from Australia
First performing together in 2008, Duke and Howie have made the impetus for their duo the presentation of exciting and innovative chamber music. Of particular interest and drive for the duo has been their close collaboration with some of Australia's most prominent and respected composers commissioning, recording and performing these new works written specifically for them. Their debut CD titled 'Australian Portrait' to be released early 2012 includes commissions for the duo of music by leading composers Anne Boyd, Michael Smetanin, Matthew Hindson and Mark Zadro as well as works by Andrew Batterham and Brenton Broadstock. Meeting as colleagues at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, the Duo is regularly featured on the conservatorium's concert series. In 2009 they presented the world premiere of Zadro's X Suite at the World Saxophone Congress, Bangkok Thailand, and in 2011 were featured artists at the North American Saxophone Alliance conference at Simpson College, Indianola Iowa, USA. During this visit to the States they also presented recitals and master classes at the University of Minnesota, California State University Long Beach, University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh and Indiana University Bloomington. Other concerts in the 2011 season included appearances at the Brisbane Conservatorium and as featured artists on the Australian Clarinet and Saxophone Festival in Melbourne. |
