Canowindra Baroque Music Festival

Friday 18th - Sunday 20th September 2026

Van Diemen's Band

In 2026 we welcome Van Diemen’s Band for their inaugural performance at Baroquefest!

Hailing from the wild and unspoiled island state of Lutruwita/Tasmania, 'Australia's Baroque supergroup' Van Diemen's Band breathes new life into historically-informed performance, venturing boldly into "Baroque and beyond" while remaining grounded in their musical heartland.

For the 2026 Canowindra Baroque Music Festival, Van Diemens Band has curated a program that traverses 17th century Europe through to 21st century Australia, via irresistibly toe-tapping klezmer and the uniquely genre-defying Van Diemen's Fiddles.

Performers:
Andrew O’Connor - Bass-Baritone
Julia Fredersdorff - Artistic Director & Baroque Violin
Simone Slattery - Baroque Violin
Katie Yap - Baroque Viola
John Ma - Baroque Viola
Laura Vaughan - Viola da Gamba
Simon Martyn-Ellis - Theorbo
Thomas Wilson - Organ
Rachel Meyers - Violin/Viola
Dave McNamara - Accordion

Festival President - Richard Statham

“Baroquefest 2026 will be upon us in no time with just six months to go as I write this message. The global outlook for everything has changed for the worse since this time last year with fear, doom and gloom abounding in all hemispheres. The music of Van Diemen's Band at Baroquefest in September will surely lift our spirits. Our thanks to Andrew Baker and VDB's Julia Fredersdorff for making it happen for us. The program according to all commentators will be varied and it will be sublime. I've been listening to and downloading VDB's and Julia's other ensemble Latitude 37 for years.

Eleven years on since its formation, Canowindra Fine Music Inc's (Baroquefest) has new committee members. Andrew Baker will step aside as Music Director and Jenny Eriksson from The Marais Project and Elysian Fields, whom many of you have met before at Baroquefest will take over his role with great enthusiasm. Andrew has kindly offered to continue maintaining the website.

Fiona Fergusson our diligent secretary and grant funding application writer extraordinaire has handed things over to Sue Rahilly whose husband Patrick you've seen at front of house for years. Fiona's husband Rob Pearce has graciously offered to stay on board as treasurer. I truly have a wonderful committee. We will be welcoming back again, our beloved patron Marian Arnold this year to bring meaning to the music. As I have recently become an octogenerian, I might need to hand over the chair in due course but for the time being it is all good!

Our thanks are also due to Mrs Karen Keighley for her generous ongoing financial support, to Musica Viva and Helen Payten for their continuing collaboration with the schools program, as well as to Orange Regional Arts Foundation, Cabonne Council, NSW Government and The Australian Cultural Fund for their support to date.”

Patron - Marian Arnold

“Once again, our addictive yearly music fix is in sight! Canowindra Baroquefest… now a must in our annual calendar and promising a weekend of unmitigated pleasure during a year which, for most of us, has not been without troubles. As we enjoy the music, food and good company that meet us in the wineries and olive groves of the Central West we are also now able to contemplate some very significant past achievements,

This is because the Festival has grown in both focus and stature from year to year, and is now triumphantly marching into its second decade of artistic life. It boasts a unique cultural blend: 5 concerts of great music from one of the richest and most sophisticated periods of Western history, given by notable performers in interesting venues; it offers fine dining on local wine and produce in a charming small town setting with significant local history to explore. No wonder that audiences have embraced the concept and now come from far and wide for this much anticipated annual event.

I am proud to once again add my voice to this yearly celebration. It has not simply lived up to the original hopes and dreams of its founder, it has surpassed all our expectations. I am eagerly looking forward to meeting and making musical friends old and new at Canowindra BaroqueFest 2026! I hope I will see you there!”

Festival Musical Director - Andrew Baker

“Welcome you to this year's festival, a celebration of the timeless beauty and elegance of Baroque music. As the musical director, I am thrilled to announce that we will be joined by a variety of artists from all over Australia! Their exquisite interpretations of Baroque masterpieces promise to transport us to a world of passion, drama, and sublime beauty, and I have no doubt that their performances will leave an indelible mark on our hearts and minds.

As we gather in the picturesque setting of Canowindra, surrounded by rolling hills and historical buildings, this festival will be a source of inspiration, joy, and shared experiences. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our patrons, sponsors, volunteers, and the committee for making this event possible. Together, let us embark on a journey of discovery and celebration, united by the enduring legacy of the Baroque era.

In 2026 I will be stepping aside from my role as festival musical director, and handing over to many-time Baroquefest performer and colleague Jenny Eriksson, who will take over as Musical Director for the 2027 festival and beyond. Welcome Jenny!”

Andrew Baker, Violinist, has been a resident of the Central West since 2005. After completing his tertiary studies in violin performance in Sydney and the Netherlands, he has contributed to the musical life of the Central west as a teacher, performer, musical director and arts manager.