Past Events
Duo Gaku 楽: The Art of Violin and Piano
Sunday 2nd November, 2025
@ The Cube
In November we were delighted to present the debut performance of Duo Gaku 楽 – violinist Kaori Sparks and pianist and MRFM Artistic Director Helena Kernaghan – for a recital that celebrated both the emotional depth and technical brilliance of these two instruments.
The program spanned a rich tapestry of classical masterpieces alongside contemporary gems, culminating in the highly anticipated world premiere of Gordon Kerry's Sonata No. 2 for Violin and Piano and featuring Brahms' much-loved Violin Sonata in D minor Op.108.
This unforgettable performance showcased the finest in new and more familiar music.
The Geoffrey McFerran Young Victorian Piano Competition
16th + 17th August 2025
@ Wodonga Senior Secondary College Performing Arts Centre, Wodonga
In August 2025 Murray River Fine Music was again delighted to partner with the Victorian Music Teachers' Association (VMTA), to present the Geoffrey McFerran Young Victorian Piano Competition.
The prize was established in 2024 by the McFerran family in honour of Geoffrey, who was a highly accomplished and generous pianist, teacher and clinician. Geoffrey championed the pursuit of musical excellence in piano across Victoria.
This year the competition was adjudicated by renowned Australian pianist Timothy Young, who provided invaluable feedback and encouragement to the competitors in each age group.
Timothy Young
Mastery in Motion
Saturday 16th August, 2025
@ The Cube, Wodonga
In addition to adjudicating for the 2025 Geoffrey McFerran Young Victorian Piano Competition - Regional, our local community was treated to an extraordinary performance by renowned Australian pianist Timothy Young.
Timothy performed a captivating recital featuring Frédéric Chopin’s towering Sonata No. 2, Op. 35. A Romantic-era masterpiece, this sonata features the iconic Funeral March, a piece still heard today in solemn tributes around the world.
Shanul Sharma - Operatic Favourites
Saturday 24th May 2025
@ The Cube, Wodonga
We were delighted to launch our 2025 season with operatic tenor Shanul Sharma. A favourite of our border audience, the exceptionally talented tenor returned to the region to perform a selection of beloved operatic arias accompanied by our Artistic Director and pianist Helena Kernaghan.
Featuring timeless favourites from opera’s greatest composers, this recital presented the power, passion and emotional intensity, from soaring high notes to tender, lyrical moments that only the tenor voice can deliver.
Initially a lead singer of a heavy metal band, Shanul made the leap into opera in 2012 with his Opera Australia debut. He has since starred in opera performances in Australia and across the world including for the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow and the Rossini Opera Festival in Italy.
Shanul Sharma - Operatic Favourites
Exclusive post-recital reception
Following the brilliant recital from tenor Shanul Sharma, the audience was invited to join us for an exclusive, ticketed post-recital reception: a meet-the-artists event including fine wine, exquisite canapés and enchanting performances.
Patrons enjoyed a selection of wines from our sponsor Cofield Wines, along with delicious canapés and music performed by our talented scholars William Paffen and Bianca Wijerathne.
MRFM Consultant Gordon Kerry gave a presentation, to share a little about who we are, what we do and how the community can support us, through donations and sponsorship.
This special gathering was our way of saying thank you to our community for their continued support.
Post-recital reception
Post-recital reception
Post-recital reception
Post-recital reception
Piazzolla and Tango
Saturday 26th October 2024
@ The Cube, Wodonga
In October 2024 Murray River Fine Music proudly presented a concert of music by Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla, along with other Argentine, South American and Spanish composers, with the binding theme of Tango.
Classical singer Ayşe Göknur Shanal shared a selection of songs with the audience, accompanied by pianist and MRFM Artistic Director Helena Kernaghan. They were joined by Melbourne Tango artists Quin Nguyen and Jason Loi, who brought the spirit of the music to life through dance.
The Geoffrey McFerran
Young Victorian Piano Competition
17th + 18th August 2024
@ Wodonga Senior Secondary College Performing Arts Centre, Wodonga
In August 2024 Murray River Fine Music was delighted to partner with the Victorian Music Teachers' Association (VMTA), to present the 2024 Geoffrey McFerran Young Victorian Piano Competition.
The Geoffrey McFerran Young Victorian Piano Competition REGIONAL Prize is awarded annually by the Victorian Music Teachers' Association.
The prize was established in 2024 by the McFerran family in honour of Geoffrey, who was a highly accomplished and generous pianist, teacher and clinician. Geoffrey championed the pursuit of musical excellence in piano across Victoria.
The Genius of Shostakovich
25th May 2024
@ The Cube, Wodonga
In May 2024 Murray River Fine Music Artistic Director and pianist Helena Kernaghan and her fellow musicians from Orpheus Trio Kaori Sparks (violin) and Sam Goble (cello); joined with Merlyn Quaife (soprano), Markiyan Melnychenko (violin) and Simon Oswell (viola), to bring to life the chamber and vocal work of Dmitri Shostakovich.
His music was subversive, characterised by sharp contrasts, elements of the grotesque and ambivalent tonality. On the other side was his quirky humour, making him a man of great contrasts.
The program included the Piano Trio No. 1 in C minor, Op.8, the Seven Romances on Poems of Alexander Blok Op. 127 and the Piano Quintet in G minor, Op.57.
Grigoryan Brothers
23rd March 2024
@ Jindera Pioneer Museum
In March 2024 Murray River Fine Music (MRFM) was pleased to partner with the Jindera Pioneer Museum to present the Grigoryan Brothers.
Acclaimed guitarists Slava and Leonard Grigoryan presented their suite 'This is Us', inspired by objects personally selected from the National Museum of Australia’s vast collection tracing Australia’s diverse and complex history.
The evocative nature of each of the 18 compositions was heightened by the projection of a high-definition 3D video of the objects.
Flinders Quartet
28th October 2023
@ Bonegilla Migrant Experience
In October 2023 Murray River Fine Music (MRFM) was delighted to collaborate with the Bonegilla Migrant Experience, to present the Flinders Quartet and their 'Musical Portraits' concert.
The program included Shostakovich’s powerful String Quartet No. 8, officially dedicated ‘to the memory of the victims of fascism and war’ but there is much to suggest that Shostakovich meant it as a musical self-portrait.
Smetana’s String Quartet No.1 ‘From My Life’ was a different type of musical portrait, taking us on a vivid, programmatic journey through young love, and the devastation of tinnitus. In discussing these works, Flinders Quartet began to be curious about how a composer would capture their essence and commissioned Tasmanian composer Maria Grenfell to paint them in sound.
Benjamin Martin
7th May 2023
@ Peregrines
As part of our Autumn 2023 weekend of music, Murray River Fine Music was thrilled to present one of Australia's finest pianists, Benjamin Martin.
In the stunning setting of Peregrines Function Centre, local audiences were treated to a recital of piano favourites from across the years, with a focus on Romantic era works by Brahms, Liszt and Chopin.
Benjamin Martin Masterclass
7th May 2023
@ Peregrines
As part of the May 2023 weekend of music, Benjamin Martin facilitated a masterclass with local piano students.
The performers were (pictured clockwise from top left) Abbey Quinlan, Carla Vogelsang, Banruo Zhu and Bianca Blackberry.
Inventi Ensemble
6th May 2023
@ The Cube, Wodonga
In May 2023 Murray River Fine Music partnered with Music in the Regions to present Melbourne-based Inventi Ensemble.
The ensemble delighted audiences with their program 'The Enchanted Forest', consisting of works inspired by nature.
The program included Beethoven’s famous ‘Pastoral’ Symphony in a stunning new version for seven players.
The ‘Pastoral’ Symphony reflects Beethoven’s feelings of being surrounded by nature, while Debussy’s shimmering Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun evokes an encounter with forest spirits. Inventi also presented a stunning new work by Australian composer Melody Eötvös, The Baron in the Trees.
Inventi Ensemble
6th May 2023
@ Albury Public School
On 6th May 2023, Murray River Fine Music (MRFM) was delighted to have the Inventi Ensemble deliver their exciting 'Fauns and Forests' workshop for kids.
The workshop was held at Albury Public School and involved active participation, with the kids learning about different aspects of the music and the instruments.
Thank you to Albury City Council and Regional Arts New South Wales for their support of this initiative.
Wendy Rule
18th March 2023
@ The Cube, Wodonga
In March 2023 Border audiences were treated to a mesmerising performance by the amazing touring artist Wendy Rule, accompanied by our very own Murray River Fine Music Ensemble; Helena Kernaghan (piano/percussion), Naomi Wileman (cello), Amanda Giblin (vocals/percussion) and Grace Kernaghan (vocals/guitar).
May 2023
May 2023
May 2023
May 2023
Bonegilla 75th Anniversary celebrations
26th November 2022
@ Bonegilla Migrant Experience
In November 2022 Murray River Fine Music (MRFM) delivered a specially curated program of music for the 75th anniversary celebrations of the Bonegilla Migrant Experience. MRFM were honoured to curate the musical performances for this special occasion, and audience members were amazed by the talent and variety of music on offer.
Markiyan Melnychenko (violin) and Benjamin Martin (piano) performed 'Postcards from Europe' in the Tudor Hall; Cosimo Ciccone (baritone), Marie Tabone (soprano) & Helena Kernaghan (piano) performed 'Italian Favourites' in the Tudor Hall; and The Lost Clog presented Lithuanian songs of love, war, harvest, drinking and revenge on the outdoor stage.
Postcards from Europe, Bonegilla Migrant Experience 75th Anniversary Celebrations, November 2022
Italian Favourites, Bonegilla Migrant Experience 75th Anniversary Celebrations, November 2022
Lithuanian songs of love, war, harvest, drinking and revenge, Bonegilla Migrant Experience 75th Anniversary Celebrations, November 2022
Postcards from Europe, Bonegilla Migrant Experience 75th Anniversary Celebrations, November 2022
Orpheus Trio
19th November 2022
@ The Jazz Basement, Wodonga
In November 2022 Murray River Fine Music (MRFM) was delighted to present the Orpheus Trio in concert at the Jazz Basement in Wodonga.
The program included works by Arbos, Dvorak and local composer Gordon Kerry.
Elysian Fields
18th June 2022
@ The Cube, Wodonga
In June 2022 we were delighted to present Sydney-based ensemble Elysian Fields, a contemporary group presenting existing and new repertoire featuring the electric viola da gamba.
The program included a mix of Scandinavian folk, classical and jazz influences plus a new work by local composer Gordon Kerry, composed especially for the ensemble.
Elysian Fields comprises Susie Bishop (vocals and violin), Paul Cutlan (saxophones), Matt McMahon (piano), Jenny Eriksson (electric viola da gamba), Jacques Emery (double bass) and Dave Goodman (drums).
Ensemble Liaison
3rd April 2022
@ The Cube, Wodonga
In April 2022 we were delighted to present Ensemble Liaison.
Ensemble Liaison comprises Svetlana Bogosavljevic (cello), David Griffiths (clarinet) and Timothy Young (piano) and the audience was treated to historic and contemporary gems, from Brahms' Trio in A minor for clarinet, cello and piano (Op.114) to the music of Italian composer and cellist Giovanni Sollima and American pianist John Novacek.
Ensemble Liaison has performed across Australia and New Zealand, including a ten-concert tour for Chamber Music New Zealand and appearances for Musica Viva Australia, Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville, Port Fairy Spring Music Festival and the Woodend Winter Arts Festival, and in 2012 gave a series of festival performances in Central Europe.
Lior & the Border Quartet
22nd May 2021
@ Alistair Todd Chapel Hall, Scots School Albury
In May 2021 Murray River Fine Music was delighted to launch with a performance by one of Australia's most respected singer/ songwriters, Lior.
Lior performed an intimate concert of songs drawn from his vast back catalogue, supported by the Border Quartet - Kaori Sparks (violin), David Pietsch (violin), Damien Jones (violin) and Caleb Murray (cello).
