The Musical Fence in Winton
Commissioned by the Queensland Music Festival in 2003, the creation of ‘The Fence’ was a collaborative endeavour with the generous support of the Winton Shire Council and the local community. It is a giant string instrument connecting tuned fence wires to bespoke overhead acoustic resonators. Over the years, The Fence has become a popular tourist attraction, welcoming a steady flow of visitors who engage with and explore the unique music and sounds on offer.
In July 2003 I composed and directed a performance for the opening concert, featuring over 100 local players. The spectacle included massed fence players, The Scared Weird Little Guys, bush poetry, community hymns, pre-school dancers, and even a crossover with a local pony club. Despite a planned road train driving through the middle of the show, a (non-fatal) traffic accident the day before unfortunately prevented the transport company’s participation.
Photos from 2003 – fence construction, rehearsals and inaugural concert
In 2005 we introduced the Bush Drum Kit, designed and built by David Murphy, just in time for the opening concert of the Queensland Music Festival. The press release said:
“On Friday 15 July, as the sun rises over the iconic town of Winton, grand master shakuhachi player Riley Lee will herald the dawn of Queensland Music Festival 2005 as part of the glorious OPENING CELEBRATION.
The Musical Fence will resonate for audiences as the sun rises, with performances from the very special Winton Waltzing Matilda Choir, Barcaldine Big Marimba Band and the winton Fence Band. Over 200 people form these three groups and they will play alongside sensational international guests H’Sao from Chad in Central Africa and New Zealand’s explosive Strike Percussion.”
Photos from 2005 – building the Bush Drum Kit
As 2023 marked the 20th anniversary of the Winton Musical Fence, it stands as a testament to both time and creativity. This quirky attraction has aged gracefully while retaining its charm and intrigue. The Musical Fence continues to captivate visitors, inspiring daily musical performances from both musicians and non-musicians alike.
