pi is a gathering of composers and performers to present the best of the past and to forge the sounds of the future.

pi seeks inspiration in the extraordinary - in physical environments, in cultures ancient and far-flung, in technology and in the human spirit - above all in sound in all its variety, its power to move the heart, to impel the body and release the soul.

pi is the relationship between the limitations of a line and the perfection of the circle - between who we are and what we aspire to be.

pi is the brainchild of Nova's artistic director, composer, percussionist and conductor, David Pye and has been formed to address a number of issues.

• to explore the point where classical Western performance practice meets world music and improvisational practices. An essential ingredient of a pi performance is improvisation, both free and structured.
• to address a gap in WA concert repertoire left when Nova Ensemble changed artistic direction in the mid 90's. Over the previous decade Nova had an extraordinary record of presenting repertoire encompassing the best of 20th Century music - Mahler, Schoenberg, Stravinsky; Reich, Feldman, Riley; Smetanin, Vine, Westlake; Smalley, Travers and Benfall. As the ensemble shifted to performing primarily compositions of its own members on instruments of its own devising, no other ensemble came forward to consistently perform such a cross-section of standard and contemporary repertoire.
• to present concerts of the highest quality music of the 20th and 21st centuries in such a way as to allow comprehension and enjoyment by the general public. Strategies include performances in unique venues, less formal presentations, closer interaction between artists and audience, careful selection and composition of repertoire to target special interest audiences.
• to present concerts that place the music of our local WA composers in perspective within Western contemporary music of the past thirty years, western classical music of the past five hundred years, and musical cultures from around the globe.
• to provide a performance outlet for WA's senior composers. It is recognized that the mature music of our finest local composers deserves the finest musicians to give the works excellent performances. It is also recognised that the musicians deserve to be paid appropriately for their work.
• to bring together Perth's leading contemporary performers to perform at the highest level. The group's membership will change according to programming requirements, but will be based around a core of strings, keyboards and percussion.
• to create a flexible ensemble able to meet a variety of programming requirements and budgets.