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.
