News Updates

Local Government Arts & Culture Summit (NSW)

LGSA BLOCK summit 2012The Music in Communities Network is very happy to be associated with the NSW Local Government Arts & Culture Summit, which is now open for registrations. Local Government is the level of government closest to communities and particularly community music making. Its power and support mechanisms include support for community groups, providing venues, managing and supporting festivals, policy and legislation affecting live music, community cultural development, and much more.

Virgin Australia Update

An announcement from Virgin Australia, from early October 2012:

"Virgin Australia has changed the carry-on baggage allowance for musical instruments across the airline’s fleet of aircraft following consultation with representatives from the music industry.

"The new policy means that while the number or weight of standard pieces of luggage carried on-board has not changed, the dimensions and type of instruments allowed on-board now includes most violins, trumpets and flutes.

"Smaller and often valuable musical instruments are now welcomed on-board to be placed in the overhead lockers.

"Guests are now able to substitute any of their standard pieces of carry-on luggage for a musical instrument provided it was no larger than 85 cm in length and 34 cm in width and 23 cm in height."

Basically, violins and trumpets seem fine, saxophones and trombones should probably be checked for dimensions, guitars and cellos in general can be carried on board only if you purchase an additional seat.

You can read more detail on the Oversized and Fragile Items page on the VA website

Music in Communities Network Members are entitled to the Virgin Australia Musicians Baggage Allowance, musicians can upgrade their baggage allowance from 23kg to 35 kg.  Click here to read more about membership and this particular member benefit.

New Research on Music in Juvenile Justice

In 2012, the Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall commissioned WolfBrown to research and write an essay exploring the potential of music and musicians to make a difference in the lives of young people in the juvenile justice system.

The result, “May the Songs I Have Written Speak for Me,” brings together research on the effects of music on young people with emerging understandings of the best practices and key choices in designing programs.

This report, one of a number of interesting papers from WolfBrown (we also like the Music and Health Care paper), is now available.

Click here for more information and to download the report

Wollongong State of the Music Scene

The State of the Music Scene Forum Wollongong is scheduled to take place at Music Farmers, 5 Crown Lane Wollongong, on Tuesday 30th October 2012, 7pm.

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The Forum is a FREE, all ages gathering for local musicians and fans of live music. There will be a number of speakers including Alex Masso from the National Music in Communities Network (MiC), local music fan and film-maker Jessie Hunt, and a number of venue bookers and musicians from the local music scene.

New Film: Beyond the Music

"Beyond The Music" is a film about the wonderful benefits of music-making with people who have dementia and other age-related conditions.

This film is being launched at the STATE Cinema in Hobart Tasmania on Wednesday 26th September at 5.30pm Entry is FREE.

A copy of the film will be available in Australia & New Zealand through VEA.