Brisbane\u2019s The IncrediBows headed to famed music festival following new Foundation launch<\/p>\n
A group of Brisbane teenagers are heading to one of the world\u2019s most acclaimed chamber music festivals, proving that Australia\u2019s next generation of musical talent is not only emerging, its ready for the global stage.<\/p>\n
Fresh from winning the prestigious\u00a0Musica Viva Strike A Chord\u00a0national competition, the string quartet\u00a0The IncrediBows\u00a0will travel to\u00a0Cairns, this July to take part in the acclaimed\u00a0Australian Festival of Chamber Music\u2019s Pathways Program, and an intensive eight-day immersion alongside some of the world\u2019s finest musicians.<\/p>\n
The opportunity has been supported by the newly established\u00a0Di Jameson Family Foundation, a Brisbane-based philanthropic initiative focused on strengthening pathways for emerging Australian musicians at a time when access to training and performance opportunities is becoming increasingly competitive. With an initial investment supporting programs across multiple states, the Foundation is helping to ensure young artists can access the kind of high-level mentoring and professional experiences that are critical to building sustainable careers in music.<\/p>\n
For\u00a0Ein Na\u00a0(17),\u00a0Eric Kim\u00a0(17), and brothers\u00a0Haydn Li\u00a0(18) and\u00a0George Li\u00a0(15), chamber music began as something they did together as friends at school and then in the Queensland Youth Orchestra. Now, as national champions, they will rehearse, learn and perform alongside leading international artists, culminating in a public showcase concert at Cairns\u2019 Bulmba-ja Theatre on Wednesday 29 July.<\/p>\n
Formed in 2022 under the guidance of mentor\u00a0Tim Li, The IncrediBows represent the strength of Queensland\u2019s grassroots music pathways, and the extraordinary outcomes possible when talent is nurtured early. While Ein is unable to attend due to other musical commitments, violinist\u00a0Holly Shelton\u00a0will join the ensemble for their Festival debut.<\/p>\n
Delivered in partnership with Musica Viva Australia, this high school component of the\u00a0broader AFCM Pathways Program\u00a0is part\u00a0of the cornerstone development programs of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, providing young musicians with rare access to mentoring, masterclasses and performance opportunities within a professional festival environment.<\/p>\n
From 24 July to 1 August, the Festival will transform Cairns into a global chamber music capital \u2014 and for one rising Brisbane quartet, it marks the beginning of a journey from local stages to the world.<\/p>\n
Quotes from the Di Jameson Family Foundation<\/p>\n
\u201cAustralia produces world-class musical talent well beyond our size. Yet opportunities for young artists are narrowing, particularly outside major metropolitan centres,\u201d Founder Di Jameson OAM said. \u201cDJFF has been established to help bridge that gap, investing in our talent to make sure it is not lost before it can thrive. DJFF is headquartered in Brisbane, reflecting Queensland\u2019s growing cultural ambition and emergence as a global city ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Queensland has produced and nurtured classically trained artists now known the world over – from signer Kate Miller-Heidke to violinist Ray Chen to pianist Piers Lane (also appearing at, and a former Artistic Director of, the Australian Festival of Chamber Music), proving that global success can start here. We want to ensure more young Australian musicians to have that same opportunity, regardless of their postcode or background.\u201d<\/p>\n
Quotes from Anne Frankenberg, CEO Musica Viva Australia<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’ve watched the outstanding young members of The IncrediBows develop across multiple years of Strike A Chord since they were some of our very youngest National Finalists. Strike A Chord has been creating pathways for outstanding young musicians since its inception in 2020, and it feels very natural to partner with our colleagues at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, and provide the chance to connect with the outstanding musicians who come together for the Festival. We can’t wait to hear what adventures they will have!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Australian Festival of Chamber Music: 24 July \u2013 1 August, 2026<\/p>\n