Frederick Johnston-Horstman

Fred (they/he) is a trombonist, vocalist, composer, and professional silly goose based in Boorloo. Their music delves into how accessible artistic spaces foster community and give rise to a unique collective voice shaped by the interaction of diverse artists. This celebration of all musicians' experiences, regardless of identity or background, embodies the pursuit of audible, textural, and visual joy. Fred’s works cultivate a shared language and invite participants to make active, sensory-driven choices, offering scores that are open to interpretation by performers of any skill level. Since 2024, Fred has directed Ensemble Neoteric, an art collective for trans* and gender non-conforming musicians, creating a space where musicians of all abilities and backgrounds can explore improvisation and collaboration.