The 2006 Aurora Festival has come to a close, and in the words of the Australian Music Curator at ABC Classic FM, Stephen Adams, was an “unqualified success”.

There were so many wonderful highlights, it would not be fair to single out any in particular event. From the opening lecture and discussion by Professor Anne Boyd at the Campbelltown Arts Centre to the broadcast of the Aurora Festival Remix on the ABC Radio National programme The Night Air, there were many, many pieces and performances that will live long in my own memory. Having said this, Terry Riley‘s solo piano performance at the Parramatta Riverside Theatre was an inspirational, historic event.

A glowing review of the opening day’s concerts at the Parramatta Riverside Theatre was published by The Australian.

The great thing about the Aurora Festival was that there was such a strong, positive response to the living music and the A-Grade performances. Western Sydney is an area that has traditionally been ignored in terms of contemporary art music practice.

Even better was the fact that so much of the festival was broadcast nationally on ABC Classic FM. ABC Classic FM has an average listening audience at any time of 200, 000 people – a huge and important audience that makes the entire event accessible throughout Australia.

The next Aurora Festival will take place in 2008. We have some amazing items already lined up – it will be even more exciting, if that is possible!