Blake Bayley, Grace Kay, Joshua Sumich and Andrea Jordan-Keane holding saxophones, standing under white arches outdoors, dressed in black formal attire, smiling, with a building and street in the background.

Symbios Quartet

Venue: Dining Hall, St George’s College

Date: Sunday 13 September

13 Sept | Dining Hall

Time: 3:00pm

Symbios Quartet is a saxophone quartet and one of Western Australia’s leading chamber ensembles. In this concert, they will present a program celebrating the depth and colour of the saxophone repertoire.

Known for their ensemble precision and thoughtful musical approach, the Symbios Quartet brings together a selection of works that highlight the expressive range of the quartet medium, from lyrical writing and rich harmonic textures to moments of rhythmic energy and contrast. The program will reflect the ensemble’s commitment to repertoire that rewards close listening and invites audiences into a shared musical conversation.

The Symbios Quartet has quickly established a strong presence in Perth’s chamber music scene, performing regularly across recital series and festivals. Their performances are marked by musical sensitivity, balance and a strong sense of collaboration, making them engaging advocates for chamber music in intimate settings.

About

Symbios Quartet is a Saxophone quartet and one of Western Australia’s leading chamber ensembles, in a program that celebrates the depth and colour of the instruments repertoire.

Artists

Joshua Sumich

Joshua Sumich graduated with an Honours degree in Classical Saxophone from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), where he studied with Dr Matthew Styles and Nikki Demandolx. He also holds a Master of Education from the University of Western Australia, complementing his performance experience with a foundation in music education.

Grace Kay

Grace Kay is a classically trained saxophonist who holds a Bachelor of Music with Honours from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). Studying under Dr Matt Styles and, earlier, Dr Erin Royer, she developed an appreciation for a wide range of musical genres and a particular interest in the saxophone’s versatility.

Blake Bayley

Blake Bayley is a Perth-based saxophonist whose work spans classical, jazz, musical theatre, and traditional music. A graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), he is passionate about projects that blur stylistic boundaries and bring diverse musical traditions together, leading him to a wide range of appearances.

Andrea Jordan-Keane

Andrea Jordan-Keane is an Australian saxophonist of Irish heritage whose musical identity combines classical training, contemporary performance, improvisation and Celtic influence. She began playing saxophone after receiving a music scholarship to John Curtin College of the Arts in 2015 and graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) in 2024.

Programme

JC MAYNARD The Onyx

Felix MENDELSSOHN arr. Bruce A. Evans Capriccio, Op. 81

Chris Evan HASS Polar Vortex

I. Snowfall
II. Bloodthirsty Blizzard

Leonard BERNSTEIN arr. Ph. Marillia Selections from Westside Story

Overture
Tonight
Maria
America
Mambo (Dance at the Gym)

Short Intermission

Guillermo LAGO Ciudades

III. Addis Ababa

Arturo MÁRQUEZ Danzon No. 5 (Portales de Madrugada)

Antonin DVOŘÁK arr. Edward Andrews String Quartet No. 12 in F Major, Op. 96 (American)

I. Allegro ma non troppo
II. Lento
III. Molto Vivace
IV. Vivace ma non troppo

Johann Sebastian BACH arr. Anon Fugue in G minor, BWV 578 (Little Fugue)

DIGITAL CONCERT PROGRAMME

Our digital programme is designed for use on your phone during the concert, but is also available online.

Playlist

Explore a selection of music connected to the program, artists and repertoire featured in this concert.