About Us

Chamber Music Concerts of Excellence and workshops to our community youth and elderly.

SILO SOUNDS is a vibrant collective of elite musicians and passionate local music enthusiasts residing in Harden Murrumburrah. Our vision is to bring world-class chamber music to our small rural community, enriching lives through the transformative power of music. We are dedicated to fostering a sense of belonging and cultural vibrancy in our town by delivering exceptional classical music recitals and workshops that engage people of all ages. In 2025 we will present 4 classical chamber music recitals and 6 community classical music mentoring events

Since our inception in 2022, we have successfully created a thriving cultural hub that combines musical excellence with community outreach. Our achievements include presenting 12 world-class chamber music concerts and organizing 17 community workshops, which have been attended by over 1,400 participants in a town with a population of just 2,000. These events have directly contributed to a rejuvenated interest in music education, evidenced by the public school band program’s growth from six to 35 children.

Through our Community Classical Music Mentoring Programme, we have enriched the lives of both youth and elders by introducing them to classical instruments, fostering self-expression, and promoting a sense of community well-being. Our dedication extends beyond performances; we actively engage with schools, provide hands-on experiences with classical instruments, and support local musicians and students through mentorship.

Our events are held in the historic Ross Memorial Uniting Church, a venue whose ambiance is elevated by the addition of a newly donated Yamaha S6X recital piano. This exquisite setting allows us to attract world-class soloists and ensembles, while our dedicated team of volunteers ensures each event delivers a high-caliber experience for both performers and attendees. Despite the challenges of limited funding, our organization continues to thrive, driven by our commitment to sustaining the cultural and emotional fabric of Harden Murrumburrah.

Our enthusiastic team and local committee make these events possible and are dedicated to delivering top-tier recital experiences.

SILO SOUNDS Inc:

Chairperson: Stewart Bruce

Artistic Director and Administrator: Deborah de Graaff

Public Officer and Secretary: Leah Miller Lock

Treasurer: Jennifer ‘JJ’ Smith

Publicity Officer: Helen Bruce

Front of House: Jennifer Lawlor

Member: Barry Wooldridge

ABOUT OUR NAME

Why are we called Silosounds

An area which sheltered and has been a meeting place of the Wiradjuri people for millennia – just near the bend in the Murrimboola creek – is the location of the Harden Murrumburrah SILOS.

These have in recent times been painted by Mongolian Melbourne-based artist Heesco the pictures depicting on one side the pioneer wheat farmers and on the other side the gold prospectors.

Our logo is a sound wave that ties together our past and our present, woven from the hills that surround us – the Hilltops logo – travelling through the SILO silhouette, it represents the role of music, binding our original custodian heritage to our pioneer, farming culture and the importance of our respect for this beautiful country.

ABOUT OUR VENUE

Ross Memorial Uniting Church

Nestled in the heart of Hilltops, the Ross Memorial Uniting Church is a masterpiece of stone and wood, offering a warm, intimate ambiance and outstanding acoustics that make every concert a magical experience. This delightful 250-seat venue features raked timber flooring and a fully restored pipe organ, adding to its charm.

Gifted to the Presbyterian Church of Australia by the generous Mr. & Mrs. William E. Ross of Garangula Station, this architectural gem was constructed in just five and a half months, opening its doors on December 15, 1915. The unique downward-sloping floor towards the pulpit, combined with the on-site craftsmanship of all its wooden elements, makes this church truly special. The historic pipe organ, which began playing 14 months after the church opened, adds to the rich heritage of this beautiful building. Built to accommodate a growing congregation, this church replaced the original St. Andrew’s Church, which now serves as the church hall.

Please click play to see an aerial view of our venue, accompanied by SILO SOUNDS Chairman Stewart Bruce at the piano

ABOUT OUR LOCATION

Hilltops Region

Visiting Hilltops LGA for the first time? Turn your concert experience into a weekend getaway! Discover picturesque vineyards, charming fruit farms, cozy coffee shops, and delightful antique stores. After our enchanting concert, treat yourself to a complimentary sumptuous high tea, soak in the country hospitality, and unwind at one of our inviting motels, hotels, or B&Bs.

The geological origins of the Hilltops Region are mysterious; millions of years ago fertile soils arrived and have nourished humans for thousands of years. The original custodians of the land were the Wiradjuri people. In the 1820’s Europeans arrived in the district now known as Boorowa; areas further west in were settled in about 1830. Gold rushes brought a higher population, and from 1860 and towns and villages grew.

The Hilltops is one of the Australia’s most fertile regions. Before European settlement, the original land owners of the Hilltops Region were the Wiradjuri people, who sowed and reaped crops of local legumes, seeds and yams, and used fires stick farming and other brilliant technologies to manage indigenous livestock. A coincidence of history meant peaceable first contact between some Wiradjuri people and European settlers in the Hilltops region. The NSW Colony’s government in 1826 declared the “limits of location,” beyond which settlers were not protected by the colonial government.

ABOUT OUR PIANO

Yamaha S6X piano

A Newborn Piano with the Aura of a Vintage Instrument.

Yamaha’s Acoustic Resonance Enhancement (A.R.E.) technology revolutionizes piano craftsmanship by seasoning the rims of SX Series pianos. This process, which reduces moisture and induces chemical changes, mimics the aging of wood, resulting in a warm, mature tone. With A.R.E., the SX Series delivers sustained resonance and precision, even for the most delicate pianissimo notes.

Rims: The Key to Acoustic Clarity and Warmth.

Our Yamaha SX Series features meticulously selected wood for the inner and outer rims, chosen for their acoustic properties. By using thicker materials and fewer glue layers, Yamaha enhances the wood’s natural resonance, enriching the bass and mid-range tones while maintaining a warm, inviting sound.

New Hammer Felt Expands the Range of Tonal Color.

The SX Series’ exclusive hammer felt, perfected through extensive prototyping, complements the piano body flawlessly. This felt’s elasticity ensures clear, beautiful tonal colors and balanced density across the piano’s range, providing players with unparalleled artistic freedom and expressive nuance.

Strengthened Back Beams Sustain the Piano’s Body and Sound.

To withstand the powerful forces of fortissimo passages, the SX Series boasts back frame beams that are 20% thicker than previous models. This design enhancement ensures a more rigid body, minimizing unwanted vibrations and creating a stable foundation for rich, resonant sound.

Bass Strings Hand-Wound by Skilled Yamaha Craftsmen.

Hand-wound bass strings, created by Yamaha’s seasoned experts, achieve perfect balance and tension. This meticulous craftsmanship results in a beautifully resonant sound with harmonious overtones.

Appearance and Finish that Embody the SX Series Sound.

The SX Series piano combines sleek, modern design with graceful curves, reflecting its elegant and expressive sound. Building on the legacy of the previous S Series, it incorporates practical innovations to establish itself as the ideal contemporary piano for the stage.

A Soundboard that Resonates with the Emotions of the Performer.

Crafted from strong European spruce, the SX Series soundboard features a convex section known as the crown, which efficiently transmits string vibrations. Utilizing techniques from Yamaha’s flagship CFX, the soundboard offers remarkable projection and durability, delivering rich overtones and a wide range of expressive tonal colors.

ABOUT OUR PIPE ORGAN

History

Our magnificent pipe organ, a Romantic-style masterpiece built in 1917 by South Australian organ builder Josiah Eustace Dodd (1856-1952), cost £950, a sum raised by our dedicated congregation. Featuring a mechanical tracker action, two manuals (Great and Swell), a full pedal keyboard with pneumatic action, and various couplers, this organ is a true gem. Local lad Mervyn Anderson, who assisted in its construction, proudly claimed to be the first local to play it.

The organ’s grand debut took place on February 10, 1917, with Sydney City organist Mr. Ernest Truman at the helm. On October 22, 2018, we celebrated its centenary with a concert featuring distinguished organists David Johnson (Crookwell), James Porteous (Canberra), and David Powell (Sydney).

Maintained in excellent condition, our organ benefits from the expert care of Ian Brown (organ builder of Ballina), who has serviced it for the past 60 years (as of 2024). Ian’s recent extensive restoration work ensures this historic instrument continues to deliver its beautiful sound. At the Organ Centenary Concert in 2018, Ian was honored with a 54-year service certificate.

VISIT BY DODD RELATIVES TO THE ROSS MEMORIAL CHURCH TO VIEW THE PIPE ORGAN

On 1st December 2018, three ladies visited our church specifically to inspect the pipe organ. Their interest stems from the fact that they are all direct descendants of J E Dodd, who built and installed the instrument.

In the photo below are Wendy Atkinson (right), her mother Eunice Cutcliffe (middle) and Eunice’s sister Wendy Dodd. The two sisters Eunice and Wendy are grand-daughters of Josiah Eustace Dodd who installed the pipe organ around 1916. The father of Wendy and Eunice was J E Dodd’s son, also a pipe organ builder.

The ladies were thrilled to see the organ, hear it being played (by Stewart Bruce) and gave a significant donation towards its maintenance.