Ascendent Messages: New Music for Guitar and Percussion

Ascendent Messages is a commissioning project aimed at expanding the repertoire for classical guitar and percussion, and pushing the boundaries of the genre. Supported by a grant from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, four new works were commissioned from award-winning Australian composers Kate Milligan, Alice Humphries, Maria Grenfell and Kathy Potter. The works were premiered on 8 February 2025 as part of the Fringe World Festival.

The performance received critical acclaim from multiple media outlets, earning a 5/5-star review from FringeFeed, which praised it as an “unforgettable experience” delivered by “virtuosos in their craft.” X-Press Magazine hailed it as a “magnificent show” that “pushes the boundaries of guitar and percussion to create a new and haunting sonic landscape and reflect on our complex world.”