UPDATES:

The 2008 Festival highlights have been updated check the highlights link on the left menu.

Dates for next years festival are 24th of April to 3rd May 2009

2008 FESTIVAL HOME PAGE

OUR VISION STATEMENT

The Camden Haven Music Festival (CHMF) strives to deliver a festival of national significance that provides a unique celebration of fine and diverse musical experiences

The Camden Haven area occupies the southern part of the Greater Port Macquarie region, and is approximately half way between Taree and Port Macquarie on the mid north coast of NSW. It is a region graced with some of the best weather and scenery in Australia.

For 12 years the Camden Haven Music Festival (CHMF) has welcomed visitors and locals to participate in one of the country’s most enjoyable regional festivals.

In 2008 our Festival performances will be presented in venues in Laurieton, North Haven, Kendall Wauchope and Port Macquarie. We offer music in a variety of styles, dance and theatre, in a friendly atmosphere served with typical country hospitality.

THE 2008 Camden Haven Music Festival (CHMF) IS A
TOURISM NSW REGIONAL FLAGSHIP EVENT

THE THREE BROTHERS STORY

William Barton

A capacity audience in the shadow of “Big Brother” Mountain at Laurieton was privileged to hear the world premiere of William Barton and Sean O’Boyle’s specially commissioned musical work “Ancient Souls, Ancient Land’ commissioned to mark the 10th Camden Haven Music Festival (CHMF) in March 2005.

>> READ MORE about the Three Brothers Project and to order your copy of the CD “Ancient Souls Ancient Land”

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Trish O'Brien

We invite expressions of interest from suitably qualified individuals to fill the role of artistic director from 2010 to 2012.

Our present Artistic Director, Trish O’Brien will direct her last Festival for us in 2009, and we are searching for our next Director who will be responsible for the Camden Haven Music Festival (CHMF) from 2010 to 2012.

We would be happy to hear from those who believe they can contribute their skills and talents to uphold the Vision and Objectives of the Camden Haven Music Festival (CHMF) and who can work with the Management Committee to continue building on the Festival’s growing prestige and attraction to local and visiting audiences.

You will be required to submit a CV, with testimonials and recommendations particularly relevant to working with volunteer committees, demonstrating a wide musical interest and solid contacts within the professional music and performance industry. A personal interview will follow with those candidates who are shortlisted.

Further information can be obtained by contacting the Festival Coordinator Alvena Ferguson on 02 6556 9622 or emailing chmf@tsn.cc

Seachange for Artistic Director

Trish O'Brien

Trish O’Brien, current Artistic Director of the Camden Haven Music Festival is stepping down from her role a year earlier than expected. Trish is giving up her musical career to pursue professional photography. She feels that demands of her new endeavour and of her family mean that she is not in a position to commit the time necessary for developing the 2009 Festival program.

“As you may well imagine the decision is not an easy one to make” said Trish O’Brien. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Festival – it has become a large part of my life.”

Trish leaves the Camden Haven Music Festival after 4 years as Artistic Director during which time the Festival won an APRA award for its “Outstanding Contribution to Australian Music in a Regional Area”.
In paying tribute to Trish’s work as Artistic Director, President of Camden Haven Music Festival, Dr Chrystine Bouffler said “Regular Festival patrons considered that the classical weekend of this year’s Festival was among the best they had attended – attesting to Trish’s vision and outstanding musical presentation. Trish has made many friends in the Camden Haven and patrons have enjoyed her cello performances. We wish her well in her new venture.”

Nothwithstanding Trish’s retirement as Artistic Director, the Festival’s Management Committee is well advanced with programming for the 2009 Music Festival, which will run from 24 April to 3 May inclusive. Enquiries to the Coordinator on 6556 9622.

FESTIVAL SUCCESS

MEDIA RELEASE 14 September 2007

Camden Haven Music Festival (CHMF) has been awarded first place in its category in the prestigious 2007 Classical Music Awards. The Awards are presented annually by APRA and the Australian Music Centre, and attract nominations from across Australia. An invited audience of around 400 in the Sydney Theatre witnessed the event, which was broadcast live nationally by ABC Classic FM. Camden Haven Music Festival (CHMF) was one of four finalists in the category “Outstanding Contribution to Australian Music in a Regional Area”.

Camden Haven Music Festival (CHMF) in good company! At the APRA Awards ceremony are (from left) composer Matthew Hindson, Festival committee Chrys Bouffler, Alvena Ferguson and Ian Ferguson (behind), with composers Sarah Hopkins and Ross Edwards.

Festival Co-ordinator Alvena Ferguson and President Chrystine Bouffler accepted the Award on behalf of the organising committee for the 2006 Festival. In her acceptance speech, Alvena asked the audience “who knows where the Camden Haven is?” Some hands went up, leading her to reveal details of how to get there, and the dates of the next Festival in 2008.

Alvena paid tribute to Camden Haven Music Festival (CHMF)’s Artistic Director Trish O’Brien, whose professionalism, experience and enthusiasm, and close working with the Management Committee, has lifted the Festival’s high quality presentations to even higher levels.

In other categories, winners included a number of previous performers at the Camden Haven Music Festival (CHMF). This further indirect endorsement of the Festival’s high quality standards was emphasised when Ross Edwards (Instrumental Work of the Year), Matthew Hindson (Orchestral Work of the Year) and Sarah Hopkins (Vocal or Choral Work of the Year) each won Awards. All three composers had been guests of the 2007 Festival.

In selecting Camden Haven Music Festival (CHMF) as a finalists in the Awards, the judges commented that “the program is extraordinary – it would more than rival any metropolitan equivalent”.

Camden Haven Music Festival (CHMF) is advanced in its planning for the 2008 Festival, when it will continue to offer high quality classical and world music for appreciative audiences from 25 April until 4 May inclusive. Further information from the Coordinator Alvena Ferguson (02) 6556 9622, email chmf@tsn.cc

Photographs on the 2008 site are from the 2007 Festival. These photos are by Tony Allison ecodigitography@gmail.com