The Sydney Chamber Music Festival was the first of its kind, founded in 2007 by a small group of passionate music lovers, including Akky Van Ogtrop, Stephen Couling and Michael Hedger, and is the brainchild of Bridget Bolliger, a Northern Beaches resident and internationally renowned professional flautist.

The boutique-style festival takes place annually at the Manly Art Gallery and Museum. The concerts offer its audiences from the Northern Beaches and Greater Sydney the opportunity to hear some of the best Australian-based musicians playing fine classical and contemporary works in programs drawn from diverse musical and cultural traditions at affordable ticket prices.

The festival is held over one weekend and has become well known for its delightfully unusual programming and thematic ideas based on the gallery’s art exhibitions. Programs include a concert for families with special needs offering quality music accessible to all, without fear of social judgement. Each year the festival also presents a performance of one new Australian composition by a selected composer in residence.

The exclusive Sydney Chamber Music Festival seats just 100 people in its hall and is a unique musical event for all ages in the beautiful surroundings of the iconic Manly Wharf with easy accessibility by ferry to and from Sydney’s CBD. Concerts begin at agreeable times to cater for younger families and the elderly.

Manly has a relaxed holiday vibe with a long-standing reputation as a tourist destination drawing audiences from many parts of the world.