Maldon will become part of a rare regional musical journey on Saturday 11 July, when the Keys of Gold Classical Music Festival brings one of its most atmospheric concerts to Holy Trinity Church.

The afternoon concert, Celestial Sounds, will be performed from 4pm to 5pm and features acclaimed cellist Yelian He with internationally celebrated organist Thomas Heywood.

The pairing of cello and organ promises a rich and deeply resonant sound, perfectly suited to the historic setting of Holy Trinity Church. With the warmth of the cello meeting the grandeur of the pipe organ, the concert offers audiences an intimate but powerful musical experience in one of Maldon’s treasured local spaces.

The Maldon performance forms part of a broader day of music across the region, with Castlemaine also hosting a special festival program earlier the same day.

From 11am to 12.50pm, the festival presents Castlemaine Double, beginning with In Paradise at Castlemaine Uniting Church. The concert features the Bendigo Chamber Choir, soprano Louise Bottomley, bass Peter Hunt, director Michael Bottomley and organist Thomas Heywood.

After an interval, the music continues at Christ Church, Castlemaine with Coronation Classics, again featuring the Bendigo Chamber Choir, Michael Bottomley and Thomas Heywood.

Together, the Castlemaine and Maldon concerts create a full day of music, history and regional discovery. Audiences can enjoy choral music and organ classics in Castlemaine before travelling on to Maldon for an afternoon performance filled with the soaring sounds of cello and organ.

The concerts are part of the wider Keys of Gold Classical Music Festival, a month-long celebration presented across Bendigo, Castlemaine, Maldon and Inglewood.

The festival brings together leading international artists, acclaimed Australian performers and regional ensembles, performing in historic churches and community spaces shaped by the region’s gold rush heritage.

For Maldon and Castlemaine, the festival offers more than a concert program. It is a chance to showcase the towns’ historic buildings, cultural life and enduring connection to music, community and place.

Audiences are encouraged to plan ahead, enjoy the day across both towns and experience some of the finest music being presented in regional Victoria this winter.

Full details and bookings are available at www.bendigofinemusic.com.

This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 26 June 2026.