The Barega Saxophone Quartet was formed in 2007 and is one of Australia’s premier single reed ensembles, performing across the country and internationally. The group enjoys a versatile and wide-ranging programme of music from French and classical repertoire to minimalism and contemporary works, in addition to specializing in compositions of a crossover classical/jazz nature. A primary goal of the BSQ is to perform and promote original repertoire and Australian works. They have premiered new music composed by Michael Bakrnčev, Louise Denson, Thomas Green, Catherine Likhuta, Andrew Garton, Nathan Lam, Andrew Kennedy, and Andrew Ball, at events including "SaxOpen’" (Strasbourg, 2015), the Australasian Saxophone and Clarinet Conference (Sydney, 2013), XVI World Saxophone Congress in St Andrews (Scotland, 2012), the Crossbows Festival (Brisbane, 2012) and the Australian Clarinet and Saxophone Festival (Melbourne, 2011). Barega’s debut album Three Serpents is the first volume in a series of recordings capturing their proud tradition of championing new music by Australian composers and arrangers. In 2016 the members were soloists with the Queensland Wind Orchestra and featured performers at the Sydney Opera House.
