MYRIAD: Dances and Dragons

Join MYRIAD, the Percussion Ensemble of the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, for their latest offering of percussion works.

This semester, MYRIAD is honoured to be premiering a new percussion sextet written for them by distinguished Australian composer Emeritus Professor Barry Conyngham AM.

The program also features our very own Benjamin Smith in the premiere performance of his spectacular percussion ensemble arrangement of Philip Sparke's brass band favourite, The Year of the Dragon.

We also present drumming masterpieces - Iannis Xenakis's Okho reimagined for multi-percussion, and Michael Askill's No Rest From the Dance, which is based on rhythmic material from the ballet score for Graeme Murphy's Salome.

Featuring an incredible diversity of instruments and textures, this program explores a full and vibrant colour spectrum of contemporary percussion.

Program

Barry Conyngham
The Room (2026) ^

Philip Sparke
(arr. Benjamin SMITH)
The Year of The Dragon (1984/2026) ^

Iannis Xenakis
Okho (1989)

Michael Askill
No Rest From The Dance (2001)

^ Denotes World Premiere

Credits

MYRIAD, MCM Percussion Ensemble
Brent Miller, Head of Percussion & Director of MYRIAD

Venue Information

This event takes place in Kenneth Myer Auditorium, located on the ground floor of The Ian Potter Southbank Centre. Please enter via the main entrance at 43 Sturt St, Southbank VIC 3006.

Image: Gregory Lorenzutti (ed B Miller) 2026

• Please arrive at the venue at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time to secure your seat. Due to high demand, if you have not arrived by the start of the event, your ticket may be released to any waiting patrons at the door. 

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PARKING 

The City of Melbourne has changed the parking restrictions around the Southbank Campus. Parking control hours are now expanded to 7am–10pm, seven days per week, and are capped at three hours. A $2-per-hour fee after 7pm is also now in place. There is no change to the $4-per-hour peak rate between 7am–7pm. Parking inspectors are regularly in the area fining drivers who overstay their meter, so we encourage everyone to be aware and avoid an expensive fine.  

ACCESSIBILITY 

We are committed to making our events accessible and will accommodate requirements wherever possible. All venues at the Southbank campus are wheelchair accessible. Please contact us at fineartsmusic-tickets@unimelb.edu.au if you have any questions. 

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