random
overtones
random overtones
is a concept devised and directed by flautist and new music specialist Janet McKay. Incorporating several components, such as tuition, workshops, masterclasses and performance projects, the overall aims are to demystify new music, challenge performance conventions, support emerging composers by commissioning new works, and to bring new music to a wider audience. With a performance focus on works by living Australian and American composers, Random Overtones seeks to strengthen cultural and musical bonds between the two countries.
janet mckay
is a Brisbane-based flautist dedicated to bringing new music to a wide audience.
Janet studied flute at the Queensland Conservatorium, the Sydney Conservatorium, the Guildhall School of Music (UK) and the Bang On A Can Summer Institute of Music (USA). She was awarded the 1993 James Carson flute scholarship and the 1996 Albert Cooper Prize for flute performance (UK) and has performed as a soloist in Australia, the UK and the USA.
Janet has written reviews and articles for the Australian Music Centre’s online Resonate Magazine, international flute publications Flute Focus and Pan, and the Queensland Flute Guild’s quarterly ‘Keynotes’ magazine. She has appeared live on ABC Classic FM’s “New Music Up Late” and is currently preparing her first ABC studio recording.
She regularly presents performances and workshops on contemporary flute technique at various tertiary institutions, including the Qld Conservatorium and the University of Qld. Janet teaches flute at Sheldon College, Anglican Church Grammar School and the Young Conservatorium, and performs with Brisbane new music ensemble ‘Clocked Out’. She has appeared on stage with Michael Franti and Spearhead at the 2007 Falls Festival, and the Indigo Girls 2007 Australian Tour at Sydney’'s Enmore Theatre.
SILVER SWARMS
You may be enjoying a relaxing day of shopping. Catching up with friends over a coffee. Running errands at the post office or the bank. Heading home on the bus. Amid the rumble of the inner city you start to hear little dots of silvery sound appear like passing through a musical cloud. Youre about to experience a Silver Swarm.
Silver Swarms will envelop you with sound, they will emerge from amongst the crowds, they will weave their musical threads in the most unlikely places and give respite from the noisy, clattering world of inner city Brisbane.
Comprised of flute players from all across the Brisbane region, and beyond, Silver Swarms will perform brand new site-specific works by local composers. They will create immersive musical environments, interacting with listeners and responding to their surroundings.
Listen out for Silver Swarms as they transform some of the citys busiest spaces into stunning soundscapes.
news
It's been a busy start to 2009, with several exciting and successful performances in Brisbane and the USA.
those vanished hands premiered at the QCA Gallery on March 15th to a packed audience. The program then went on tour to the USA, where the reception was equally warm (despite the snow in Chicago!). Read all about the travels, the performances and the food at the random overtones blog.
Janet and Antares are clearly passionate about new music - their vibrance, passion, and dedication was deeply inspiring. But it wasn't just their energy that inspired: their talent and execution of the program was brilliant. They showed a finesse in their music that is often lacking in other similar concerts
Danielle Carey, alittlehummingbird.blogspot.com
2009 will bring the inaugural random overtones performance series - ArtSounds - to awesome gallery spaces around Brisbane.
Workshops are an important part of the random overtones vision. by offering opportunities for musicians to engage with each other we can sustain a healthy and vibrant new music culture.
gigs
August 9: Solo
Sydney Conservatorium of Music
part of the New Music Network MiniSeries
September 6: lucid beams
Qld Centre of Photography
more exciting new works for flute and small ensemble
September: SILVER SWARMS
part of Under the Radar (Brisbane Festival)
October 4: lucid beams
Elder Conservatorium of Music
part of the Australian Flute Festival
November 29: brushed with a dark wing
Artisan Gallery
August 24: FILL THIS PAGE WITH SOUND 1
A series of open forums for composers to present works-in-progress.
The Studio, Metro Arts
Guest Panellist - Erik Griswold
Genre - solo instrumental
October 20: FILL THIS PAGE WITH SOUND 2
Guest Panellist - Lawrence English
Genre - sound art, laptop, electronics
November 24th: FILL THIS PAGE WITH SOUND 3
Guest Panellist - Robert Davidson
Genre - small ensemble (2 to 6 players)
Yours is one of the best and most musical performances I ever heard and I enjoyed it very much.
You understand the spirit of the music perfectly and know how to convey it to the listeners - Bravo!!!
Ofer Ben-Amots, composer
sounds
Track 1: Rough Diamond - Anne La Berge
Track 2: Zoom Tube - Ian Clarke
Track 3: Hundreds of Exploding Suns - Julian Day
Track 4: Laconisme de l'Aile - Kaija Saariaho
I enjoyed your playing so much that I thought "Aha! At last we have a young Australian contemporary flute music expert
to carry on the good work of such as Laura Chislett and Kathleen Gallagher..."
Lorna Lander, Australian Music Unit, ABC Classic FM
history
2006
2007
2008
November 10: Master of Music - recital 3
Sydney Conservatorium
July 13-28: Bang on a Can Summer Institute
Mass MoCA, Massachussetts, USA
June 19: Master of Music - recital 2
December 13: Chronology Arts
October 23: Master of Music - final recital
October 10: TRANSIT - solo performance
Metro Arts, Brisbane
September 20: TRANSIT - solo performance
Addison Rd Centre, Sydney
August ?: SUPRA Conference - lecture/recital
University of Sydney
May 25: Modern Music Ensemble
May 15: random overtones - contemporary flute duos
(with Antares Boyle)
October 23: fragmented beauty - solo recital
Nickson Room, University of Queensland
September 27: Critical Mass - new music for 100 flutes
CarriageWorks, Sydney (Co-Director)
August 12: Amazing Women - Clocked Out
Visy Theatre, Brisbane Powerhouse
June 21: Goodbye Elvis - Clocked Out
contact
jcmckay_optusnet.com.au
0422 422 523
I can't remember a clearer and more believable performance of new music for some time.
Julian Day, composer/broadcaster
