National Trust
Open Search Form Select State Join Donate
select location
  • National
  • ACT
  • NSW
  • NT
  • Qld
  • SA
  • Tas
  • Vic
  • WA
  • Visit
    • Places
    • What’s on
    • Heritage Festival
    • Shop
  • Protect
    • Natural heritage
    • Aboriginal heritage
    • Heritage policies
    • Heritage appeals
    • Projects
  • Learn
    • Collections
    • Education programs
    • CY O’Connor Lecture Series
    • Curtin Family Home Lecture Series
  • Get involved
    • Membership
    • Donate
    • Partnership
    • Volunteers
    • Bequest
    • Margaret Feilman Medal
    • Subscribe
  • About
    • About us
    • News
    • Publications
    • Contact us
  • National
  • ACT
  • NSW
  • NT
  • Qld
  • SA
  • Tas
  • Vic
  • WA
InitiativeWestern AustraliaSound from the Ground
banner image

Sound from the Ground

Initiative WA

A powerful and unforgettable musical experience at East Perth Cemeteries, Sound from the Ground.

In 2016, classical  guitarist Dr Jonathan Fitzgerald was artist in residence at East Perth Cemeteries. He created a music narrative, both historical and contemporary, to reveal new and unexpected layers of significance and stories told by the Cemeteries’ graves. The residency included the commission of an original work by Perth  composer Duncan Gardiner.

Sound from the Ground culminated in evocative performances by Jonathan and members of the Perth Guitar Quartet, Duncan Gardiner, Melissa Fitzgerald and Jameson Feakes in St Bartholomew’s Church at the Cemeteries. The music, performed in a heritage place and surrounded by the graves formed a full immersive, memorable and unique experience.

The project won the 2017 Museums and Galleries National Awards in the Interpretation, Learning and Audience Engagement category. The judges said it was:

“A complex and multi-layered project which unearths much early WA colonial history through the gravesites. The innovation displayed by the musicians in undertaking research, composing music, threading old musical scores and then producing a quality performance night shows a commitment to excellence and innovation in this new National Trust environment. The filming, tv exposure, blogging and very professional program ensure the project is well documented and hopefully the music will be used again in some other context. An impressive and original public program to enhance and promote the stories associated with an unusual collection.”

SCROLL DOWN: to experience the full opening night performance. The accompanying program is also available here as are shorter film clips and artist vlogs produced during the residency.

You can listen to Jonathan Fitzgerald (artist in residence) and Sarah Murphy (executive producer) discussing Sound from the Ground with RTRFM’s Plucked Strings here [external link]

 

Performance PROGRAM

 

 

Funding_Logos and Branding_DCA_Mono Pos

 

Related content

  • Related Places
  • Related Events
  • Related Education
  • Related Collections
  • Related Exhibitions
  • Related Initiatives
  • Related News
  • Related Publications
  • Related Services
Sound from the Ground

Sound from the Ground hits high note

16 May - 2017
Innovative National Trust of Western Australia Heritage Festival program Sound from the Ground has been applauded at
More
National Trust
  • Visit
    • Places
    • What’s on
    • Heritage Festival
    • Shop
  • Protect
    • Natural heritage
    • Aboriginal heritage
    • Heritage policies
    • Heritage appeals
    • Projects
  • Learn
    • Collections
    • Education programs
    • CY O’Connor Lecture Series
    • Curtin Family Home Lecture Series
  • Get involved
    • Membership
    • Donate
    • Partnership
    • Volunteers
    • Bequest
    • Margaret Feilman Medal
    • Subscribe
  • About
    • About us
    • News
    • Publications
    • Contact us

Subscribe

  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians

The National Trust of Western Australia recognises and celebrates the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to their Countries, cultures and heritage across the state and the vital role they play in our holistic approach to heritage conservation and management at all of our places across the state.

follow us on facebookfollow us on instagramfollow us on Youtube
Postal Address: PO Box 1162 West Perth WA 6872 Australia   |  email: trust@ntwa.com.au   |  tel: (08) 9321 6088   |  fax: (08) 9324 1571
Address: The Old Observatory 4 Havelock Street West Perth

© 2025 National Trust

  • Accessibility
  • Credits
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
Menu

Search National Trust National Trust Logo