Carillonist Thomas Laue – National Carillon (Canberra). Photo by Peter Hislop.

“From the moment the host met me till the end, it was profound. I’d read all the information but was still unprepared for what an intense and amazing experience it was.” Listener.

You request a concert date online and receive an email confirming the exact location where you go to (at least 5 minutes before the given time slot). A host* will welcome you there and explain all the important steps, so you can completely immerse yourself in your concert experience. After the host has escorted you to the venue, you will be seated opposite the musician on a chair at a safe distance (at least 2 metres). Whether you hear an opera singer, a cellist, a flautist, a jazz vocalist, a lutenist, a pianist, a violinist or an oudist will come as a surprise.  Your communication with the musician takes place wordlessly, in complete silence. The musician will make eye contact with you and hold it for about 1 minute. This results in a connection unknown to many participants, from which the music grows in harmoniously between the listener and musician. Try to get involved in this contact, which may be unusual at first, because it is from this eye contact that the musician chooses the piece or pieces that best suits this individual encounter.

The performed piece is not announced, allowing you to remain completely absorbed in the moment and the music. At the end of the concert, the musician(s) will escort you out and you will receive information from the host(s) about the instrument and artist(s) and the work performed.

Neither the artists nor the hosts receive a fee for this project. There is no ticket price, however, we do ask you to make a donation to Freelance Artist Relief Australia to support musicians whose existence is threatened need emergency relief from loss of income due to the Covid-related cancellation of all concerts and performances.  In this way, you can also ensure that you can enjoy your music in the time after the current concert restrictions.

Photographic assistance

• Anna D’Ersu
• Jennifer Hankin
• Peter Hislop
• National Capital Authority, Canberra, Australia

Donations go to: Freelance Artist Relief Australia https://freelanceartistrelief.com