Speeches
Thursday, 17 September 2026
Reception for the 10th Anniversary of On the Terrace Festival
Rod and I are delighted to welcome you to Government House to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the On the Terrace Festival.
Thank you to Celia and Michael for that magical performance of Miriam Hyde’s “Cradle Song” and “Blackbird”, performed, Celia tells me for the very first time, a world premiere no less.
It was chamber music at its best; intimate, a close connection between performers and audience, with sound which captivates and fills the room.
We could see the subtle way Michael and Celia communicated, we felt the joy of the moment and admired their artistry.
That’s the essence of chamber music. It is intimate, collaborative, and deeply human.
And that is precisely the spirit that the On the Terrace Festival has shared with audiences for the past decade.
The festival undoubtedly enhances our North Terrace cultural boulevard and brings people closer to some of our favourite buildings through music.
It takes familiar spaces - the library, art gallery, museum, Elder Hall, and Rundle Mall and creates special experiences.
On the Terrace invites people to engage with exceptional musicianship and experience an artform some may know exceptionally well, but others may be encountering for the first time.
The festival’s commitment to Australian and South Australian composers, emerging musicians and the creation of new work deserves recognition.
As Chamber Music Adelaide’s flagship performance event, the festival brings together artists, cultural institutions, students, audiences, and community members while fostering cross-cultural and cross-artform partnerships.
We are delighted that Dr Cheryl Pickering, inaugural chair whose vision helped bring this festival into being is with us today.
What began as an ambitious pilot has become a keenly anticipated fixture in Adelaide’s cultural calendar, welcoming more than 3,000 attendees, and introducing many to chamber music for the first time.
At this year’s milestone festival in November five of the seven founding ensembles will be performing, demonstrating a strong sense of continuity.
Chamber Music Adelaide, Australia’s only member-based chamber music organisation, should be proud of its support for a network of more than 160 professional artists in South Australia.
By championing world-class musicianship, you not only grow the appreciation of chamber music but importantly provide support and structure for musicians’ careers including through commissioning programs.
I congratulate you on looking towards the future and building regional relationships and developing a new strategic plan to guide Chamber Music Adelaide’s into its second decade.
It’s exciting that this year’s festival will include new premieres and continue the tradition of making chamber music accessible to everyone including through family-friendly performances and access tours with Access2Arts.
Thank you to everyone who brings the festival to life, often working behind the scenes: the outstanding board members, generous donors, the committed staff team, and of course the artists.
As you prepare for this year’s festival, I wish you every success.
Congratulations on this first decade. May there be many more.