Selby & Friends - Chamber music at it's best

2026 Season Is Live!

Tour 4 2026 Selby & Friends
2026 Season Introduction Video
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2026 Season Brochure
Guest Artists
News & Reviews

Welcome from Artistic Director/Pianist Kathryn Selby AM

It’s hard to believe that 2026 will be my 20th Season of presenting Selby & Friends in its current format. Originally created in 1989 as a vehicle to introduce classical music to children through concerts at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, the series and its activities grew to include Macquarie Trio and then Selby & Friends was recreated from 2006.

It has been a fascinating journey and one that has included performances with outstanding artists exploring extraordinary music through the years. It has also been a lovely way to meet Australian audiences and enjoy the irrepressible humour and generosity of these music lovers who have made this, and every season possible.

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Kathy introduces the Season

Explore the 2026 Season Digital Brochure

Guest Artists

2025/2026

Natalie Chee Violin

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2025/2026

Julian Smiles Cello

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Kristian Winther, Violin

2025/2026

Kristian Winther Violin

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Clancy Newman, Cello

2025/2026

Clancy Newman Cello

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2025/2026

Alexandra Osborne Violin

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Louise Turnbull, Violin

2026

Louise Turnbull Violin

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Ariel Postmus, Violin with Selby & Friends

2026

Ariel Postmus Viola

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Timo-Veikko Valve, Cello

2026

Timo-Veikko Valve Cello

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Susie Park, Violin

2026

Susie Park Violin

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Andrew Haveron classical music performer playing the violin

2026

Andrew Haveron Violin

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Miles Mullin-Chivers, Cello

2026

Miles Mullin-Chivers Cello

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Richard Narroway, Cello

2026

Richard Narroway Cello

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Reviews & Audience Feedback

Classical Music Performance review of Selby & Friends

Audience response - Adelaide

“I just want to say thank you for the best concerts. Apart from the excellent quality of the music, I feel we have come to know Kathryn over the years, from her chats, her choices of music, and wonderful range of musicians. For me – the best. Chamber music allows this but is usually swallowed up by everything ‘big’. We no longer subscribe to any concerts , but I drive from the Barossa to Adelaide and back for a Selby concert.”  Lenore, Dec 2025

Audience response - City Recital Hall

“We had such a wonderful and unforgettable evening.” Crystal Nov ’25

Audience response - City Recital Hall

“What a fantastic concert from Selby & Friends! Well attended, too. They started with the Brahms, which was full of everything – energy, passion, playfulness – Faure was a very emotional piece. But for me, the standout was the finale – Hindson’s Epic Diva – full of energy, and the theme will be going around in my head for quite some time to come. It will be a long wait till next year’s first tour in May!” Maureen Nov ’25

Limelight Magazine - City Recital Hall

“Pianist Kathryn Selby’s ever expanding universe of musical friends has a new member for her latestSong Without Wordstour in Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s Principal Cello Catherine Hewgill, who joins her SSO colleague Assistant Concertmaster Alexandra Osborne for what turns out to be a trio made in heaven.”  Sept ’25

Audience response - Robin at City Recital Hall

It was truly amazing being able to watch you, Alexandra Osborne and Catherine Hewgill perform so close to me!!! It gave me the unique opportunity to observe how these splendid musicians played their instruments.  Sept ’25

Audience response - Kay at City Recital Hall

It was a wonderful concert. Enthusiastic and excellent musicians loving what they played.
They performed Difficult and not commonly heard pieces. Their fingers flew!! Magical!!

classikON Review, Melbourne

“The youthful Chopin at 18 was far more a pianist than an orchestrator, thus presenting a work with a massive piano part of great virtuosity which Selby executed with great mastery. Selby’s superb technique constantly made short work of this adding a variety of touch and texture and also achieving her hallmark dynamic contrasts. The constant unfolding from delicate to powerful and back was always expertly controlled.”

Audience feedback - Philip in Melbourne, Sept '25

“The Melbourne concert last night was fabulous and it was a delight to see wonderful musicians so enjoy one another’s playing. I look forward to hearing them playing together again.”

Audience feedback - Penny in Canberra, Sept '25

“That was a sublime concert last Friday, thank you.”

 

- Limelight Magazine '25

“Selby’s strategy of assembling a trio for each season ensures freshness and vitality in the music and informed interpretations… with friends with formidable resumés.”

- Limelight Magazine '25

“There seems to be no limit to Kathryn Selby and her colleagues’ capacity to program and deliver captivating performances of [chamber] music…”

Audience feedback - Sue in NSW

” Thank you for the absolutely wonderful concerts. Yours is the preeminent chamber music series in Sydney.”

- Canberra City News '25

“…the close proximity of the musicians to the audience created an intimate atmosphere, with the full house paying rapt attention to the muscular and assured musicianship of the ensemble.”

Audience feedback - Robbie and Susan from Bowral

“I just wanted to say thank you for this afternoon’s concert. We loved the programming  – a treat to hear the clarity of Debussy as a trio – and to finish with the Shostakovich was inspired. So terribly beautiful and was very grateful for you enlightening talk beforehand as it guided my listening.”

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Audience feedback - Anne-Maree from Adelaide

“Thank you for all of the pleasure that your concerts have given me since I started subscribing in 2022. Your series is a jewel and yesterday’s concert was a triumph.”

- Limelight Magazine '25

“Selby’s strategy of assembling a trio for each season ensures freshness and vitality in the music and informed interpretations… with friends with formidable resumés.”

Audience feedback - Grant from Melbourne

“I have been delighted by the programs over the last few years and my knowledge of the piano trio repertoire has improved significantly.”

- Canberra City News '25

“…some of the finest late-romantic chamber music playing one could wish to hear.”

- classikON Melbourne '25

“This concert was sold out because like me people can anticipate with reliability great performances from Selby and Friends.”

- classikON Melbourne '25

“I am always delighted by Selby’s range of touch and sounds ranging from delicate precision to full and powerful octaves and chords and everything in between. The many layers of part writing are always translucent with clear attention to phrasing and balance of each part.”

- classikON Melbourne '25

“The audience were treated to so much more than very competently played works; they experienced a different, beautiful and musical story with each work.”

- Limelight Magazine '25

“Clear camaraderie, soulfulness and nuanced virtuosity to the fore as Selby and friends explore three rich chamber works.”

- Limelight Magazine '25

“Pianist Kathryn Selby is well known for bringing together exceptional chamber musicians for acclaimed programs.”

- classikON Melbourne '25

‘ All three played as one with unanimity of musical vision. As always, it was a pleasure to be at a concert of “Selby and Friends” along with the other passionate chamber music loving Melbournians.’

- Limelight Magazine '25

“The stellar synergy of the three musicians was clear; while each demonstrated brilliant solo capabilities, their collective achievement lay in a harmonious instrumental balance. No doubt that we have much to look forward to in the next concerts of Selby and Friends’ 19th season.”

- classikON Melbourne '25

“Every time I attend a Selby and Friends concert, I look forward to seeing and hearing more of her friends as well as being confident that I will hear a group of brilliant musicians.”

- Limelight Magazine '25

“And as is usual, trio members provide informative introductions to each of the works. Selby’s approachability and her direct engagement with the audience encourage a deeper listening experience, and she has built a devoted community in Adelaide.”

- Limelight Magazine '25

“And as is usual, trio members provide informative introductions to each of the works. Selby’s approachability and her direct engagement with the audience encourage a deeper listening experience, and she has built a devoted community in Adelaide.”

- Limelight Magazine '25

‘Natalie Chee makes her violin shimmer, Benett Tsai uses vibrato to great effect, and Kathryn Selby’s piano sparkles like dappled sunlight on rippling waters.The Selby trio’s performance of the Shostakovich trio is breathtaking, leaving the audience in a highly emotional state, and the sequencing of the three works in this program emphasises that effect.”

- Limelight Magazine '25

“Kathryn Selby’s program of three extraordinary piano trios culminates in a profoundly affecting performance of a wartime Shostakovich classic.”

- Wentworth Courier, 2024

“Selby’s love of Beethoven showed in every note. Her control of shifting dynamic, and her clear and precise articulation, were spot-on …”

– ClassikOn

“Nothing short of astounding”

- Limelight Magazine

“Selby has such sensitivity and awareness as a chamber musician, and is a genuine Mozartian.”

- Limelight Magazine

“The Selby trio’s performance was spine-tingling.”

- Limelight Magazine

“Kathryn Selby has a remarkable ability to bring together the finest musicians to tackle major works of chamber music and to present them in the most engaging way.”

– Sydney Morning Herald

This is why we go to live performance, for moments like these. This is chamber music at its best, hear them if you can.

– Adelaide Advertiser

Selby and Friends really is the very best of its breed.

– Canberra City News

Like many others, this reviewer could listen to Selby and Friends all day, every day.
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