AIR Awards

We are thrilled to accept the Australian Independent Records (AIR) Award of Best Independent Classical Album or EP for our collaboration with William Barton: Gift – Our Breath of Life.

Like many great Australian stories, this work has evolved, reaching many different audiences and communities along the way. It began as a commission for Omega Ensemble, grew into a rich collaboration with Sydney Dance Company and Stephen Page, and has now found new life through this recording with ABC Classic.

Working with William has been one of the most rewarding experiences in our Ensemble’s history. He is an extraordinary artist, but an even more extraordinary collaborator—he has a remarkable ability to bring people together through curiosity, generosity and deep listening.

This project reminded us that music isn’t just something we perform; it’s something we share. It connects us all, inviting us to listen more carefully—to Country, to history and to one another.

We’d like to thank William for his trust and friendship, ABC Classic for believing in this project, Stephen Page and Sydney Dance Company for helping expand its vision, our incredible musicians at Omega Ensemble, and the wonderful recording and production team who captured it so beautifully.

Finally, thank you to AIR for this recognition. To be acknowledged alongside so many outstanding independent Australian artists is deeply special, and we’re proud that this uniquely Australian story continues to resonate.