concept store in Chapter House, nestled in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, from 29–31 March 2023.

Now in its third year, Music, She Wrote exists to tell women’s stories in their own musical voices. This year’s festival, curated by Artistic Director Katie Yap, revolves around the theme of breaking step, cutting loose, and the courage required to speak up with an authentic voice. Society often expects women to behave and appear in particular ways – Music, She Wrote aims to shake things up using the intimate medium of chamber music.

Concert 3: New Beginnings | Ceridwen McCooey / Croissants & Whiskey
Friday 31 March, 8pm

Program

Ceridwen McCooey (originals)

A Starless, Fatherless Sky
When you are ready for words
How Green Is My Valley?
For the Performer (World Premiere)

Croissants & Whiskey

Louisa Trewartha – Baroque Quartet
Alice Chance – O Pastor Animarum
Katie Yap – Multitudes (World Premiere)
Elizabeth Younan – The Fertile Crescent

The final concert celebrates the new paths that emerge after change. Cellist and 2022 winner of 3MBS’s young artist prize, The Talent, Ceridwen McCooey takes the stage to tell her story of forging her own path. With a program of original works, including a world premiere, her music draws on the clarity of contemporary classical music, combining it with the freedom of improvisation, using live looped layers to create rich, ever-changing textures.

Prog-baroque quartet Croissants & Whiskey, formed in the midst of 2020 lockdowns, rounds off the festival. Representing a new direction for baroque instruments, theirs is an unconventional blend of harpsichord (Joy Lee), recorders (Ryan Williams), baroque viola (Katie Yap), and G violone (Miranda Hill). They are quickly becoming known for the musicality, flair, and humour they bring to their performances, blending the sonorous with the sharp, and drawing audiences from around the state.

Concert 1: Turning In | Georgina Lewis X Billie Tumarkin
Wednesday 29 March, 8pm

Concert 2: Breaking Step | Rubiks Collective
Thursday 30 March, 8pm