Ambassador thoughts

Nexas @ WollCon – feel-good music, played with polish + humour

Nexas Quartet | Wollongong Conservatorium Concert 16 January, 2026, Wollongong Conservatorium of Music, NSW Pulling into the green sweep of the Wollongong Botanic Gardens late on a Friday afternoon, the atmosphere was one of fun. Kids were spread across the lawn outside, cartwheeling, cricket bats in hand. By the time I reached the buildings of the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music,

Pepe Newton January 25, 2026

Ambassador thoughts

Nexas Quartet launches new Gershwin album – a hit concert!

Nexas Quartet | Gershwin Album Launch 9 August, 2025, Utzon Room, Sydney, NSW Four saxophones sound a bit excessive, but not when you hear them played by Nexas, a quartet which has performed with few changes for over twenty years. Indeed, the sounds were so intertwined and complementary that it sounded just like a classical wind quartet but more engaging.

Tony Burke August 10, 2025

Ambassador thoughts

Orange Chamber Music Festival – programming nothing short of fantastic!

Orange Chamber Music Festival 2023 March 9 to 12, 2023 | Orange, NSW It was a nostalgic experience driving to the Central West of NSW as I was a regular at the Mudgee Music Festival for 20 years. The two festivals are quite different however with the Orange Chamber Music Festival being spread out over many venues and, at least

Tony Burke March 14, 2023

Ambassador thoughts

CD Review: Nexas Quartet | Tango de Saxos

Nexas Quartet are focused on promoting the musical diversity of the saxophone and I cannot think of a better vehicle to do so than Argentine Tango. I have worked with quartet member Jay Byrnes and guest pianist Daniel Rojas before on Byrnes’ solo Saxophone CD El Asunto Del Tango and I was excited to hear what the sound of a saxophone

Isabella Brown July 19, 2021

Ambassador thoughts

Musical Adventures at Orange Chamber Music Festival

I spent the weekend rediscovering the NSW city of Orange, enjoying bushwalking in Mt Canobolas’ sub-alpine forests, tasting plates in local wineries, fine accomodation with fresh figs from the farm’s orchard, and quiet wanderings through the town’s stunningly autumnal parks and gardens. This is a regional centre that, according to Carmen Nieves-Byrnes (Managing Director of the inaugural Orange Chamber Music

Pepe Newton April 12, 2021

Jay Byrnes

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