Learning & Access Update
Over the past two months, our Learning & Access programs have continued bringing joy and opportunities despite lockdowns and restrictions.
Song Play is bringing happy dances to Wednesday mornings on Zoom for little ones, and our new collaboration of Song Play with Vision Australia saw a gorgeous online class of eight children aged 0-5 years joining us from as far as Tasmania. The exceptional young artists in our Accelerando program took part in an Audition Master Class online in August, learning tips and tricks on how to impress an audition panel. Thank you to all of our Learning & Access program supporters for making these connecting music experiences possible, especially during this time.
Music Always
September saw a Stiletto Sisters Music Always tour moved online, which was an exciting challenge for our artists, who reimagined the entire concert experience to fit into shared Zoom screens. Our Aged Care Partners loved being transported across Europe with some traditional favourites.
‘Yesterday’s program was fantastic !!! May I say the best yet... somehow being virtual didn’t matter... it felt like the Stiletto Sisters were in the room. How well they engaged directly with our residents, the music was chicken soup for their isolated souls, everyone was alert, connected and present. The technical side was also really well done, I could tell how much preparation had gone into this and everyone present left uplifted with a smile on their faces (including me). Please say a huge thank you to everyone involved!’ - Music Always Aged Care Partner
Great Romantics Competition
Although the 2021 live concert competition couldn’t go ahead due to COVID restrictions, we’re hoping to host the finalists in Centre to record their performances for a delayed YouTube Premiere. And…we’re happy to announce that our 6 finalists are:
- Jye Todorov, bassoon
- Emily Su, violin
- Rachel Shindang, piano
- Clancy McLeod, guitar
- Charlotte Miles, cello
- Alexander Hazelbank, piano
Stay tuned for online premiere details.
Supported by Annamila Pty Ltd, and Mrs Margaret S. Ross AM & Dr Ian C Ross, with the Peninsula Summer Music Festival as a proud partner.
Regional Music Exchange
Our Take-5 Mildura student quartet were still able to take advantage of the professional development sessions of the Regional Music Exchange program, when the week’s activities were moved online. They undertook general rehearsals, master classes and individual lessons with Flinders Quartet, music exploration with Susan Eldridge, a compositional workshop with Nat Bartsch, and an Alexander Technique session with Ann Shoebridge. Although they were disappointed not to be able to join us in Melbourne, they were still grateful that the program could go ahead.
Bach Competition
We were finally able to host our Youtube Premiere for the Bach Competition in September, with over 1600 views. The concert concluded with the announcement of the competition winners:
- Richard Mills Prize - Beatrice Colombis
- Encouragement Award 1 - Teresa Yang
- Encouragement Award 2 - Meng Xia
- Young Bach Scholar Award - Samantha Li
Supported by Richard Mills AM, Martine Letts, Vivienne Ritchie and Maria Johnson on behalf of the Late Harry Johnson
Music Production Mentoring
In September, we moved our Music Production Mentoring online, which is a program for teenagers who are blind or have low vision, and are interested in producing music at home. They are teamed with an MRC sound engineer/music producer who works with the students via Zoom and a program called Reaper.
Supported by the William Buckland Foundation
Sound Matters
The Term 3 Sound Matters session was held in September on Zoom and was hosted by the program’s Artistic Director, Ben Opie. He took the young participants on a guided listening journey of pieces that were composed for interesting settings, like Stockhausen’s Helicopter String Quartet.
Supported by the William Buckland Foundation
Accelerando
The Accelerando program continues online, with our young vocalist Elizabeth preparing for University auditions with a dramatic session with director and composer Dean Bryant.
Supported by the Cranbourne Foundation
Song Play
September saw us through to the end of Song Play Term 3. Whilst the families were lucky enough to connect in person in week one, the remainder of the term was held online.
We are looking forward to this years' final term of Song Play. We hope the families will be able to come together in the Centre for the end of the term to celebrate.
Song Play with Vision Australia
The final two Song Play with Vision Australia Term 3 classes took place in September. Seeing the families start to form strong connections online was really beautiful.
We look forward to hosting another term of Song Play with Vision Australia in the coming weeks and welcoming families from Queensland online as well.