We are incredibly grateful to the Hannan Mason Foundation for their support as our inaugural presenting sponsor. Their generosity plays a vital role in making this festival possible and in ensuring that world-class music continues to thrive in our region. Their commitment to the arts across the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday regions is both significant and deeply valued.
Across this weekend, you will experience performances that are intimate, immediate, and deeply engaging—music heard not at a distance, but up close, in a way that is both powerful and personal. This is the kind of experience many would normally travel for, and we are proud to share it here with our community. This year’s festival welcomes an outstanding group of artists, including Ensemble Q and Ed Le Brocq, the return of Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, the Lyrebird Trio, alongside leading artists Doretta Balkizas and Daniel de Borah. Across the weekend, these artists present programs that we hope will surprise, move, and stay with you long after the final note.
Alongside these concert experiences, the festival continues to invest in the next generation of musicians. Through masterclasses, workshops, and scholarships, we are creating meaningful opportunities for young artists to learn, connect, and be inspired. We are pleased to present both the inaugural Winchester Foundation Scholarship and the third annual Anne Thompson Memorial Scholarship. The Winchester Foundation Scholarship supports students and teachers from geographically remote communities to attend and engage with the festival, while the Anne Thompson Memorial Scholarship supports young local pianists in their development and lifelong connection to music. Seeing the growth of these young musicians each year remains one of the most rewarding aspects of the festival.
Our ongoing relationship with the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music continues to be an essential part of the festival’s success, and we are sincerely grateful for their support. And of course, none of this would be possible without our incredible volunteer committee, whose dedication keeps everything running behind the scenes.
Most importantly, thank you to you—our audience. Your support and curiosity are what bring this festival to life and allow it to continue growing as a truly special cultural experience in our region. I hope you enjoy a wonderful weekend of discovery, inspiration, and exceptional music.
Yours in music,
Glenn
Born from a long-standing dream of giving back to his local community, the Mackay Chamber Music Festival (MCMF) was founded in 2018 by former Mackay local, internationally regarded violinist, and Artistic Director Glenn Christensen. With the aim of bringing high-quality chamber music performances, workshops, and masterclasses to the Mackay region, a small but dedicated team of family, friends, volunteers, and supporters presented the first iteration of the festival in July 2018 at the Mackay Masonic Temple.
In its inaugural year, a grand piano was transported from Melbourne (thanks to Stewart Kelly’s House of Pianos), musicians performed at the same level as the audience, and the hall was transformed with hessian, bunting, and foliage courtesy of Lauren Taylor Design. Seven musicians presented four sold-out concerts and several masterclasses, making the inaugural MCMF a resounding success thanks to the extraordinary efforts of volunteers and committee members.
Following its successful launch, the festival continued annually (with the exception of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) and grew significantly in both size and scope. After two years in the Masonic Temple (2018–2019), the festival relocated in 2021 to the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) to accommodate expanding audiences and an increasing number of educational participants. Across the years, the MCMF expanded its educational outreach, delivering workshops, masterclasses, and rehearsals led by festival artists. These initiatives reached thousands of participants—including students, teachers, and community and school groups—and included the development of a meaningful “Adopt-a-Muso” partnership with the Longreach School of Distance Education. In 2024, the festival introduced the Anne Thompson Memorial Scholarship, honouring a significant contributor to Mackay’s music community and supporting the development of young local pianists.
The festival consistently featured many of Australia’s leading classical musicians and established itself as a significant cultural event in the region. Performers included members of the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, and Queensland Symphony Orchestras, alongside acclaimed ensembles such as Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, the Lyrebird Trio, Arcadia Winds, The Boxties, and the Orava Quartet. Together, these artists presented a diverse repertoire spanning core chamber music works and contemporary compositions in a series of intimate concerts across a festival weekend.
In 2026, the Mackay Chamber Music Festival is proudly presented as an initiative of the Hannan Mason Foundation. Reflecting three generations of the Hannan Mason family’s contribution to the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday regions, the Foundation continues a legacy of community stewardship, leadership, and support for education and the arts. Through its investment in locally driven initiatives, the Foundation supports projects that foster connection, wellbeing, and opportunity. The presentation of MCMF 2026 aligns with this vision, reinforcing the role of the arts in enriching community life and providing access to inspiring cultural experiences across regional Queensland.
Also in 2026, the festival introduces the Winchester Scholarships, generously funded by the John & Beryl Neilsen Winchester Foundation. These scholarships support participation by students from the Longreach School of Distance Education, enabling access to workshops, masterclasses, and performance opportunities, and helping reduce barriers for rural and remote young musicians.
With the continued support of its dedicated committee, partners, and community, the Mackay Chamber Music Festival remains committed to enriching the cultural landscape of the region. Through world-class performances and meaningful educational opportunities, it continues to make music accessible and engaging while building a strong and vibrant future for the arts in regional Australia.
The Hannan Mason Foundation presents the Mackay Chamber Music Festival.
The Hannan Mason Foundation – A legacy of care, leadership and community stewardship.
The Hannan Mason Foundation reflects three generations of the Hannan Mason family and their enduring contribution to the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday regions. For more than a century, the family helped shape local industry and community life through grazing and landholdings across the Bowen Basin, cane farming, hotel enterprises, and other business ventures.
Beyond commerce, they were recognised as civic leaders. Two generations served as long-standing Councillors, while others were strong advocates for regional development. They were also deeply committed to culture and education, raising a strong, well-educated family engaged in music, learning and community life. Today, the family’s legacy continues through the work of the Foundation.
The Hannan Mason Foundation invests in infrastructure, projects and programs that support Health and Wellbeing, Education and the Arts. It prioritises initiatives that are community-driven, locally led and responsive to genuine need.
The Trustees are proud to present the Mackay Chamber Music Festival in 2026. The arts play a vital role in enriching community life and contributing to the broader public good—values long embraced by the Hannan Mason family.
The Mackay Chamber Music Festival reflects the Foundation’s vision of a connected, resilient community where regional people can access experiences that inspire and uplift. From workshops to performances, it brings together musicians, teachers, families and audiences to share in the joy of music.
This special event supports the growth of local talent and fosters a vibrant future in the arts—enriching lives and nourishing the spirit.
In 1989 the Queensland Conservatorium of Music established a regional campus in Mackay to deliver tertiary music courses and support the vibrant performing arts community already well-established in Central Queensland. Providing a focal point for professional performance training in classical music, jazz, popular music, drama and music theatre, the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) was incorporated into CQUniversity in 1996.
In 2001, CQCM moved to a purpose-built facility at CQUniveristy's Mackay Ooralea campus cementing our commitment to being a major performing arts training centre attracting students from all states of Australia and overseas.
Since then, the Conservatorium has established industry partnerships with many of Australia's most experienced professional performers, theatre directors and agents, as well as links with international artists, producers, directors and performing arts organisations contributing to its current national and international status.
The MCMF is incredibly appreciative to CQCM for their generous support as Venue Partner of this year’s festival. Special thanks must also go to Judith Brown and all the Conservatorium staff for making this event a possibility in such a beautiful space.
A perfect getaway for families, couples or the single traveller, The Mackay Region can offer natural experiences, fun-filled adventures or pure relaxation with a backdrop of gorgeous scenery and amazing sunsets. Whether it’s inland, on the coast or in the City Centre, see nature come to life with unique and rare experiences in The Mackay Region.
Fall asleep to the sound of waterfalls and wake up surrounded by lush rainforest. Enjoy sunrise with wallabies or sink your toes in the sand at a secluded beach. These are just some of the unique and magical moments you will experience when you visit The Mackay Region.
Explore Australia’s largest sub-tropical rainforest with a visit to Eungella National Park and allow Finch Hatton Gorge to take your breath away. Find a secluded fishing spot to soak up the sun or head out on an exciting ocean adventure to one of the many surrounding islands.
Escape the crowds and discover untouched beaches and islands. Indulge in fresh, local produce at one of the many, friendly restaurants and eateries that offer superb hospitality. Take in the beautiful blue-water views of the Pioneer River.
Visit any time of the year and you will be able to immerse yourself in the local history and culture and experience exciting entertainment with an extensive choice of events that are unique to The Mackay Region.
So what are you waiting for? Escape the crowds and find your own slice of paradise with a visit that will bring you closer to nature and leave you feeling refreshed, relaxed and rejuvenated in The Mackay Region.
For more information, please visit The Mackay Isaac Region.
Image credit: Tourism and Events Queensland
The Mackay Chamber Music Festival is passionate about bringing great quality chamber music to the region, to be played, listened to and enjoyed by great friends. We are very grateful to our extremely generous volunteer committee, who give their time, energy and passion to help us achieve this mission. We're always open to new ideas and members, so please get in touch if you'd like to join!
Management Committee:
President - Prof. Judith Brown
Artistic Director – Glenn Christensen
Vice-President – John Christensen
Treasurer - Marty Burkett
Assistant Treasurer – Kurt Wilk
Secretary – Vicki Christensen
Community Engagement Officer – Sarah Rozekrans and Lauren Christensen [community(at)mackaycmf.com.au]
Members:
