First Nations Creative Collaborations

WASO is proud to work with Australia’s finest First Nations artists to share powerful cultural content through the development and performance of original compositions and reinterpretations of existing repertoire.  These collaborations provide an opportunity for connection for our Orchestra and audiences, unique music education and understanding and community engagement experiences.

We are proud to present these collaborations at significant events across WA, including at the Perth Concert Hall, Karijini Experience and WASO's biggest end-of-year concert, Christmas Spectacular.

As we develop our Reconciliation Action Plan and our collaborations evolve, WASO looks forward to building relationships that enable us to listen, learn and create, whilst reflecting on the rich culture in which we share.

In 2022 we welcomed Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO (Yorta Yorta) to WASO, as well as soloists Linda Barcan and Don Bemrose (Gungarri), the Dhungala Children’s Choir and WASO Chorus to perform Eumeralla, a war requiem for peace. In 2023, William Barton shared the beauty and majesty of the world’s oldest living culture in Apii Thatini Mu Murtu (to sing and carry a coolamon on country together).

In 2024, Noongar musician Aaron Wyatt conducts his own piece The Coming Dawn, a moving celebration of Country reflecting the starkness and beauty of the Australian landscape. Find out more on this concert here.

Eumeralla presented by WASO and Short Black Opera. Sung in dialects of the Gunditjmara people of southwestern Victoria. The Gunditjmara translation was the work of senior Gunditjmara language custodian Vicki Couzens and linguist Travers Eira.
WASO’s First Nations Creative Collaborations are supported by Bendat Family Foundation.