A SHORT HISTORY
Late in 1995 renowned Italian organist, composer and teacher, Sergio de
Pieri was shown some of the wonderful unmodified nineteenth century pipe
organs scattered throughout the Central Highlands Goldfields area of
Victoria.
Sergio is reported to have remarked “This is the place for a Festival”.
He immediately set about convincing many well-known musicians that they
should perform in the first “Organs of the Ballarat Goldfields” Festival
to be held early in January 1996. With the enthusiastic help a former
pupil and subsequently also of a small band of other Ballarat music
lovers, the first festival was staged with very few weeks of planning.
Musicians were confirmed, programs were finalized, churches were
approached, sponsors were convinced, donors were sought and the concept
was advertised.
Support came from many areas of the community then on the second Friday
in January 1996, came the opening concert of the inaugural season of the
“Organs of the Ballarat Goldfields” Festival of Fine Music.
It was a success as were the subsequent nine days of music making,
dinners and picnics in Ballarat, Daylesford and the surrounding
townships.
A Board of local enthusiasts has helped the Festival grow into ten days
of fine music making by the most prominent of Australian and
international exponents of early music centred on the organ and also
with strings, brass, woodwind and voice. Apart from the professional
direction, the Festival has always been organized and run by dedicated
volunteers.
The Festival is proud to have as its Patron the Governor of Victoria,
The Honorable Alex Chernov AO, QC
The focus of the Festival is not only on music but also on the history
of the area, its churches, its public buildings, its parks and gardens
and its private homes and properties. Where possible this history is
made available to the visitors either through written or oral
presentation.
The social aspect of the Festival is most important with an emphasis on
picnics and dinners. Each year the meals, particularly the Festival
Dinner are popular occasions and well patronized by supporters of the
festival.
Following the evening recitals held in Ballarat Sergio and his band of
merry helpers entertain the musicians, sponsors and invited guests from
the festival family with a tasty Italian meal in our social headquarters
at the well-located Ballarat Bridge Club. These suppers have become a
signature feature of the festival.
Visitors to the Festival come to Ballarat from all over Victoria, most
states of Australia and also from the UK, Italy, Germany, the USA and
New Zealand specifically for the festival.
The “Festival of Fine Music” has made a particular effort in encouraging
local young musicians to perform. This region has many talented young
people who have become recognized both nationally and internationally as
performers and composers. Over the years the Festival Board has been
able to make small contributions toward the upkeep or restoration of
some of the historically significant instruments to be found in the
local churches.
We believe that the “Organs of the Ballarat Goldfields” Festival of
Fine Music has the correct formula to continue as an important facet of
the musical life of Victoria and Australia and we warmly invite music
lovers to attend Festival 2010.
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