Dear Community Music Makers,
Welcome to our August update of all things participatory music!
It was with deep sadness that we learned of the passing of Archie Roach on Saturday 30 July. Respected and beloved by the Australian music community he leaves us with an enduring legacy of story and song. Our thoughts are with his family, who honour him as “a healer and unifying force”.
Read below for events and opportunities and some reflections on how, together, we can help each other through the difficult times, while celebrating the good times! Like in Mildura, where families gathered for singing, playing and drumming around the fire at Winterfest 2022! Also in the Yarra Ranges where leaders met for a good ol’ fashioned Song Swap.
Nicki and Craig were delighted to open the recent Community Music Activity Commission stream at the 35th International Society of Music Educators conference with Laura Brearley, sharing a key signed version of Laura’s Acknowledgement song “We honour the land”. This song forms part of the Songs of the Living World resource launching on 1 September.
Got an event happening in September? We can help you shout about it! Please send details to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) in a Word doc or written in the body of an email, to arrive in our inbox no later than August 21. We love hearing from you all and send big thanks to everyone who contributed to content for this edition, and to Lin Mak for helping us list it.
Lastly, Shout! is sent far and wide to keep everyone in the loop and informed so keep spreading the love; forward this on to a friend or show your appreciation with a quick check of your membership status which is quick, easy to do and available here.
Take care of yourselves!
With warm wishes from all of us, to all of you,
The team at CMVic
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CMVic News
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Squeezing out the Zest! The Music Makers adding Flavour to the Murray Mallee26 Jul 2022 “We are quite isolated in terms of where we sit within Victoria. Given that we are a really diverse community, we punch well above our weight in terms of the people we have involved in performing arts and community music and I feel that we’re really just under the radar.” So says Kylie Livingston, Community Music Victoria’s Local Catalyst for Mildura, Sunraysia and the Mallee, an exciting role created through the Growing Community Music Project (GCM) to support and nurture a network of community music-making practitioners and participants, living in this north-westerly corner of Victoria. It’s a region well known for its… |
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Big changes at CMVic! Message from Oli Hinton, CMVic Coordinator30 Jun 2022 Yes - big changes are happening at the end of June 2022. Four CMVic Coordinators (staff) who have been working for CMVic for the last 10+ years will be taking a big step back from their current roles. Deb Carveth, John Howard, Margaret Crichton, and I, all will be reducing our roles dramatically to give time for other pursuits. Deb and John will continue to add their magic, albeit with a reduced commitment, while Margaret and I will be leaving as Coordinators, though Margaret will continue as a Board member. At the same time, however, two much loved staff, Craig… |
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Yarra Ranges song swap01 Aug 2022 Last week this bunch of lovely leaders came together to share songs and stories in a good ol’ fashioned CMVic song swap kinda way. It was a nourishing afternoon – lots of receiving – yes, of repertoire, but more importantly of each other’s company, voices and harmony… and of course, a lotta, lotta laughs! It was such a delight to have that instant harmony buzz of accessible songs. Thanks to Jess and Barb, who are members of CMVic's VicSings committee, for your initaitive. If you would like to organise a gathering in your area, let Nicki know and we can help promote… |
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New Song Book: Songs of the Living World13 Jul 2022 We were delighted to introduce the Songs of the Living World at the recent 35th International Society of Music Educators Conference hosted in Melbourne in July 2022. Drawing on many years of creative collaborations with First Nation Elders and artists in intercultural and environmental projects, Laura Brearley has composed thirty environmental songs for community singing groups and choirs, focussed on three inter-related themes: Respect, Protect, Connect. The Songs of the Living World are a testament to our deep and fiercely protective love of the natural world. The recordings feature singers and musicians from across Victoria, with stunning production by Mal Webb. Songs of the Living World… |
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The CMVic Shop never shuts!31 Mar 2022 The CMVic online store has many wonderful resources lining its virtual shelves, including The Ukestration Manual and The Business of being a Community Musician by Mark Jackson and Jane Jelbart, and Just Sing and Just Sing Rounds songbooks aimed at community singing groups and choirs, by Jane Coker and Val Regan. The Ukestration Manual: Want to go beyond hum’n’strum? Want to deal with music-making humans more effectively? 100+ pages packed with knowledge, practical solutions and reflections based on ten years of teaching and leading ukulele. Click here The Business of Being a Community Musician: Let people value you as a… |
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CMVic is moving!31 Mar 2022 CMVic is upping clapsticks and moving from Ross House in Melbourne’s Flinders Lane to Collingwood Yards to cowork alongside the Music Victoria team. Collingwood Yards is a not for profit arts organisation and precinct, on the former site of the Collingwood Technical School campus. Set back from Johnston street, the re-purposed buildings give off a mellow red-brick vibe while a leafy tree-lined square offers dappled light, somewhere to sit and a place to buy coffee. As well as the lovely folk at Music Victoria, our new neighbours include The Push, PBS 106.7fm, the Victorian Music Development Office and heaps of other artists and organisations you can read about here. Having… |
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Want to place your group or event in our e-newsletter?28 Mar 2022 Send us an email request! We will happily list your community music group event on our website. Please mail info about your event to communications@cmvic.org.au with the details listed below. (We'd appreciate if you send these details as text rather than PDF or JPEG formats as it makes it easier for us to copy and paste). We look forward to hearing from you! Title: Brief Description: Cost: Time/Date: Contact: Name, Phone, Web (if available) Venue (or URL link if it's an online event): Closing date: (for auditions, employee opportunities, competitions, awards). |
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Happy Hour with Nicki Johnson is back with a new time!31 Jan 2022 Hi Songbirds! If you fancy an informal catch up, please join me – I'll be hanging around live, on Mondays at the new later time of 5:00pm for a weekly happy hour. Let's catch up. Keep an eye on the CMVic Singing Leaders' Lounge for the Zoom link. No bookings or rsvps, just turn up when you can, for as long as you feel like, I'll be there. Come with a cuppa, a glass of bubbles, or a block of chocolate (whatever you need) and join me for a laugh and a debrief! -Nicki |
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Join the CMVic Monthly Giving Circle31 Jan 2022 Join CMVic's Monthly Giving Circle! Community Music Victoria is in an exciting phase and we are busy doing what we do best: developing, implementing and delivering a rich program of music making opportunities and projects to deliver across Victoria which are open to everyone. As an independent, not-for-profit, membership based organisation Community Music Victoria relies on a mix of Government funding, membership fees, sponsorship and your donation to exist. Your support is fundamental to the future of CMVic and to our broadening the take up of community music making in Victoria. Through your efforts, over the last couple of years we’ve been able to: Create hundreds of new songs and tunes to… |
CMVic Events
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Call for EOI: FREE Disability Awareness Training by SCOPE in Mildura Mallee01 Aug 2022 - 07 Aug 2022 CMVic is calling for Expresssion of Interest to attend a FREE disabliity awareness training workshop by SCOPE, which we aim to run in early September. SCOPE are leaders in disability training, whose expert and experienced trainers draw on lived experience to break down barriers to inclusion for people with disabilities. In their interactive workshops you'll hear real life stories and undertake engaging and chellenging activities to gain a first hand perspective on disability and inclusion. Please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to secure your place. To help SCOPE customise the experience to particpant needs, CMVic is gathering examples of situations that you may have encourntered or would… |
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Call for EOI: FREE Understanding Race and Racism Workshops01 Aug 2022 - 14 Aug 2022 CMVic is offering members a FREE place at our upcoming in-house training run by HUE. We aim to create a safe and focused space to talk about race and racism, so that we can then develop skills and strategies together that work towards both racial justice and inclusivity more broadly. The organisation 'Hue' (http://www.hue.org.au) comes highly recommended for their approach, in their words: We talk about the hard stuff - to create effective change we must talk about the root causes of oppression. Our facilitators support people to identify their power and privilege and support them to move through it & learn. We talk with you not… |
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Save the date: Music Leaders Forum28 Aug 2022 Following the success of last year's Community Music Leaders Forum on Inclusive & Accessible music leading, we will soon be announcing this year's speakers and topic. Special guests will be joining us for a conversation about the latest development and opportunities for community music leaders. As always, there will be an opportunity to catch up with friends across the state. More details soon on the CMVic facebook page and in the Singing Leaders' Lounge and Music Group Leaders' Lounge. |
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2022 Dream Big Youth Music Festival08 Sep 2022 Live at The Bowery Theatre, St Albans and Livestreamed across the state. A showcase of original music and performance art created by youth in the West. Brought to you by Dream Big Partners: Royal Children's Hospital Festival for Healthy Living, Making Media Australia, the Department of Families Fairness and Housing, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network, City of Brimbank, and CMVic! Find out more at the Dream Big website and follow Dream Big on facebook for updates |
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Save the date for BUF 2022: Sunday 18 September18 Sep 2022 Join us for Boroondara Ukulele Festival, Sunday 18 September 2022, at the Ashburton Community Centre and online! Workshops, community groups and presenters’ concerts, onsite displays and a music store (thanks Pat’s Music), the BUF raffle, and more, including CMVic’s famous Ukeoke. Learn new uke techniques, get artistic, buy a uke (or seriously covet one!), Play along with uke enthusiasts and have a uke-ing good time! There's something for everyone, from absolute beginners (some ukes available to use on the day) to anyone looking to take their playing to the next level (yes, even jazz!). For the full program, keep an… |
Public News
Community News and Info
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Join the Melbourne Fringe Choir!30 Jun 2022 Melbourne Fringe are forming a Fringe Choir as part of a unique event at the 2022 Melbourne Fringe Festival. Their team are on the hunt for singers with music reading ability and a passion for performance art for a one-day… |
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Choir or Singing Group Sought for Masters Application30 Jun 2022 Emery Barker is a composer seeking a choir or singing group who would be willing to help them with their application to a Masters Program. Emery is hoping for at least 3 of each voice (SSSAAATTTBBB) to sing their piece, 'Kinda'… |
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Cello Teacher Vacancy27 Jun 2022 Sophia Mundi Steiner and IB World School is seeking a cello tutor to join our music faculty in the thriving arts precinct of The Abbotsford Convent. The allocation is for approximately three days per week to start in Term 3… |
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Companion Voices: singing for the end of life15 Jun 2022 There are several singing groups in the US, UK and beyond which specialise in bringing songs of comfort to the dying. You may have heard of the Threshold Choir network in the US. Here in the UK we have Companion Voices founded by Judith Silver in… |
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Music Is Just as Powerful at Improving Mental Health as Exercise, Review Suggests15 Jun 2022 The next time you're not able to get out to the gym, maybe spin some records instead: new research suggests the positive impact on mental health from singing, playing, or listening to music is around the same impact experienced with… |
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Kingston Singers – new choir in the City of Kingston!30 May 2022 Calling all shower singers, car crooners and karaoke carollers: you are invited to join in an evening of song and community with Kingston’s brand new choir. All welcome! Enjoy group singing of songs from many styles and eras, and from… |
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Mental Health & Wellbeing in Music and Live Performing Arts: Survey findings revealed30 May 2022 SupportAct has unveiled the findings of its first ever Mental Health and Wellbeing in Music and Live Performing Arts survey, and the results are a stark wake up call to the state of mental health in our industry. The results… |
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Boosting Brain Function in Later Life Through Singing30 May 2022 Summary: Singing in a social group such as a choir may help protect cognitive function and treat aphasia in older adults. Ask anyone in a choir why they enjoy it, and they will tell you about the euphoric effects singing has… |
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OPPORTUNITY - Volunteer Musician/Music Group Leader Inbox23 May 2022 Sacred Heart Mission is looking for a confident volunteer musician who can facilitate a small group music session weekly on Wednesday mornings in our Engagement Hub in Grey Street, St. Kilda. Our clients attend to pick up a take-away meal and… |
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Welsh government triples funding for music education23 May 2022 As the cost of living increases, children’s music lessons might not be top of everyone’s list of priorities. However, the government in Wales, UK is working to make sure that disadvantaged children will have access to music education. Their new… |
For more community news and information visit our website
Public Events
Group Events
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Call for EOI: FREE Understanding Race and Racism Workshops01 Aug 2022 - 14 Aug 2022 CMVic is offering members a FREE place at our upcoming in-house training run by HUE. We aim to create a safe and focused space to talk about race and racism, so that we can then develop skills and strategies together that work towards both racial justice… |
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Singing for Peace on Hiroshima Day06 Aug 2022 Join us as singers and audience to commemorate Hiroshima Day, the first use of nuclear weapons in war. The Victorian Trade Union Choir, Brunswick Rogues Choir, Serenading Adela singers and friends will gather and lead the audience in songs for… |
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“Spruik the Uke” Festival15 Oct 2022 A day to celebrate and spruik this wonderful instrument, the ukulele, along with like-minded players, culminating in shared learning and performance opportunities. There will be workshops and a late afternoon concert. Tea/coffee available on site, lunch available at Tyers Shop or bring… |
Music Playing Opportunities
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Drum Connection, Group Hand Drumming Courses14 Jul 2022 - 16 Sep 2022 These fun community courses have been running in Hurstbridge continuously for over 17 years. Drumming is accessible to all, great for brain power and fun, fun, fun! New members are welcomed at the start of each term. Seniors and timid… |
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GAMC Jam Sessions02 Aug 2022 The GAMC Jam sessions are fortnightly on the 2nd and 4th Saturday mornings of each month. They run from 10.00am – 12.00pm. You can stay for 10 mins, 30 mins or the full session – the sessions are fluid and relaxed. … |
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Singing for Peace on Hiroshima Day06 Aug 2022 Join us as singers and audience to commemorate Hiroshima Day, the first use of nuclear weapons in war. The Victorian Trade Union Choir, Brunswick Rogues Choir, Serenading Adela singers and friends will gather and lead the audience in songs for… |
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Mirboo Music Jam17 Aug 2022 Dates: Every 2nd Wednesday Event: Mirboo Music Jam Location: The Old Grain Store All instruments and/or voice and all ages and experience levels welcome. No cost. Further info: see Mirboo Music Facebook page, or post on GAMC Facebook page, or contact Peter McCarthy. |
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Save the date for BUF 2022: Sunday 18 September18 Sep 2022 Join us for Boroondara Ukulele Festival, Sunday 18 September 2022, at the Ashburton Community Centre and online! Workshops, community groups and presenters’ concerts, onsite displays and a music store (thanks Pat’s Music), the BUF raffle, and more, including CMVic’s famous… |
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Whittlesea Uke Muster 202215 Oct 2022 SAVE THE DATE – Saturday 15 October! Whittlesea's annual Uke Muster is back face-to-face! With workshops for all levels, performance skills, stalls, food trucks and the famous Grand Finale concert! All welcome. Registration opens soon and keep an eye out for our program… |
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“Spruik the Uke” Festival15 Oct 2022 A day to celebrate and spruik this wonderful instrument, the ukulele, along with like-minded players, culminating in shared learning and performance opportunities. There will be workshops and a late afternoon concert. Tea/coffee available on site, lunch available at Tyers Shop or bring… |
Metro Events
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Calling all singers to join THECHO!R in Term 311 Jul 2022 - 16 Sep 2022 DO YOU LOVE TO SING? Come sing with us You’re invited to sing in Melbourne’s most exciting non-auditioned choir in 2022! Now in their 14th year, THECHO!R offers another exciting, diverse range of performance opportunities. Repertoire includes popular music, world music, musicals… |
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Celtic Jam – online and in person at Box Hill (Melbourne) $1013 Jul 2022 - 14 Sep 2022 Celtic Jam is back weekly at Box Hill Arts Centre. We're revising our old tunes from pre-covid times and adding in our favourites from the online sessions over the past years. The session is a chance to play tunes at a… |
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Welcome Sessions for Young Adults with Diverse Learning Needs14 Jul 2022 - 15 Sep 2022 Offered by Quasitrad Music Melbourne, these social music-making sessions are funded by the charity Keys of Life to offer young people with autism and other learning needs an opportunity to come together and play music in the style of a traditional Celtic session.… |
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Sussex Skylarks Choir Term 315 Jul 2022 - 16 Sep 2022 Love to sing? Join our friendly and inclusive community choir on Fridays! Open and welcome to every one of every ability, join our friendly and inclusive community choir. Led by the multi-talented Phil Hudson of Black Sheep Music, connect with… |
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Call for EOI: FREE Understanding Race and Racism Workshops01 Aug 2022 - 14 Aug 2022 CMVic is offering members a FREE place at our upcoming in-house training run by HUE. We aim to create a safe and focused space to talk about race and racism, so that we can then develop skills and strategies together that work towards both racial justice… |
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Singing for Peace on Hiroshima Day06 Aug 2022 Join us as singers and audience to commemorate Hiroshima Day, the first use of nuclear weapons in war. The Victorian Trade Union Choir, Brunswick Rogues Choir, Serenading Adela singers and friends will gather and lead the audience in songs for… |
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Surrey Hills Orchestra “Concertofest”07 Aug 2022 Surrey Hills Orchestra presents: Concertofest 2022 Conductor: Marie-Louise Wright Programs: Von Suppe, Tchaikovsky, Clarke and Mozart Tickets: $25/20 U16 $10 Family $50 https://www.trybooking.com/CBAXM |
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Singers, join Victorian Chorale to sing Haydn06 Sep 2022 - 17 Sep 2022 Experienced singers are warmly invited to join Victoria Chorale in singing two of Haydn's Seasons - Spring and Summer. Sopranos, especially, and all other voice parts, are most welcome. These are beautiful works to sing. Many musicologists rate them as equal to… |
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2022 Dream Big Youth Music Festival08 Sep 2022 Live at The Bowery Theatre, St Albans and Livestreamed across the state. A showcase of original music and performance art created by youth in the West. Brought to you by Dream Big Partners: Royal Children's Hospital Festival for Healthy Living,… |
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Save the date for BUF 2022: Sunday 18 September18 Sep 2022 Join us for Boroondara Ukulele Festival, Sunday 18 September 2022, at the Ashburton Community Centre and online! Workshops, community groups and presenters’ concerts, onsite displays and a music store (thanks Pat’s Music), the BUF raffle, and more, including CMVic’s famous… |
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Whittlesea Uke Muster 202215 Oct 2022 SAVE THE DATE – Saturday 15 October! Whittlesea's annual Uke Muster is back face-to-face! With workshops for all levels, performance skills, stalls, food trucks and the famous Grand Finale concert! All welcome. Registration opens soon and keep an eye out for our program… |
Regional Events
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Singing for Fun in Bellbrae18 Feb 2022 - 18 Nov 2022 The Singing for Fun team welcome you to our new year of singing together to ‘Sing like nobody is listening’. We will meet four times in 2022, in February May, August and November, on the third Friday of these months.… |
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Briagolong Ukulele Strum Session07 May 2022 - 03 Dec 2022 Come and join our Briagolong Strum Session if you are in our part of Gippsland on the first Saturday of each month (except Jan). We are a friendly group and all ability levels, especially beginners are welcome. So too are… |
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Call for EOI: FREE Disability Awareness Training by SCOPE in Mildura Mallee01 Aug 2022 - 07 Aug 2022 CMVic is calling for Expresssion of Interest to attend a FREE disabliity awareness training workshop by SCOPE, which we aim to run in early September. SCOPE are leaders in disability training, whose expert and experienced trainers draw on lived experience to break down… |
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Inverloch Jazz Festival 202205 Aug 2022 - 07 Aug 2022 The famous Inverloch Jazz Festival is back in 2022, from Friday 5th to Sunday 7th August. Immerse yourself in the best of live jazz, with lots of new bands playing at four venues. Welcome back! A Sunday morning church… |
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Gippsland Acoustic Music Club with Polly Christie and family06 Aug 2022 Polly Christie is a singer, songwriter, conductor and musician. She conducts community choirs and leads the Pollyphonics Choir in Woodend, Central Victoria. A beautiful singer and skilled songwriter, Polly makes music and performs with her partner, well-known harp player and… |
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Mirboo Music Jam17 Aug 2022 Dates: Every 2nd Wednesday Event: Mirboo Music Jam Location: The Old Grain Store All instruments and/or voice and all ages and experience levels welcome. No cost. Further info: see Mirboo Music Facebook page, or post on GAMC Facebook page, or contact Peter McCarthy. |
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Save the date: Music Leaders Forum28 Aug 2022 Following the success of last year's Community Music Leaders Forum on Inclusive & Accessible music leading, we will soon be announcing this year's speakers and topic. Special guests will be joining us for a conversation about the latest development and opportunities… |
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“Spruik the Uke” Festival15 Oct 2022 A day to celebrate and spruik this wonderful instrument, the ukulele, along with like-minded players, culminating in shared learning and performance opportunities. There will be workshops and a late afternoon concert. Tea/coffee available on site, lunch available at Tyers Shop or bring… |
Music Camps
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Border Music Camp is back!25 Sep 2022 - 01 Oct 2022 Border Music Camp is back and being held in Albury from Sunday 25 September to Saturday 1 October 2022! Border Music Camp is a week-long camp for musicians of all ages from 8 years of age, from beginners to advanced… |
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Whittlesea Uke Muster 202215 Oct 2022 SAVE THE DATE – Saturday 15 October! Whittlesea's annual Uke Muster is back face-to-face! With workshops for all levels, performance skills, stalls, food trucks and the famous Grand Finale concert! All welcome. Registration opens soon and keep an eye out for our program… |
Workshops
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Melbourne Georgian Choir is reconvening for a second Semester!18 Jun 2022 - 06 Aug 2022 The Boite's Melbourne Georgian Choir is reconvening for a second 2022 Semester for more singing of brilliant Georgian songs in a beautiful acoustic space, St Mark’s in Clifton Hill. Rehearsals are from 2:30 to 4:30pm Saturdays from 18th June to 6th August. To make the rehearsals… |
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Call for EOI: FREE Disability Awareness Training by SCOPE in Mildura Mallee01 Aug 2022 - 07 Aug 2022 CMVic is calling for Expresssion of Interest to attend a FREE disabliity awareness training workshop by SCOPE, which we aim to run in early September. SCOPE are leaders in disability training, whose expert and experienced trainers draw on lived experience to break down… |
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Call for EOI: FREE Understanding Race and Racism Workshops01 Aug 2022 - 14 Aug 2022 CMVic is offering members a FREE place at our upcoming in-house training run by HUE. We aim to create a safe and focused space to talk about race and racism, so that we can then develop skills and strategies together that work towards both racial justice… |
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Save the date: Music Leaders Forum28 Aug 2022 Following the success of last year's Community Music Leaders Forum on Inclusive & Accessible music leading, we will soon be announcing this year's speakers and topic. Special guests will be joining us for a conversation about the latest development and opportunities… |
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Save the date for BUF 2022: Sunday 18 September18 Sep 2022 Join us for Boroondara Ukulele Festival, Sunday 18 September 2022, at the Ashburton Community Centre and online! Workshops, community groups and presenters’ concerts, onsite displays and a music store (thanks Pat’s Music), the BUF raffle, and more, including CMVic’s famous… |
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Whittlesea Uke Muster 202215 Oct 2022 SAVE THE DATE – Saturday 15 October! Whittlesea's annual Uke Muster is back face-to-face! With workshops for all levels, performance skills, stalls, food trucks and the famous Grand Finale concert! All welcome. Registration opens soon and keep an eye out for our program… |
Classes
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GAMC Ukulele Lessons for 202227 Feb 2022 - 26 Nov 2022 The Gippsland Acoustic Music Club has been preparing for ukulele lessons in 2022. This coming year sees us offering 3 levels of ukulele lessons. These are: 1. Beginners – absolute beginner/starting Beginners (those new to ukulele or those with only… |
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