Mr Kees Boersma
Born in the Netherlands, Boersma Kees trained at the Victorian College of the Arts and later undertook postgraduate studies in his birth country at the Sweelinck Conservatorium in Amsterdam. He performed for two years with the Royal Concertgebouworkest Orchestra, including appearances at the Salzburg Festival, the BBC Proms London and tours to Montreaux, Lucerne, Paris, Vienna and Berlin. Upon returning to Australia, he performed as principal bass with the State Orchestra of Victoria and the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
Boersma joined the Sydney Symphony Orchestra as principal bassist in 1990 and has featured as a soloist. Solo works with the SSO have included the Dittersdorf Divertimento for Viola and Double Bass, Bottesini’s Double Concerto for two Double Basses and Orchestra, Dragonetti’s Pezza di Concerto, Mozart’s concert aria Per Questa Bella Mano (with Teddy Tahu Rhodes), and the world premiere of Colin Bright’s bass concerto Young Tree Green, commissioned by the SSO. He is also a regular guest principal bass with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.
As a chamber musician, he makes regular appearances with the Sydney Soloists and the Australian Ensemble. He has toured with Musica Viva, appeared at the inaugural Melbourne Spoleto Festival and in 2007 was a featured performer in the Australian Festival of Chamber Music. Boersma was also a founding member of the Brisbane-based contemporary music group ELISION, premiering the works of Franco Donatoni, Richard Barrett, Lisa Lim and Brian Ferneyhough. In his ten years with the ensemble, he recorded CDs and toured Italy and Germany, including an appearance at the Ultraschall Festival in Berlin.
As a music educator, Boersma has had a long association with the Australian Youth Orchestra and their summer National Music Camps as a tutor. He has also been a presenter at many double bass conferences.
Publications
Music
- Boersma, K., Jenkin, P., Machamer, S., Newsome, S., Rickard-Ford, P., Robinson, M., Sorkin, E. (2016). The Crossing. The Crossing. Recital Hall West, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Sydney, Australia: Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
- Briger, A., Boersma, K., Dunin, T., Henery, A., McBride, M., McCahon, K., McDonald, M., Nairn, R., Vigilante, C., Australian World Orchestra. (2016). The Witching Hour: Concerto for 8 double basses and orchestra. Australian World Orchestra 5th Anniversary Concert. Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia: Australian World Orchestra and Sydney Opera House (co-presentation).
- Boersma, K., McCahon, K., Constable, T. (2015). 1. Adrift 2. Double Double Bass 3. Hungarian Rhapsody No 2.. Resonate 2015 - Bass Extravaganza: Romance of the Double Bas. Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia: Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Recorded / Rendered Performance
- Sholl, E., Boersma, K., Rosenson, J. (2015). 1. Penguin Dance. On Vignettes, CD, Portland, Oregon, United States of America: CD Baby.
- Sholl, E., Boersma, K., Pratt, D., Rosenson, J. (2015). 11. Irlandaise; 12. Sentimentale; 13. Javanaise; 14. Geometry:Sphere:Light. On Vignettes, Portland, Oregon, United States of America: CD Baby.
- Wilkie, M., Peres Da Costa, N., Boersma, K. (2008). 1-4. Sonata in E minor TWV41:e5 5-7. Sonata in E minor BWV1030 8-11. Sonata in A minor TWV41:a6 12-15. Sonata in A minor BWV1034 16-19. Sonata in F minor TWV41:fl 20-22. Sonata in D minor Wq.132. On The Galant Bassoon, CD, Melbourne, Australia: Melba Recordings.
Exhibitions / Events
- Boersma, K. (2012). Vanguard's Only Night Of Tango (Artistic Director). Tongue, 109 Regent Street, Chippendale, Sydney, Australia: The Sydney Symphony Vanguard Collective.
2016
- Boersma, K., Jenkin, P., Machamer, S., Newsome, S., Rickard-Ford, P., Robinson, M., Sorkin, E. (2016). The Crossing. The Crossing. Recital Hall West, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Sydney, Australia: Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
- Briger, A., Boersma, K., Dunin, T., Henery, A., McBride, M., McCahon, K., McDonald, M., Nairn, R., Vigilante, C., Australian World Orchestra. (2016). The Witching Hour: Concerto for 8 double basses and orchestra. Australian World Orchestra 5th Anniversary Concert. Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia: Australian World Orchestra and Sydney Opera House (co-presentation).
2015
- Boersma, K., McCahon, K., Constable, T. (2015). 1. Adrift 2. Double Double Bass 3. Hungarian Rhapsody No 2.. Resonate 2015 - Bass Extravaganza: Romance of the Double Bas. Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia: Art Gallery of New South Wales.
- Sholl, E., Boersma, K., Rosenson, J. (2015). 1. Penguin Dance. On Vignettes, CD, Portland, Oregon, United States of America: CD Baby.
- Sholl, E., Boersma, K., Pratt, D., Rosenson, J. (2015). 11. Irlandaise; 12. Sentimentale; 13. Javanaise; 14. Geometry:Sphere:Light. On Vignettes, Portland, Oregon, United States of America: CD Baby.
2013
- Boersma, K., Sydney Symphony Orchestra, T. (2013). Lake Ice - Double Bass Concerto. Mozart in the City - Mozart's Jupiter Symphony. City Recital Hall, Angel Place, Sydney, Australia: Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
2012
- Boersma, K. (2012). Vanguard's Only Night Of Tango (Artistic Director). Tongue, 109 Regent Street, Chippendale, Sydney, Australia: The Sydney Symphony Vanguard Collective.
2010
- Benedict, R., Boersma, K., Harvey, B., Dauth, M., Hewgill, K. (2010). Trout Quintet. Sydney Soloists. Government House, Sydney, Australia: Historic Houses Trust.
2009
- Leske, C., Oguey, A., Celata, F., Shovk, P., Edwardes, C., Mills, P., Boersma, K., Sydney Soloists, T. (2009). 1. Chilled. The Blue Mountains Concert Society presents The Sydney Soloists. Springwood Civic Centre, Sydney, Australia: The Blue Mountains Concert Society.
- Willems, G., Pratt, D., Boersma, K., Duke, L. (2009). 2. For an Opera House, 3. Rhythmic Dance, 5. Sonata for two pianos, double bass and percussion.. Cocktail Hour Recital Series - A Two Piano Delight. Music Workshop, SCM, Sydney, Australia: Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
2008
- Wilkie, M., Peres Da Costa, N., Boersma, K. (2008). 1-4. Sonata in E minor TWV41:e5 5-7. Sonata in E minor BWV1030 8-11. Sonata in A minor TWV41:a6 12-15. Sonata in A minor BWV1034 16-19. Sonata in F minor TWV41:fl 20-22. Sonata in D minor Wq.132. On The Galant Bassoon, CD, Melbourne, Australia: Melba Recordings.
2006
- Collins, G., McCorkill, C., Walker, K., Goodchild, P., Jones, E., Young, T., Pratt, D., Hall, D., Ziegler, F., Jeffrey, A., Smiles, J., Boersma, K. (2006). Kammermusik I, Opus 24 No 1. University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia: Australia Ensemble.
2005
- Boersma, K., Willems, G. (2005). "Croquis" for Double Bass And Piano. Sunday Live. Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC Ultimo Centre, Sydney, Australia: ABC Classic.
- Henery, A., Boersma, K., McCahon, K., Eckersley, D. (2005). Chamber of Horrors: Charleston Noir for 4 basses. On Chamber of Horrors, CD, Sydney, Australia: Tall Poppies.
- Blake, S., West, E., Benedict, R., Todicescu, A., Boersma, K., Willems, G. (2005). Sextet in D, Op. 110. ABC Sunday Live concert. Eugene Goossens Hall, ABC Ultimo Centre, Sydney, Australia: ABC Classic.