After its highly successful inaugural event in 2021, the biannual Warren Chamber Music Festival is already considered an institution on the region’s social calendar, and this year’s program from 12th-14th May, is shaping up to be just as impressive. 

Organised by Warren musician Frances Evans and the WCMF committee, the festival includes three concerts across the weekend, culminating in a Mother’s Day performance at the Warren Catholic Church.  

“It has been really fun planning the program for this, our second year, and I couldn’t be more excited to be part of such a quality event for our region,” Ms Evans said. 

“The music selected to fill each of the three completely different and unique programs in this year's festival truly excited me! Most, if not all, of the chosen repertoire has never been played this far west.”  

With her infectious enthusiasm and contacts in the music industry, Ms Evans has attracted one of Australia’s most treasured string quartets, Goldner String Quartet to headline the festival, along with special guests Peter Clark (violin), Katie Yap (violin) and Alexandra Partridge (cello) who first came to Warren for the 2021 festival. Australian composer Fiona Loader will also return and all will be performing a selection of favourites, carefully selected to appeal to a broad audience. 

ABOVE: Organiser Frances Evans, “I give a personal guarantee that each concert will be very different, and all will truly move the audience.” Photo Belinda Dimarzio-Bryan. 

The festival opens with a concert on Friday 12th May at the Warren Museum & Art Gallery on Dubbo Street, commencing at 6pm. Attendees are urged to arrive at 5.15pm so they can enjoy an informal pre-concert chat with violinist Peter Clark.  

“Pre-concert chats are great because you can learn things about the music, and understand what to listen for, before the musicians even strike a string!” Ms Evans said. 

“Peter Clark will deliver a funny, witty, supremely informative talk that will help the audience make connections to the performers and the music they perform.”  

On Saturday 13th RiverSmart will be hosting a market day at the Window on the Wetlands Centre on the Oxley Highway, with food and refreshments on offer, along with live music. A range of stalls are already booked in including homewares, crafts, clothing, jewellery, plants and flowers. 

In the evening the festival moves to Collie, with a concert commencing at 6pm in the CWA Hall on Bundemar Street. Peter Clark will be at the Collie Hotel from 5.15pm for another pre-concert chat where Ms Evans says he will “talk about the musicians and music with enthusiasm and humour!” 

Sunday’s concert at Warren Catholic Church begins at midday, and will include two pieces by community choir Warren SING, members of which were received enthusiastically when they performed in the same venue close to a month ago.  

ABOVE: Warren SING will perform at the Mother's Day concert. Photo Belinda Dimarzio-Bryan. 

“This year's festival will delight both classical music lovers and those who are coming along to hear this style for the first time!” Ms Evans said. 

“I give a personal guarantee that each concert will be very different, and all will truly move the audience.” 

A bus trip has been organised from Dubbo on Saturday 13th which includes the WOW Centre markets, a trip to the newly opened Warren Museum & Art Gallery and dinner and concert at Collie. An optional flight over the Macquarie Marshes can also be included on request. 

ABOVE: The WOW Centre garden is the perfect space for markets and live music. 

The itinerary for Saturday: 

8.30am Meet the Langley’s bus at the Dubbo Information Centre carpark 

8.45am Travel from Dubbo to Warren 

10.00am Arrive Window on the Wetlands Centre Warren 

10.00 - 2.00pm Markets/lunch/entertainment at the WOW Centre 

2.05pm Depart WOW Centre 

2.15pm Warren Airport (drop off) 

2.25pm Warren Museum (drop off) 

3.25pm WOW Centre (pick up) 

3.35pm Warren Museum (pick up) 

3.45pm Warren Airport (pick up)  

4.00pm Depart for Collie 

4.45pm Dinner at the Collie Hotel 

5.30pm Travel 500m to the Collie Community Hall (drop off) for a 6pm start 

7.30pm Collie Community Hall (pick up) 

7.45pm Depart Collie for return to Dubbo  

9.00pm Drop off at the Dubbo Information Centre 

For more information and tickets:  

Warren Chamber Music Festival – $15 per adult, $10 per child at the door, or https://www.warrenchambermusicfestival.com/ or at Warren Shire Council.  

Frances Evans 0435 958 447. 

Bus trip tickets and scenic flight details – Shona Whitfield 0439 452 919 or 

https://www.123tix.com.au/events/38404/bus-tour-warren-chamber-music-and-market-day