Saxophonist Justin Kenealy and pianist Coady Green present the world premiere of  Songs of the Helmeted Honeyeater by award winning composer Dr. Jane Hammond, accompanied by new and transporting footage by wildlife documentary maker Angus Hamilton.

The Helmeted Honeyeater was made the avifaunal emblem for Victoria in 1971. Once a thriving species, the Helmeted Honeyeater’s numbers plummeted to a low of 50 individuals due to the destruction of their habitat after colonisation.  A team of citizen conservationists at Yellingbo Reserve have worked with scientists for fifty years to bring the ‘HeHo’ numbers back up to 250, but the bird is still critically endangered. Jane’s new work, with text by acclaimed director and writer Theresa Borg, tells the story of these birds, their habitat, the people who work to keep them alive, and the rich indigenous backdrop to this narrative.

This work is perfectly paired with Ross Edwards’ vibrant saxophone concerto in a new arrangement for saxophone, piano and percussion, Full Moon Dances, Here, Ross Edwards depicts the universal Moon Goddess incarnate, source of plant life and protector of the environment, performing a series of ritual healing ceremonies.