Community Culture programme Brings Music to Cairns
The Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM) has announced its Community Culture programme, set to bring music to the public in Cairns from 22nd July to 5th August 2026. This extensive programme aims to make music accessible to everyone through a series of over 30 mostly free events.
This new initiative includes international masterclasses, community performances, and collaborations with local festivals. It promises to transform Cairns into a vibrant hub of chamber music, offering audiences the chance to experience world-class music in both traditional and informal settings.
Key events include the Families’ Concert, where classical instruments engage young audiences; the Strike A Chord Showcase, which features Australia’s brightest young chamber musicians; and Corde di Vivaldi, a collaboration with the Cairns Italian Festival on July 25.
Music Beyond Concert Halls
Performances will occur in public spaces, pop-up events, and family-friendly concerts. These events will offer audiences a chance to experience music outside traditional concert halls, creating unique cultural experiences across Cairns.
Among the international artists participating, Berlin Philharmonic’s principal horn Stefan Dohr and celebrated pianist Piers Lane will lead masterclasses. These classes offer rare insights into the creative processes of renowned musicians.
In collaboration with JUTE Theatre Company and Kirtley Leigh, the programme champions regional storytelling. It also continues its partnership with James Cook University through the Colin Roderick Memorial Lecture series, featuring leading thinkers such as Ivor Indyk.
Meanwhile, CARO Voices will add a vital choral and community dimension, supporting inclusive vocal performance opportunities that connect singers of all ages and backgrounds.
AFCM Executive Director Ricardo Peach emphasised that the programme is designed to ensure the festival reaches the entire community, stating, “We want to create moments where music, place, and community meet.”
Supported by various governmental and cultural bodies, the festival runs from 24th July to 1st August 2026. It promises to turn Cairns into a global chamber music capital, set against the stunning backdrop of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef.
Last updated: 29 June 2026, 11:49 am
