Tango Oz
Want to be part of the coolest ensemble in Sydney?
Interested in exotic music?
Want to play solos?
Want to learn techniques that produce incredible sounds from your instrument?
If you said yes to any of these, TangoOz is for you
Instruments: Piano, double bass, bandoneón, violin, viola, cello, clarinet, flute, saxophone, french horn, tuba.
Learn in an ensemble led by Maggie Ferguson on bandoneón, using original composers’ arrangements from Buenos Aires.
Auditions: Monday 15 February, 4.00pm. Joseph Post Auditorium, Conservatorium High School.
Material: A short piece of your choice plus a sight-reading excerpt (supplied).
Led by bandoneóniste/violinist Maggie Ferguson, TangoOz was formed in 2009 and is Australia’s Argentine tango orchestra. TangoOz is an associate of La Orquesta Escuela de Tango Emilio Balcarce in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s national school of orchestral tango, and Conservatorium High School in Sydney.
For young musicians, being part TangoOz opens up the world of Argentine tango. TangoOz is a unique opportunity for gifted students to learn about tango culture and to study and perform from original scores in an inspiring, lively, chamber ensemble under the leadership of Maggie and her Argentine colleagues. By learning the art of the tango solo within the orchestra, students are encouraged to express themselves in an individual way by use of rubato, while not sacrificing traditional classical values of intonation (tuning), rhythm and ensemble tutti playing. Stage preparation and manners are emphasised to prepare students for confident performance – while remaining a cohesive ensemble, they may display individual touches in their stage outfits.
Watch more performances of TangoOz here including the 5 Years of Tango concert.
Repertoire includes:
Many classics from composers of The Golden Age; Decarissimo (Astor Piazzolla); Milonga de mis amores (Pedro Laurenz); Resureccion del angel (Astor Piazzolla); Si sos brujo (Emilio Balcarce); Triunfal (Astor Piazzolla); Vardarito (Astor Piazzolla); Villeguita (Astor Piazzolla); Assorted milongas and waltzes.Adios nonino (Astor Piazzolla); A fuego lento (Horacio Salgán); A la gran muñeca (Ventura Oses, arr. Carlos Di Sarli); Chiqué (Ricardo Brignolo, arr. Astor Piazzolla); El choclo (Ángel Villoldo, arr. Carlos Di Sarli); Febril (Eduardo Rovira); Gallo ciego (Agustin Bardi, arr. Horacio Salgán); La llamo silbando (Horacio Salgán); Melancólico (Julián Plaza); Meridional (Víctor Lavallén); Michelangelo 70 (Astor Piazzolla); Mi Refugio (Carlos Cobian, arr. Carlos Di Sarli); Nostálgico (Julián Plaza); Patético (Jorge Caldara); Recuerdo (Osvaldo Pugliese); Responso (Aníbal Troilo).
The concert (below) was filmed by Mark Robinson.
In July 2016, twenty young Australian musicians, students of the violin and bandoneón tango teacher Maggie Ferguson, travelled to Buenos Aires for an intensive, immersive tango experience. This was by invitation of Ignacio Varchausky, double bassist for Orquesta El Arranque, 2009 Latin Grammy Award winning producer, and founder of La Orquesta Escuela de Tango Emilio Balcarce, with whose tutors and musicians TangoOz studied, under the direction of legendary bandoneón player Maestro Víctor Lavallén.
TangoOz played in some of the city’s finest venues, including a reception at the Australian Embassy Residence in Buenos Aires, a milonga at the famous La Viruta to a standing ovation and a live midnight performance on BA’s tango radio station La2x4 FM. Upon returning, this core group of musicians performed at venues across Sydney including The Basement in August 2016 and the Conservatorium of Music in December 2016, as well as on board the Queen Elizabeth 2 ocean liner in February 2017 as the Australian Tango Academy. Other performances have been at the NSW Art Gallery, City Recital Hall, The Camelot Lounge and Club Uraguayo.
The EP Maggie Ferguson & TangoOz Buenos Aires was recorded in the Estudio Doctor F. and was produced by Ignacio Varchsuasky, to whom TangoOz extends its warmest thanks. It is a testament to the far-reaching power of tango and the value of cultural exchange. The EP is available by email from Thomas McCorquodale or through the Contact page on this website.
1. Danzarín (Julián Plaza) [04:13]
2. Don Agustín Bardi (Horacio Salgán) [03:16]
3. Milonguero Viejo (Carlos Di Sarli) [02:57]
4. Mistonguero (Victor Lavallén) [03:10]
In October 2017, the TangoOz 2016 tour orchestra reunited at Camelot Lounge Marrickville for one last tango and the official launch of their EP.
Please read more below from Liz Cheung about TangoOz’ tour to Argentina and Uruguay. All photos by Mark Robinson.
TangoOz 2016 with Víctor Lavallén and tutors of La Orquesta Escuela de Tango Emilio Balcarce at Café Vinilo, July 2016.
Orquesta Escuela de Tango Emilio Balcarce 2014 at Cafe Vinilo
I’m looking for young musicians with style, initiative, a strong presence, a secure technique and a love of expressing themselves through music. All strings, clarinet, flute and piano are welcome to audition.
Candidates should show by their performance of the excerpts that they have researched the style of tango. Ref: TangoMusicAustralia. All articulation and other markings should be observed. You are also asked to research some tango facts or anecdotes and be able to discuss them. I will also hear a short piece of your choice and there will be a sight reading passage.
If successful you will have a chance to learn authentic Argentine tango performance techniques from Buenos Aires and to bond within a unique chamber ensemble which focuses on individuals exploring their expressive potential and thereby contributing to the collective sound of the group.
Violins, bandoneons and winds will be given the chance to play tango solos made famous by the Argentine maestros, using original scores made available by TangoVia.org and The Escuela De Tango Emilio Balcarce. Performance opportunities for TangoOz are at family concerts, special events in the community and at outdoor festivals.
If you think you have what it takes to be part of this exciting group, I look forward to meeting you and hearing you play.
Director, TangoOz
Testimonial: Maggie Ferguson Tango Workshop, Orange Regional Conservatorium, Saturday 28 February 2015
The Orange Regional Conservatorium was delighted to host Maggie Ferguson, conducting workshops and masterclasses recently.
Maggie was absolutely wonderful with our students, bringing the best out of their performances and taking them to another level in terms of working with music from another genre and exploring unusual performance techniques.
Her gentle nature, depth of experience and professional approach were appreciated by the instrumental students from the Orange Youth Orchestra and wider community.
Her energy and passion for the Tango have left a lasting impression on both students and staff and we look forward to her return to build on what was begun.
