Australian Festival of Chamber Music | Hayllar Music Tours
Australian Festival of Chamber Music
Australian Festival of Chamber Music | Hayllar Music Tours
Australian Festival of Chamber Music
AUSTRALIAN FESTIVAL OF CHAMBER MUSIC
25–29 JULY 2025 (5 DAYS) | ATTEND THE FIRST HALF OF THE AFCM INCLUDING 10 CONCERTS & EVENTS, INFORMATIVE TALKS AND EXCLUSIVE PRIVATE EVENTS
Join us for the first half of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville in 2025. Attend 10 performances and events including two Concert Conversations, three Sunset Series concerts, the Opening Night concert, Governor’s Gala, a special concert at St James’ Cathedral, the Sunday Night Concert and an Evening Series concert. Enjoy private talks on the music we will hear from Tour Leader Jack Stephens, and attend exclusive events including a dinner with artists performing in the festival and an In-Conversation with Festival Artistic Director, Jack Liebeck. Enjoy all of this while staying in the luxury Ville Resort-Casino magnificently located with stunning views of iconic Castle Hill and Magnetic Island.
AUD$4,650 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
LOYALTY CLUB PRICE: AUD$4,417.50
Single supplement: AUD$550
Deposit payment 1: Deposit AUD$1,500 per person (due at time of booking)
Deposit payment 2: Deposit AUD$1,500 per person (due on 25 March 2025)
Final payment due: 22 May 2025
Places Available
tour leader
Overview | Australian Festival of Chamber Music
Overview
Overview | Australian Festival of Chamber Music
Overview
OVERVIEW
Immerse yourself in a busy and exciting program at the first half of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music with a Gold Plus Subscription giving you access to 10 outstanding concerts and events.
Attend insightful private talks presented by your Tour Leader, Jack Stephens, about the performances you will hear.
Attend an exclusive In-Conversation with Festival Artistic Director, Jack Liebeck hosted by Tour Leader, Jack Stephens.
Attend a private pre-concert dinner with artists performing in the festival.
Enjoy four nights at The Ville Resort-Casino, Townsville, magnificently located with stunning views of iconic Castle Hill and Magnetic Island staying in a Resort King Ocean Room.
Travel in a small group (maximum 20 people) giving you the opportunity to get to know your fellow guests and to enjoy one-on-one time with your Tour Leader.
TOUR LEADER
jack Stephens
Sydney-born conductor, bass and artistic director, Jack Stephens is the Director of Music at St Paul’s College, Sydney. Jack has been regarded for his ‘artistic brilliance’ (TheMusicTrust), and under his direction the St Paul’s College Chapel Choir has been noted for its ‘faultless performances’ and ‘exquisite musical beauty’ (CanberraCityNews 2023). This year Jack will direct the choir in residencies in Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral London, Canterbury Cathedral and York Minster, as well as presenting concerts at Saint-Eustache, La Madeleine and Saint-Sulpice.
Jack has been a soloist with the Choir of Christ Church St Laurence, Bach Akademie Australia, Victoria Chorale, and was an Associate Artist with the Song Company. He is currently nearing completion of his doctorate researching the staging of Bach’s Passions. Jack is the Artistic Director of Tarsus Chamber Collective and of the Sydney Cantata Project, which regularly present concerts featuring the unknown cantatas of JS Bach with Australia’s leading early-music specialists.
Jack performs regularly as a soloist at the Albury Chamber Music Festival, Canberra International Music Festival, and the Four Winds Festival Bermagui. Recently Jack completed a project directing the complete operas of Purcell, most recently The Fairy Queen, and in 2022 Dido and Aeneas featuring Sally-Anne Russell, Andrew Goodwin and Celeste Lazarenko, and in 2021 Purcell’s King Arthur with Peter Cousens. Jack regularly gives the pre-concert talks for the Australian Chamber Orchestra, is the Producer and Director of Victoriana!, and is supported as a scholar of the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust.
Hotel
THE VILLE RESORT-CASINO, TOWNSVILLE
The 4-star Ville Resort-Casino, Townsville, is beautifully located, with stunning views of iconic Castle Hill, Magnetic Island and the Coral Sea. It is 20-minute walk to the Strand, a 2.2km palm tree lined beachfront promenade and a 30-minute walk or a 10-minute taxi journey to the restaurant precincts of Palmer and Flinders Streets. The Ville Resort includes an exciting assortment of restaurants, bars and cafes, including The Palm House Pizzeria, Miss Songs, providing classic Chinese cuisine fused with South East Asian influences, and the Spin Café, offering casual meals and snacks. The Quarterdeck and Splash Bars serve drinks with spectacular uninterrupted views of Magnetic Island. There is a luxurious resort pool and a gymnasium.
The tour cost includes a Resort King Ocean Room.
Upgrade options are available as follows:
Upgrade to an Executive King Ocean Room for AUD$120 for the full duration of your stay (subject to availability).
Located on the top three floors of the hotel, this premium room features a king bed and a beautiful bathroom with a deep bath. The room also enjoys views of beautiful Magnetic Island across the Coral Sea.
Select your upgrade option when booking below, or contact us on 02 9669 9181.
25–29 JULY 2025 (5 DAYS)
AUD$4,650 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
Single supplement: AUD$550
Places Available
Itinerary | Australian Festival of Chamber Music
Itinerary
Itinerary | Australian Festival of Chamber Music
Itinerary
ITINERARY
DAY 1 | FRIDAY 25 JULY 2025
1ST OF 4 NIGHTS AT THE VILLE RESORT-CASINO, TOWNSVILLE
ARRIVE TOWNSVILLE & THE AUSTRALIAN FESTIVAL OF CHAMBER MUSIC:
Guests arrive at the stylish Ville Resort-Casino Townsville, wonderfully located with panoramic views of Magnetic Island, the Coral Sea, Castle Hill and Townsville City, and just a short walk to the Strand, a 2.2km palm tree lined beachfront promenade. Hotel check-in is at 2:00pm and we recommend arriving at this time.
At 3:30pm we attend welcome drinks followed by our first pre-concert talk by our Tour Leader, Jack Stephens. We then enjoy a delicious pre-concert dinner where we have the opportunity to dine with some of the musicians performing in the festival. After this we attend the Opening Night Concert of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music at Townsville Civic Theatre.
DAY 2 | SATURDAY 26 JULY 2025
2ND OF 4 NIGHTS AT THE VILLE RESORT-CASINO, TOWNSVILLE
AUSTRALIAN FESTIVAL OF CHAMBER MUSIC:
This morning we attend our first informative Concert Conversation hosted by Festival Artistic Director, Jack Liebeck at Townsville Civic Theatre.
Following the Concert Conversation, the early afternoon is free. In your free time you might like to explore some of the city’s attractions such as the Museum of Tropical Queensland, a museum of natural history, archaeology and history which is a 15-minute stroll from our hotel, or the Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville's premier regional art gallery, a 20-minute walk from our hotel, which offers a range of local, national and international exhibitions.
In the late afternoon, Jack Stephens will give a pre-concert talk about the music we will hear in this evening’s concerts. We then attend two concerts, the first Ray Golding Sunset Series Concert and the Governor’s Gala.
DAY 3 | SUNDAY 27 JULY 2025
3RD OF 4 NIGHTS AT THE VILLE RESORT-CASINO, TOWNSVILLE
AUSTRALIAN FESTIVAL OF CHAMBER MUSIC:
After a leisurely breakfast we travel by private coach to admire the views from Castle Hill Lookout. We then travel to St James’ Cathedral and attend a special concert in the atmospheric cathedral. Following this, the early afternoon is free to relax at the hotel or to enjoy Townsville.
In the late afternoon, Jack will give a pre-concert talk about the music we will hear in this evening’s concerts. We then attend two concerts, the second Sunset Series Concert and the festival’s Sunday Night Concert. Between performances we will attend a private Q&A with Festival Artistic Director, Jack Liebeck hosted by our Tour Leader, Jack Stephens.
DAY 4 | MONDAY 28 JULY 2025
4TH OF 4 NIGHTS AT THE VILLE RESORT-CASINO, TOWNSVILLE
AUSTRALIAN FESTIVAL OF CHAMBER MUSIC:
This morning we attend our second informative Concert Conversation hosted by Jack Liebeck. This will take place at The Denise Glasgow Performing Arts Centre, a new building on the grounds of Pimlico High School, which is a 15-minute drive from the hotel.
The early afternoon is then free. In the late afternoon Jack Stephens will give a pre-concert talk about the concerts we will hear this evening. We then attend our third Sunset Series Concert and the Festival’s Evening Concert. Between the concerts we will have a light dinner at Townsville Civic Theatre. On our return to The Ville we have a drinks function to celebrate the end of the tour.
DAY 5 | TUESDAY 29 JULY 2025
TOUR ENDS
Following our final breakfast, the tour concludes.
Please note: The festival will announce their 2025 program in early 2025.
Inclusions | Australian Festival of Chamber Music
Inclusions
Inclusions | Australian Festival of Chamber Music
Inclusions
INCLUSIONS
25–29 JULY 2025 (5 DAYS)
AUD$4,650 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE
Single supplement: AUD$550
Deposit payment 1: Deposit AUD$1,500 per person (due at time of booking)
Deposit payment 2: Deposit AUD$1,500 per person (due on 25 March 2025)
Final payment due: 22 May 2025
INCLUSIONS:
Performances: Gold Plus Subscription seating for 10 performances and events at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music.
Tour Leader and Talks: Tour leadership and private talks about the music by Jack Stephens.
Tour Manager: An experienced Tour Manager to accompany the group throughout the tour.
Hotels: Four nights’ accommodation at the 4-star The Ville Resort-Casino, Townsville staying in a Resort King Ocean Room. Upgrade options are available as follows:
Upgrade to an Executive King Ocean Room for AUD$120 for the full duration of your stay (subject to availability).
Located on the top three floors of the hotel, this premium room features a king bed and a beautiful bathroom with a deep bath. The room also enjoys views of beautiful Magnetic Island across the Coral Sea.
Travel: Land travel by private air-conditioned coach.
Meals/Drinks: Breakfast each morning. Two dinners with wine, water and tea/coffee and farewell drinks.
Tips: Tips for drivers, local guides and for meals included in your itinerary.
Information Pack: Comprehensive pre-tour information pack.
EXCLUSIONS:
Domestic Travel: Hayllar Music Tours can provide you with a quote. Phone 02 9669 9181 / +61 2 9669 9181 or email contact@hayllarmusictours.com
Airport Transfers: Transfers to/from airports and hotels at the beginning and end of the tour.
Travel Insurance: Please note that travel insurance is recommended for tours within Australia. Hayllar Music Tours can organise your travel insurance for you. Please contact them at phone 02 9669 9181 / +61 2 9669 9181 or email contact@hayllarmusictours.com
Meals: Lunches and dinners not nominated in your itinerary.
Personal Expenses: Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls and mini-bar.
Activities in Free Time: Costs associated with any activities suggested for you in your free time.
SMALL GROUP SIZE
The tour will operate with 8 people. The maximum number on the tour will be 20 people.
FITNESS LEVEL REQUIRED - LEVEL 1
All members of the group must feel comfortable walking for 1–2 hours and embarking/disembarking coaches.
BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS
Please note that booking terms and conditions apply. Click here for the booking terms and conditions.
Booking | Australian Festival of Chamber Music
Booking
Booking | Australian Festival of Chamber Music
Booking
AUSTRALIAN FESTIVAL OF CHAMBER MUSIC
DEPOSIT ONLY | AUD$1,500 PER PERSON
25–29 JULY 2025 (5 DAYS) | ATTEND THE FIRST HALF OF THE AFCM INCLUDING 10 CONCERTS & EVENTS, INFORMATIVE TALKS AND EXCLUSIVE PRIVATE EVENTS