Boyer Lectures

"Whilst our new Australian choral music began in a classical context, artistic collaborations have extended our musical realm to a point where it no longer fits this classification – it is simply choral music." As the founder of Gondwana Choirs, Lyn Williams AM is particularly well placed to talk about the future of classical music. Her work with children over 30 years has created a whole new choral repertoire and a new standard for children’s choirs. In the final Boyer Lecture for 2024, she looks at different kinds of excellence, what accessibility really means, and the pathways that choral singing reveals to young musicians.

Iain Grandage is a composer, a cellist, a pianist, a festival director, and a career collaborator. In his Boyer Lecture, he asks whether classical music has been underestimated in its capacity to connect communities. His work with Indonesian Gamelan ensembles, Noongar elders, theatre companies and the late, great Jimmy Chi, provide waypoints on a long journey from childhood piano lessons to a mature acquisition of knowledge that only serves to reveal how much more understanding is still to seek. 

“There is much to be gained by tapping into the tens of thousands of years of culture that we have available to us in this country. Exposing more people to it can only help to highlight our shared humanity, and to advance the cause of reconciliation.”Aaron Wyatt is a Noongar, Yamatji and Wongi musician: a conductor, composer, violist, educator and programmer. And as the Artistic Director of Ensemble Dutala, Australia’s first First Nations chamber ensemble, he’s working to rectify the conditions in the classical music industry that often see him being the only Indigenous person in an orchestra. In their 2024 Boyer Lecture, Aaron traces the ways that classical music in Australia has attempted to fold in Indigenous ideas, music, and people – from the appropriative, to the naive, the collaborative, and the groundbreaking. This lecture was written on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Land and produced on Gadigal Land. 

In this discussion, Anna Goldsworthy, a renowned pianist, author, and the Director of the Elder Conservatorium, shares her profound insights on classical music. She explores the transformative power of mentorship, emphasizing its critical role in shaping women's voices in the industry. Anna highlights her collaboration with the Seraphim Trio, illustrating the concept of 'kairos'—the right moment in music. She also draws connections between music education and personal growth, advocating for its importance in fostering community and cultural continuity.

What will a quantum computer look like? Will quantum computing supercharge AI? Can it save us from the climate crisis? Professor Michelle Simmons has the answers.

Michelle Simmons, a leading quantum physicist and 2018 Australian of the Year, shares her insights on the power of doubt. She challenges the stigma around uncertainty, revealing how it's a catalyst for personal growth and scientific discovery. Simmons discusses the importance of open-mindedness, the contrast between absolute truths and subjective perspectives, and the unique challenges women face in STEM fields. She advocates for embracing doubt as a means to foster inquiry and inspire future generations of scientists.

The discussion highlights the transformation of scientific thinking, particularly in quantum physics, from theory to practical applications. It emphasizes the role of imagination and determination, referencing the historic 1927 Solvay Conference. The conversation also delves into Australia's innovative strides in quantum technology, inspired by renowned physicists. Additionally, it explores the evolving relationship between academia and commercialization in quantum computing, showcasing a collaborative spirit that's shaping the future.

In her second Boyer lecture, Professor Michelle Simmons details the international race underway to build the first error-corrected quantum computer.

Computing machinery that used to fill an entire room has now shrunk to the size of individual atoms. In her first lecture, Professor Michelle Simmons tells the story of miniaturisation  — and how Australia found itself at the forefront. 

In his fifth and final Boyer lecture Noel Pearson looks at the question of identity, Australian identity, and he argues that our extraordinary diversity and distinctiveness are undermined when we forget the great similarities and commonalities we all share.