About Us

The Selby & Friends national touring season has earned an enviable reputation for the highest quality performances and an atmosphere of warmth and familiarity where relaxing with an extended 'family' leads to the true pleasure of chamber music - good conversation amongst friends. With media reviews that include the phrases "performances to be treasured", "the series is full of gems", "these musicians set a high, consistent and thoroughly professional benchmark", and audience feedback such as "I so look forward to each concert as they are the highlight of my musical year", it is with absolute delight that Selby & Friends ventures ahead into our sixth national season in 2012.

Selby & Friends presents subscription seasons in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Turramurra and Bowral. Beginning in 2007, the series was created by Australian pianist, Kathryn Selby with a special emphasis on chamber music. Her guests have included Australia's piano trio, TRIOZ, the Janaki String Trio and Parker String Quartets from the USA, and a host of dynamic Australian artists, whose talents have also been the focus of her popular Sydney series, 'A Little Lunch Music' of which she is Artistic Director. ALLM was created in 2008 in association with City Recital Hall Angel Place and occurs once per month.

Selby & Friends introduced two successful new projects in 2011 - the invitation to bring any child 12 and under for free to our concerts so that access is given to those who may become our audience of the future. We also offer the opportunity for our friends in the audience to be involved with the new Selby & Friends initiative - our Audience Commission Award. Thanks to the support of many patrons, we are now in a position to commission a piece during 2012, for performance in the 2013 season.

2012 brings together another stunning group of musicians who will join Kathryn Selby for what will be an exciting and special season. Selby has invited old and new friends to share the intimacy of collaboration and co-operation provided by the rich literature of chamber music. Artists include violinists Sophie Rowell and Natsuko Yoshimoto, both renowned for their chamber music prowess, and British virtuoso Elizabeth Layton, now resident in Adelaide. Elizabeth is a former member of the famed Nash Ensemble and most recently was the leader of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Brilliant clarinetist Cathy McCorkill returns with old friend and superb cellist Julian Smiles. The immensely popular and exceptional cellist Emma-Jane Murphy returns to Australia for October's tour and S&F welcomes the multi award-winning New York-based cellist Clancy Newman, and young Australian violist Glen Donnelly.

This is an exciting mix of emerging young stars and seasoned performers with whom to explore both favourite and fascinating new repertoire. Please come and relax with friends and enjoy this glorious music.