An independent collective of professional classical musicians is transforming the traditional concert experience in Sandgate by combining live visual arts with chamber music to raise money for vulnerable community members.
Breaking Classical Traditions
The Riverbend Ensemble was established in Brisbane in 2022 by violinist Helen Carvolth with a clear goal to make chamber music approachable for everyone. Instead of sticking strictly to historical pieces, the group actively champions new Australian music alongside familiar classics.
Their performances often feature a creative mix of styles, pairing historical masterworks from composers like Beethoven and Haydn with reimagined folk tunes and modern works. This welcoming approach is designed to appeal to both seasoned concert attendees and people who have never experienced intimate classical music before.
Where Music Meets the Canvas
A major part of the group’s fresh approach involves cross-platform collaborations that bring different artistic mediums together on stage. In 2024, the ensemble received a Brisbane City Council Creative Sparks Grant for a project called Brush and Bow, which featured an entirely Australian musical programme.
During these performances, nine artists painted live in direct response to the music being played, while other pieces were paired with screen projections of works by local artist Kate Marek. The group regularly premieres new works by living Australian composers such as Dr. Thomas Green, Rachel Merton, and Katy Abbott. Their own composer-in-residence, Alys Rayner, has also debuted original pieces with the ensemble, demonstrating her passion for combining spoken poetry with music, as seen in her recent clarinet quintet works and her reimagining of the classic tune Silent Night.
Experienced Players with a Local Focus
The core members of the ensemble bring significant professional experience from major Australian orchestras and early music groups. Founder Helen Carvolth is the former concert master of the Ipswich City Symphony and has performed extensively with both the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and the Queensland Pops Orchestra. She is joined by violinist and composer Alys Rayner, who previously served as a resident composer for the Australian Voices.
Violist Shannon Luk adds a unique historical element to the group as a trained luthier and specialist in early instruments like the viola da gamba and baroque violin. Rounding out the core group is cellist Alex McPherson, whose background includes playing with the Hobart Baroque Ensemble, the Australian Session Orchestra, and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
Playing for a Cause
Operating as an independent, non-government-funded group, the collective relies entirely on ticket sales and donations to sustain their work. Beyond the concert hall, the members share a strong commitment to community well-being and use their performances to support local social causes. They have successfully raised funds through their concerts for several charitable organisations, including domestic violence support services like Friends with Dignity, the Asylum Seeker Hub, and the youth homelessness building project run by Anglicare.
Published Date 16-June-2026
Photo Credit: Riverbend Ensemble/ Facebook
