News Updates
Congratulations again to Moorambilla
The winners of our most recent Music in Communities Awards, Moorambilla Voices and Festival, was the recipient of another national award at this year's Art Music Awards.
The Excellence in a Regional Area award was given "for engagement with local community in North Western NSW," and Moorambilla was also a finalist in the Excellence in Music Education category which was awarded to Gondwana Voices.
The major award of the night, for Distinguished Services to Australian Music, went to Peter Sculthorpe. The iconic Australian composer received the award with great humility and humour, joking about receiving the award because "I'm probably the oldest APRA Member". His lifelong contribution to Australian music was introduced by fellow composer Ross Edwards.
Congratulations to all the winners, in particular Michelle Leonard and Morrambilla Voices and Festival!
The awards are presented each year by Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) and the Australian Music Centre (AMC). This year's ceremony was held at Sydney Opera House on Tuesday 3 April.
Read more about the awards here: www.australianmusiccentre.com.au/awards
ABC Sydney finds "Exhumed" bands
ABC Local presenter and musician James Valentine has created a band comp for the "best unsigned, unrepresented and unrecognised band of grown ups".
"The fundamental rule is you have a day job" says Valentine. The competition is deliberately avoiding the usual territory for music industry competitions for young bands, this focuses entirely on regular adult Australians who make music in their spare time, bands which "last celebrated at their brother-in-law's 50th birthday last year, or who are looking forward to performing at an upcoming school fete." Submissions incluhde funk/rock group The Love Handles, classic pub rock from Gunk, jazz from Helenie, and more. Have a listen at the ABC Sydney website.
Enries are now closed and the 8-10 finalists will take part in the "Exhumed Grand Final Spectacular" in late April.
Click here for more information.
Programs at Nordoff-Robbins
Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia are expanding their programs to offer a variety of music sessions for every musical ability and interest. Nordoff-Robbins' staff tell us "these new programmes are for people of all ages and abilities and what's most exciting is that you don't have to read music or have any musical background to be involved! Music speaks to everyone and we all have the intrinsic ability to respond!"
Choir
Be part of the new Choir! Open to people of all ages and abilities (and you don’t even have to read music!). Every Wednesday, 6:30pm
Drumming
Open to people of all ages and abilities. Benefits - fun, laughter, renewed energy, relaxation…and more! Every Wednesday, 5pm
Music Club for School Leavers
“At a loose end after leaving school??? Music Club is aimed at young people with a disability who want to jam together and nurture their musical talent”. Every Wednesday, 5:15pm
Location: University of Western Sydney, Building E, Second Ave, Kingswood NSW 2747
Contact: Iani Sujono
Phone: 02 4736 0240
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.nordoff-robbins.com.au
Virgin Australia Music Industry Baggage Allowance
As you may know, Virgin Australia is offering additional baggage to musicians in partnership with a number of industry bodies. Since the Music Council of Australia is one of the eligible Music Industry Bodies, Members of the Music in Communities Network are eligible for the Virgin Australia Music Industry Baggage Allowance:
- 32kg (across three pieces of checked baggage) for individuals
- an additional 32kg able to be purchased in advance for just $15
- The offer applies to musicians who play regularly with MiCN Organisational Member groups, such as bands and orchestras, and Individual MCA Members
- Please note this allowance applies for groups up to nine people, and must be arranged at least 48 hours in advance of travel
To access this offer, MiCN Members can contact
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to receive a member number. Virgin Australia requires this MCA Membership number to process the booking.
Virgin Australia is the preferred airline of the Music in Communities Network.
Community Music Classifieds: March 2012
News from the Music in Communities Network
Slight Changes to the e-Bulletin
We are combining all of the Music in Communities Network bulletins and newsletters on the one platform. Those of you who have received the "Community Music Classifieds" emails via the MCA website will continue to receive this bulletin, it will just look a little different. Those of you who have registered via the MiCN website will also continue to receive emails, they will just look a little different. We hope you like the new format. Contact Alex if you have anything to add:
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Making Music Being Well: 21-27 May 2012
Make music in May and be part of the national movement to promote music and its links with good health! Register to participate here and add your efforts to Making Music Being Well 2012. All you need to do is schedule some sort of music event at your school, workplace or in your community - it can be something you know you’ll already be doing during the week, 21 - 27 May, and we will send you brochures, posters and lots of support to help you promote your event in your local community. Read more.
Recently we’ve been speaking to festivals organisers about how community music is an essential part of their event. Read about the recent Melbourne Ukulele Festival and the Brigadoon Highland Gathering which attracts Pipe Bands from across the country.
