The Mt Isa born musician was used to playing with rock bands until the Queensland Symphony Orchestra invited him to perform their Symphony at Sunset concert held at the University of Queensland in 1998.

From that point on, Barton’s career has spanned countries, decades, and many accolades using his unique didgeridoo performances as a bridge between cultures.

William Barton was taught to play didgeridoo at aged seven by his uncle Arthur Peterson, an elder of the Wannyi, Lardil and Kalkadunga tribes of Western Queensland.

“What I remember so clearly from my uncle is him telling me that the didgeridoo is a language. It’s a speaking language and like any language, it’s something that you’ve got to learn over many months, and many years. It’s got to be a part of you, and what you do,” said Barton.

In a full circle moment, Barton will premiere his latest work Apii Thatini Mu Murtu (To sing and carry a coolamon on country together) with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra as part of their Epic Sounds: Music That Soars event before moving to Townsville for a series of shows as part of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music..

Apii Thatini Mu Murtu will be performed with a full orchestra conducted by Benjamin Northey, with Barton using his famous didgeridoo, voice and guitar. The concert will also include Verdi’s Overture to La Forza del Destino and the Fifth Symphony by Sibelius.

“I’m going to welcome the audience into my musical world, and into the musical world of QSO,” said Barton.

“Music is at the forefront of storytelling and global connections, and the first music so many of us hear is the lullaby, regardless of our cultural background.

“This piece is about reconnection – to our language, to our cultures, to each other and the world we live in. I have composed Apii Thatini Mu Murtu as a legacy piece; one that can be played by professional orchestras right around the world, but also in local communities across Queensland and our country.

“It celebrates our unique Australian sound, it’s a travelling piece for story music,” he said.

William Barton. Sydney 2018. (Image: Supplied)

Barton was awarded the Don Banks Music Award in April 2021 for outstanding and sustained contributions to Australian music and following his performance with QSO, will take his extensive canon of music to the 30^th Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM) in Townsville and then onto Charleville for Music for Stargazing as part of the Queensland Music Trails.

“The AFCM holds a special place in my heart. I premiered a number of my works there and I have always dreamt of returning to perform pieces from my current portfolio, which I have performed on some of the world’s greatest stages, as well as formative pieces from earlier years.

“I am looking forward to creating some premiere addendums to key pieces, music that hasn’t been heard before,” he said.

“Coming back to Townsville, and the AFCM is exciting, particularly to mark the 30^th anniversary of this extraordinary chamber music festival. Performing on Magnetic Island will be a special experience.”

William Barton performs in the Queens Gardens Concert on Sunday 25 July at 3pm, the Sunset Series Concert B4 on Monday 26 July at 5pm at the Townsville Civic Theatre and the Sounds Like Paradise Dinner on Tuesday 27 July on Magnetic Island.

“I’m doing what I love. I want to take the oldest culture in the world and blend it with Europe’s rich musical legacy,” Barton said.

“I guess what I’m doing is giving back: giving back to my culture and my people because I was given something when I was very young and like the old fellas who taught me years ago, I’m just passing it on.”

Epic Sounds – Music that Soars contains two performances on Saturday 26 June QPAC’s Concert Hall. For more information and tickets, visit the Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s website. 

For information about the 30th annual Australian Festival of Chamber Music, visit their website.