Sirius Chamber Ensemble was formed in 2011 by Ian Sykes and Dr Alison Evans and is committed to premiering new works by Australian and international composers alongside classics from the repertoire in a friendly, accessible atmosphere. Our regular concert series is performed by a core ensemble of Melissa Coleman (flute), Ian Sykes (clarinet), Alison Evans (bassoon) and Clare Kahn (cello), augmented by guest artists.
A recent collaboration with pianist and academic Dr Jeanell Carrigan AM has resulted in two albums of music by Australian female composers Meta Overman and Margaret Sutherland. The first, featuring music for winds, strings and piano was released in 2025 thanks to support from the Australian Government through Creative Australia, their principal arts investment and advisory body. The second, featuring music for winds, voice and pianos will be released in 2026. The albums include many never-before recorded works, preserving this important music and making it available for the first time.
Upcoming collaborators include composer/performer Keyna Wilkins and didjeridu player Raphael Hatzipetrou, composers Gareth Lewis, Troy Russell, Dr Corinna Bonshek and Dr Diana Blom.
In 2019 we performed the Australian premiere of Corrina Bonshek’s Up in the Clouds and Margery Smith’s The Long Now. We also travelled to Melbourne for a series of concerts with the Melbourne Composer’s League, featuring new music written by their members for flute, clarinet and cello. In 2017 we joined composer and saxophonist Spike Mason on Flying, an album of new works for saxophone, winds, strings and piano.
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sirius chamber ensemble 
Dear Sirius Ensemble,
It is wonderful to have an ensemble such as yours to maintain the varied repertoire available to your flexible instrumentation. I would hope that Australian content will be given some prominence (who else will do it?) and that all of you experience long lasting artistic success as a unit and as individuals…
All the very best,
Stephen
P.s. I have included you in volume 4 of the chronology
Dear Stephen,
Thank you for your great suggestions. We are indeed programming some Australian music this year. More specifically, we will premiere new works by Sydney-based composers.
We are very excited to have great colleagues writing for our unique ensemble.
Please stay in touch for more news throughout the year.