For a brief biography visit Jacqui's profile at The Australian Music Centre.
.......... Sacred Stage 2012
performances and compositions...
Thursday 1st March 9:30-11:30am Improvisations as Nature Free Workshop
Kallista Community House. Bookings: kallista@kallista.own.net.au/ 97552622
A one-off improvisation workshop exploring voice and movement techniques inspired by the dance and music of Central Java and Jacqui’s studies in opera and music theatre and many years of work in the performing arts.
Sunday 18th March 2pm Concert celebrating St. Patrick's Day at St. Michael's Anglican Church, cnr. Mt. Dandenong Tourist Rd, and Falls Rd, Kalorama.
‘An afternoon of sacred Celtic music featuring Jacqui Rutten”
$15 includes afternoon-tea.
Sunday 29 July 2pm Sacred and Celtic Music Concert at Sasafrass Anglican Church. Fundraiser for sisters of charity centre for homeless women and children. Featuring singers, harps, bagpipes and piano.
$15 or $10, children free.
***********Artists, composers, musicians, and singers are invited to collaborate, simply email.
Selective list of previous performances, recordings, and study
2011
***New CD Ornamental Chant.
"The Tree of Life" featuring composed/ improvised music and dance at Kallista Mechanics Hall - Marilyn Copeland (dance), Jacqui Rutten (voice), Mary Knights-Rutten (cello), Rachel Nendick (saxaphone), Matthew Rutten (drumming). A fundraiser for Victorian Flood Relief.
Sacred vocal compositions held at State Library of Victoria, National Library, Canberra, and The Performing Arts Museum, Melbourne.
Palm Sunday concert at St. Michael's Anglican Church, Kalorama.
Member of Lyrebird Music Society and the Celtic Club.
Composing trip to Queenscliff.
Being and light - a concert of Celtic inspired sacred music at Belgrave Catholic Church, and Kallista Mechanics Hall.
Composition of new works which can be found at: List of composed works and CDs
2010
Broadcast of original music on ABC Classic FM on Christmas Day - arrangement of "Puer Natus" for guitar and voice, and "Lyrebrid Music". Also, studio recording for ABC Radio.
Concerts - Women Composers' Concert at Montrose Town Centre, St. Cecilia's Day at The Chalice Northcote, A Classical Concert with Mary Knights-Rutten (piano) at Sasafrass Uniting Church.
House concerts for Corpus Christi, Christmas in July, Birthday Performance.
Improvisations as Nature washed out to informal cuppa.
Compilation CD Sacred Singing.
10 days cultural visit to Ubud, Bali, in March, including visits to many galleries, attending performances of women's gamelan and kecak, street festival rituals for Hari Nyepi festival, a lesson in Balinese dance at Agung Rai Museum of Art, a lesson with Mekar Bhuana, and a cultural day tour.
2009
Christmas, excerpts of a one act sacred opera by Jacqui Rutten, featuring Anne-Maria Plevier, and Sam Derrick, also featuring solos, at Kallista Mechanics Hall.
Other Sacred Stage performances - Kallista Uniting Church, Anglican church Upper Ferntree Gully, Kallista Mechanics Hall, and house concerts for Ordinary Time, Easter Saturday, and a comic sacred stage performance.
Composing trip to Darwin, Kakadu, and Litchfield, N.T.
Improvisations as Nature, Sherbrooke Forest, Kallista. A small gathering including Rainer Linz.
2008
Sacred Video - 8 mins 60 secs features highlights of performances.
Winner of vistaprint.com.au Small Business Starter Kit.
Melbourne Composers League, performance for Elbow Room Concert at Dante’s.
The Kingdom of Heaven
a sacred chamber opera by jacqui rutten about work, song, & earth for singers, dancer, strings, and silk painting.
Cecil Street Studios, Conductor - John Collins. Singers and strings, and backdrop by Matthew Rutten
Good Friday Jacqui Rutten (singer) - sacred music at Original St Martin's Church.
Visit to Townsville. One week decorating musical score of Kingdom of Heaven.
House and garden performances - the work of various artists were featured including Jacquie Spring (harp and French horn), Colin McKellar (composer), Sydney artists Arie van Duijn and Ellin Krinsly, Jarek Czechowicz (guitarist and Peace Music). Other artists included Anne-Maria Plevier (potter and singer), Lee Emmett (poet) and Matthew Rutten (silk artist).
La Mama Theatre Exploration Series - a solo performance by Jacqui Rutten.
2007
Sacred Stage registered in Victoria.
....Jacqui's Background work....
2007
Improvisations as Nature - small gathering of music, spoken word, and art at Beagly's Bridge and Grant's Picnic Ground, Dandenong Ranges, artists included Gretel Taylor (movement), Gianni Montalto (singing), Sam Derrick (harp), and Marion Spires (poetry).
TILT gallery performance.
Concert for St. Cecilia's Day. Frankston Catholic Church. Also featuring Christina Green.
Burrinja - Classics in the Caf.
Composing Womens Concert Boite World Music Cafe. Solo & for four singers.
Melbourne Composers' League. 'Elbow Room Concert' at The Loop. Solo.
“Winds of Change” pre-election concert on housing affordability. Noise Bar, Brunswick. Shelter radiophonic work commissioned by ABC Radio (2004) broadcast as pre-show music.
Sacred Stage solo concerts at St. Brigid's, Healesville, West Brunswick Catholic Church, The Michael Centre, Donwood, St. Bernadette's Nursing Home, and Corpus Christi Nursing Homes, and Chapel on Station Gallery.
Winterfest, Warburton, with guests Simon Charles (saxaphone), RupertG (violin), and Rod Cooper (metalic sound sculptures).
Sacred Stage at Warburton Mechanics Hall. Also featuring Ros Bandt, Simon Charles, RupertG, Rod Cooper, and Brigid Burke.
Christ A sacred opera. Kallista Mechanics Hall - an original sacred opera - 6 singers, narrator, violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp, singing bowls. Backdrop painting by Matthew Rutten. Conducted by John Collins, directed by Jacqui. with discounts provided by Ferntree print , Kallista Mechanics Hall, & m & m gifts.
Anglican Church Philip Island - concert wth Cath Connelly Celtic harp.
Limited Edition CD released featuring ornamental chant, recorded at ABC radio - Sacre Liber
Certificate 4 in Business (small business management) Box Hill Institute.
2006
Improvisations, Images, and Ideas. Kallista Mechanics Hall. 11 perfomers including Jarek Czechowicz (guitar).
fortyfivedownstairs St. Cecilia's Day concert with Mary Knights-Rutten (cello) and Cath Connelly (Celtic harp).
Improvisations with Nature party. 13 guests.
Singing for The River Story a staging of Wurundjeri story for the Healesville Community Festival.
Kildara - solo performance of original sacred song.
Australian Catholic University - lunchtime concert of original sacred song.
Monash University - study towards Bachelor of Social Work (2002-2006).
Volunteer at Mission Impossible Drop-In Centre (2000-2006). Acting manager one/two days for two years.
2005
Lyrebird Themes - a 20 minute radiophonic work commissioned by ABC Radio, premierred on Classic FM Festival of Birds.
Regular cantor at St. Patrick's Cathedral from 1999 to 2005.
Improvisations with Nature - curator - Kallista Tea Rooms, 4 performers including Gianni Montalto (voice).
International Human Rights Day benefit - Black GST. Brunswick Town Hall. Solo voice & guitar.
Elbow Room Concert presented by the Melbourne Composers League at Burrinja - solo - 3 songs performed.
Burrinja composer presentation including s a c r e d s o n g s.
ascension CD of experimental sacred music for voice and computer.
s a c r e d s o n g s solo concerts - St John's Catholic Church Ferntree Gully, St Joseph's Catholic Church West Brunswick.
"The result is not pastiche , travelogue or shopping music but a series of compositions sincerely crafted, they hold together in a very personal way" ABC Onine, AdLib.
Ordinary Time CD of original sacred music for voice and computer based on Gregorian chant.
Make it up club - Bar Open, Fitzroy - Solo improvisation performance - focus on the sacred.
'Sacred' - A meditative concert of original songs by Jacqui Rutten with Celtic harp by Cath Connelly: Ecumenical Summer School, Queens College, University of Melbourne, & St. Philip's Anglican Church, Philip island.
"an appreciative audience enjoyed songs and Celtic harp music...in all the hurly burly of Cowes in January, it was a joy to take time out" Philip Island Advertiser.and Advertiser (21-01-05)
2004
Shelter a 15 minute radiophonic work explorong home and homelessness. Commissioned by ABC Radio, also broadcast for The Perth Bienalle of Electronic Arts.
The Boite - Jacqui Rutten (voice), Mary Knights-Rutten (cello & singing bowls), & Cath Connelly (Celtic harp).
Selby Spring Arts Festival...A programme of sacred music (original songs, improvisations & extant works) Jacqui Rutten: voice & Mary Knights-Rutten: cello and organ.
Independent CD Soul's Desire - sacred songs and ambient meditations (also featuring Mary Knights-Rutten: cello.
'Sacred' concerts with Cath Connelly (celtic harp)......Kallista Uniting Church, Kildara Centre, Malvern, Trafalgar Anglican Church, Burwood Anglican Church, Neerim South Anglican Church, Barwon Heads Anglican Church.
Release of independent CD 'S a c r e d' - live recordings of sacred songs, also featuring Cath Connelly - Celtic harp.
Baroque sacred music for opening of Cameo cinema.
Sacred Baroque - trio with Miriam Morris and John O'Donnell 2002-2004. Concerts at Hampton Catholic Church, Montrose Town Centre, and The British Music Society.
Improvisations with Nature - Kallista Communty House, 8 performers including Suzanne Frisk (voice). Also events in April and July, 8 performers including Trish Sykes (writer).
2003
Two concerts with Cath Connelly (Celtic harp), also recorded - All Saints Catholic Church, Fitzroy.
A concert for St. Cecilia's Day with Cath Connelly (Celtic harp) - Mt. Dandenong Catholic Church.
'Kyrie' - composed improvisation for voice & piano.
Shire of Yarra Ranges Cultural Grant for Improvisations wth Nature . Burrinja Gallery. 8 performers, including Shane Charles (didgeridoo).
2002
'Kyrie' - composed improvisation for voice & javanese siter - performed at local venues.
Four of 'sacred songs' recorded by Sam Mallet.
Improvisations with Nature - Dandenong Ranges National Park. 9 performers, including composers Warren Burt and Catherine Schieve with an audience of around 40 people in the forest.
1999 -2003
Solo performances of 'sacred songs' (voice & guitar) at various venues including the Boite, cafes, community & Christian events.
2001
Bachelor of Arts awarded from University of Melbourne.
Awarded Certificate of Appreciation for volunteer service to the community for volunteer work at Mission Impossible.
Conductor of Sing Australia Choir, Tecoma.
Composed 'Laudamus Te' for mezzo-soprano, cello & violin - rehearsed with (the late) Joy fletcher (cello) & John North (violin).
Travel to Indonesia - purpose being to become familiar with Balinese dance and music.
2000
Solo vocal realisation of 'sacred melodies' recorded for physical theatre project H2O performance at Melbourne City Baths.
Performance of 'sacred songs' at St. Michael's church, Kalorama with Mary Knights-Rutten (cello).
Training with Salesian Sisters.
1999
Improvised performance of some of the 'sacred melodies' with Warren Burt (electronics) at the Planet Cafe, Fitzroy.
One of 'sacred songs' recorded as fragment for David Chesworth's Olympic Stadium soundscape.
1997
Funded by federal government to compose & perform sacred songs - produced two books - 'sacred songs' (27 sacred songs with chords) & 'sacred melodies' (46 latin melodies in javanese notation to be improvised upon).
1995
Song cycle of Marian sacred songs composed - performed with Anne Norman (shakuhachi) at Linden New Music & recorded.
1994
Mourning Song. Commissioned by The Composing Womens Festival. 2 medium voices and 2 singers.
Tresno (Love) Composed as a meditation. Commissioned by Chamber Made Opera for The Sydney Festival, remounted for The Greenmill Dance Festival and recorded by ABC Radio. 2 Medium voices, chorus, dancers, violin, viola, cello, double bass, and bonang.
"What prevails is a beautiful fluid performance that is truly captivating." Beat."This is a chamber work (just 65 minutes) of great subtletly" The Australian. "A state of the art piece" The Sunday Age.
Composer/ musical director/instumentalist & singer for Next Wave Festival production "The Widow's Veil".
Soprano for CD released by ABC Radio featuring "Four Songs" by J.Mills.
1993
Composition/performance at the Melbourne Planetarium by the Contemporary Music Events Company.
Co-devised work for the Melbourne Festival - Chamber Made Opera presentation of the Shrieking Divas. The group also performed in Sydney warehouse "Sid's Place" & at other Melbourne venues.
1991-1992
Study of Javanese gamelan with the assistance of The Australia Council and the Indonesian government at Sekolah Tinggi Seni Indonesia, Solo, Java. One year study grant.
1992
Solo vocal composition/improvisation for Asia Pacific Festival, New Zealand.
"Wun da na gi" Sung improvisation for John Cage Memorial ABC Radio National.
1991
Radio National Live concert - Sung improvisations with Matthew Cunliffe (piano) & Tom Sega (saxaphone) live to air (Hobart).
Cassette of original multitracked vocal compositions "Balcony" produced by the ABC.
Lead soprano role in Chamber Made Opera production "Stroke". Nominated for Best performer in opera Green Room Award for this performance.
1990 & 1991-1992 : Performances in Solo, Indonesia.
- Co-composer/performer in collaboration with students of Suprapto Suryodarmo, & also with Sutanto & the Mendut village performance troupe. Performances at "Taman Budaya" & "Padepokan Lemah Putih", Solo, Java, Indonesia.
- Pesindhen (singer) for all-night wayang kulit (shadow puppet plays) & wayang golek (puppet plays), including Live to Air performance for Radio Republik Indonesia.
1990
Self-funded visit to Indonesia to learn about sindhen (singing for gamelan). Studied voice with Pak Tarman, learnt gamelan in Mojolaban, and visited STSI. Also visited STSI Padang Panjang, West Sumatera. also briefly visited Singapore & Bali.
1990-1996
Singer (pesindhen) for Monash gamelan & Melbourne Community Gamelan. Performances included the First National Gamelan Festival in 1995.
1989
"Tutto'l do piango" - original arrangements of Caccini piece sung on ABC FM.
The Great Dodo Opera - solo performance devised for the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Directed by Douglas Horton.
Commisioned vocal work for Physical Culture festival, Gertrude Contemporary Art spaces.
Co-composer/improvising singer for Handspan Theatre production "Banquet".
Composer/singer for Sydney "Fashion" Festival, Entertainment Centre.
Co-composer, musical director & performer for Theatreworks outdoor production "Tales from the Horses Mouth".
Singing teacher at the Victorian College of the Arts, School of Dance.
Soprano for "Fragments of Thoreau" by W.Burt, ABC Radio.
Adaptation of Cosi fan Tutte - group devised. Role of Fiordilidgi. Commissioned by Piccolo Spoleto, presented at the Blessington Gardens Ampitheatre, Fitzroy. Remounted at the Northcote Ampitheatre on the Yarra.
1988-1989
Singer for Victoria State Opera chorus, productions : Madam Butterfly & Turandot (Melbourne State Theatre).
Singer in Shrieking Divas with Andree Greenwell, Hope Csturos, and other women.
1988
Post-Graduate Diploma of Arts in Music - Victorian College of the Arts Opera Studio
BP Award for post-grduate study.
Role of maid in Chamber Made Opera production "The Heiress" by Hollier.
Soprano in "Four Songs" by J.Mills, recorded by ABC Radio.
Singer/performer for "A Midsummer Night's Dream" Melbourne Botanical Gardens.
Stage Director for masque "Cupid & Death" commissioned for The Bicentennial Children's Festival.
1987
Understudy for one year of two roles (both performed) for Victoria State Opera opera in schools production "Twice Upon A Time".
Role of Spirit for the Victoria State Opera Youth Company performance of "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" Melbourne State Theatre.
Stage Director of opera by Ion Pearce at Sydney's Performance Space.
1986
Associate Diploma of Opera & Music Theatre - Victorian College of the Arts Opera Studio.
Two roles in Barry Kosky's production "La Calisto", University of Melbourne.
1985 - 2000
Role of soprano in David Chesworth's "Insatiable". Performed live at Melbourne Glasshouse Theatre & the Performance Space (Sydney). Later recorded as video for television, funded by the Australian Film Commission & recorded by the ABC. Several tracks released on CD "Wicked Voices" in 2000.
1985-1989
Private singing teacher.
1984
Singer on Paul Healy's "Release"; independently released cassette.
1983
Singer on Not Drowning, Waving album "Another Green Pond".
Cantor for the First Church of Christian Science.
1982-present : Co-composer/singer in collaboration with others:
From 1982 to 1988, I worked with Paul Healy and others regularly in bands & for recording projects. Venues we performed at included the Prince of Wales Hotel, St.Kilda; the Esplanade Hotel, St.Kilda; the Tote, Collingwood and Melbourne University.
1982: Trio formed with (the late) Jamie Fielding (keyboards) & Pete Jones (drums).
Collaborations on many improvised works including performances with Michael Sheridan, Hope Csturos, Warren Burt, Ruth Bauer, Anne Norman, the Shrieking Divas, the Melbourne Improvisers Association & others.
Many of these performances have been in the context of alternative 'bands'. Venues for these peformances have included inner-city warehouses, hotels & galleries such as the Esplanade Hotel, the Women's Gallery, Linden Gallery and live to Air 3PBS FM.
(See above for more recent collaborations)
1979-1980
Co-composed three part harmony original songs & arrangements of pop songs. Performed at the Pancake Parlor, a private yacht expedition & busked in Melbourne.
1981
HSC - MacRobertson Girls High School, including singing.
1978-1980
Original religious songs composed & performed for the Focolare (interdenominational movement).
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