Beside the ornamental lake
Mueller Hall, Royal Botanic Gardens
Fern gully Rest House RBGM
Harp in the Gardens
For over a twenty years, Michael has been the
resident harpist and composer at the
Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne,
performing in the “harp the Gardens” recitals, Concerts on the Lake
and the "Twilight Music" concert series, providing his music
for tens of thousands of overseas guests and visitors
to the gardens.
The Twilight Music concert series originally started
at the Cranbourne Australian Garden in Summer, but later moved to
the Terrace restaurant at the Melbourne gardens.
The purpose of these concerts was simply to compose and perform uplifting music
...musicians would perform with the back drop of the gardens
as the sun was setting over the lake.
As well as a concert performer, Michael has
been working in the field of music for meditation .
His tranquil harp music has been an integral
part of the Mindfulness Music program at the
Gawler Foundation, In Victorian schools and at Delmont hospital.
The Royal Botanic Gardens have also embraced Michael's
experience of using music as a tool for mindfulness.
They have asked him to run the harp meditations in the New Arid garden
and meditative wellbeing gardens as part of the healthy lifestyle program.
During the warmer month, Michael's concerts are often
held on the punts on the lake. The ornament lake and
its bird-life has been a huge inspiration to a lot of
Michael's compositions....particularly the swans.
For many years, Michael's Spring concerts were held in
William Tell rest house, but also in Mueller hall
and the Rose Pavillion.
Bi-annually, Michael puts on a free harp concert on Christmas day
on the Oak lawn, intended for those who have lost a family member during the year.
To find out where Michael is performing next in the gardens,
you can phone the Visitors centre on 9252 2429.
Punting on the lake Concerts
Swan
Filming for the science of the Harp