Contra Concerts is an independent Australian chamber music series founded and curated by flautist Jonathan Henderson. The series brings together leading Australian musicians and conceptual programming, presented in intimate and often heritage settings.

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Since its establishment, Contra Concerts has presented touring chamber music projects across Queensland and New South Wales. Contra Concerts has collaborated with acclaimed Australian performers, presented projects in association with Southern Cross Soloists and partnered with regional arts organisations. The series has also commissioned new Australian music, including Tristan Coelho’s Hokusai Mixtape for flute, viola, harp and electronics, recipient of the 2022 APRA/AMCOS Art Music Award for Work of the Year: Chamber Music.

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​Concerts are presented in a one-hour, no-interval format, designed for contemporary audiences while retaining an emphasis on chamber music of the highest quality. Intimate venues bring audiences close to the performers, with the connection often continuing after the concert through informal opportunities to meet and engage with the artists.

 

Through considered programming, exceptional musicianship and intimate presentation, Contra Concerts offers a distinctive approach to chamber music, responding to the way contemporary audiences engage with live performance.