I am delighted to welcome you to the twentieth birthday celebrations of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music. Once again, I look forward to experiencing that uplifting mix of first-rate music and excited social buzz for which our annual Festival has become famous.

Popular artists from previous Festivals will return - the Australian String Quartet, William Barton, Camerata of St John's, Alice Giles, the Goldner String Quartet, Louise Hopkins, Ben Jacks, Jack Liebeck, Simon Oswell and Matthew Wilkie. It is a special joy, in this anniversary year, to welcome back Young-Chang Cho, who appeared at many of the early Festivals.

But I am also thrilled to introduce to you a host of vibrant artists new to the AFCM. It is a privilege to have one of Australia's most eminent composers and pianists - Roger Smalley - in residence along with Wendy Hiscocks, composer, pianist and authority on Arthur Benjamin.

This year, we recognise important anniversaries of a surprising number of much-loved composers: Barber, Benjamin, Chopin, Dohnányi, Mahler and Schumann. The programme also boasts more largescale chamber music than usual and includes an intriguing collaboration with Full Throttle Theatre Company.

The artistic success of the AFCM is only made possible through the sponsorship and patronage of many generous and enlightened individuals and organisations at government, corporate and private levels. Heartfelt thanks are due to all who feel able to help us in these difficult times and to the devoted listeners who so avidly support our Festival.

I know that AFCM regulars will look forward to being part of our community again at the end of July, but would encourage anyone even vaguely interested in music and sunny winters to come and experience the inimitable welcome that Townsville proffers during our Festival. We want our twentieth anniversary audience to have the best time ever!

Piers Lane
Artistic Director