The Great Barrier Reef Orchestra is set to perform a new collaborative work with Kalkadunga musician and composer William Barton for the conclusion of the 2026 Festival of Outback Skies. The concert is scheduled for Sunday 3 May 2026 at the Hughenden Recreational Lake in regional Queensland, with the performance beginning at 6.00 pm.
The featured piece, titled Memories of the Ocean Flow, is a major new work for chamber orchestra commissioned specifically for the ensemble by Barton. The composition combines the traditional textures of a chamber orchestra with vocals, guitar, spoken word, and the sounds of the yidaki and didgeridoo. The music is intended to reflect the rhythms and connections found between the reef and mainland ecosystems.
This performance occurs during the orchestra’s 25th anniversary year celebrations. The ensemble has evolved from a regional group into a more substantial cultural organization for North Queensland.
William Barton, a didgeridoo virtuoso, has maintained an international career for over two decades. His previous performances include high profile appearances at the Beijing Olympics, Anzac Cove, and Commonwealth Day at Westminster Abbey.
The orchestra’s 2026 season will continue following the festival with several other scheduled events. These include a Chamber Music Concert featuring Theodore Kuchar, a performance of Barber’s Violin Concerto with Oksana Hretchyn at the Townsville Civic Theatre, and the Queens Gardens Concert in August. The season will conclude with the “Stories” Concert in October, featuring Graeme Connors and the IRAR Band as part of the North Australian Festival of Arts.
