Southern Cross Soloists: Maps and Journeys

The songlines of the stars and the world’s oldest practice of astronomy.

Leading Australian chamber music ensemble, Southern Cross Soloists (SXS) balances breathtaking virtuosity with vibrant artistry. Paula Nazarski is a Ngugi Woman, esteemed actor and writer who is passionate about the arts and the role of storytelling in the contemporary world. SXS Artist in Residence Chris Williams is a descendant of the Wakka Wakka people of Queensland and one of Australia’s leading didgeridoo soloists. Violin soloist Eric Avery is known for his hypnotic and entrancing performance style.

About the concert

Their performance in Elisabeth Murdoch Hall explores the rich astronomical traditions of Australia’s First Nations people over the past 65,000 years, believed to be the oldest practice of astronomy in the world. SXS together with Paula Nazarski and Chris Williams present new works by First Nations’ composers Brenda Gifford, Eric Avery and Sean O’Boyle AM in a concert of Australian works inspired by the night sky and the Seven Sister constellation.

Through a unique understanding of star constellations and the interconnection between the sky and the land, they created star maps and songlines that established sophisticated trade routes covering vast distances across the Australian continent and used astronomy to inform their daily lives including their social laws, hunting and food gathering techniques, and understanding of weather and seasonal changes.

This celestial knowledge and deep understanding of the land has been aurally passed down from generation to generation through sophisticated systems, stories and songlines, marking the continuity and intricacy of the oldest culture in the world.