Claire Edwardes is putting her marimba where her mouth is for equality and representation
One of Australia's leading percussionists and advocates for change is determined to diversify the repertoire – even if she has to do it all herself.
by Hugh Robertson on 8 September, 2021
When looking at ways to address the lack of representation for female composers and composers of colour in mainstream repertoire, it can be hard to know where to start. Do you focus on live performances or on recordings? Do you commission new works or do you program repeat performances of recent commissions? Do you advocate for change at the top end of town, or do you focus on building from the ground up? For Claire Edwardes, the answer to these questions is simply ‘yes’.
Over 20 years, Edwardes has been one of the driving forces behind new music in Australia. Whether in her solo practice or with her group Ensemble Offspring, Edwardes is constantly interrogating the way things are done in this country, and advocating for them to be done better. You may be familiar with Offspring’s commitment to new music, or their long-standing encouragement and advocacy for Indigenous composers through the Ngarra-Burria program. But Edwardes also has three ongoing projects centred on her own practise as a percussionist.
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https://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/features/claire-edwardes-is-putting-her-marimba-where-her-mouth-is-for-equality-and-representation/
