Ensemble Q's 2024 Concert Season is set to tour Australia, showcasing a unique fusion of classical music and Indigenous sounds, with performances scheduled in major cities across the country.

Audiences in Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Newcastle, and Brisbane will experience this sonic collaboration that blends the ancient didgeridoo with classical instruments, led by the renowned Kalkadunga artist and composer William Barton.

The tour promises an auditory journey through works by Brahms, Ligeti, Paul Dean, and Mr Barton himself.

Among the highlights is a new piece titled 'Journey to the Edge of the Horizon', which Barton describes as a way to "take the audience back to my country."

The composition is deeply personal, inspired by the culture passed down from his family in Mount Isa.

"That's what the piece is about, the lullaby that I carry with me from my mum, dad, aunties, and uncles," Mr Barton said.

Mr Barton's journey with the didgeridoo began in his youth.

"I fell in love with the didgeridoo when I was a young kid," he said.

"What I call the 'the mystery of the sound', it really drew me in.

"I wanted to be that humbug kid and just learn from my uncles."

This deep connection to his cultural roots has continued to shape his musical path, even as he has ventured into the world of classical music.

Having known the founders of Ensemble Q for many years, Mr Barton was engaged to write specifically for their ensemble.

He views each instrument as "a different paintbrush, a different technique," offering unique possibilities when combined with the didgeridoo.

Mr Barton's mother also played a significant role in his musical evolution, introducing him to classical music at an early age.

"Mum used to play classical music to me... which planted those seeds," he said.

Reflecting on his career, Mr Barton notes his mission to redefine the perception of the didgeridoo within Western audiences.

When he first entered the classical music space as a teenager, he felt the weight of his culture and legacy.

"I didn't want to be tokenistic... you know, just tick the box," he said.

His determination to bring the didgeridoo into contemporary classical music has been a journey marked by challenges, but one that has also opened new possibilities for the instrument's role in modern compositions.

As Ensemble Q's tour unfolds, Barton hopes audiences will be enveloped in a "kaleidoscope of sound," experiencing the rich interplay between traditional and classical music.

Through this unique collaboration, Mr Barton continues to push the boundaries of what the didgeridoo can achieve, inviting listeners to join him on a journey that spans both time and sound.

More details on the tour are available on the Musica Viva Australia website.