By Felicity Woodhill, founder of Inspire Music Australia
Every month the BlueScope Gallery at Wollongong Art Gallery fills with an audience of all ages to hear some of Australia’s leading young musicians perform along with exceptional local talent. These concerts often include the premiere of new compositions by the performers and other contemporary composers.
Our young audience who regularly attend from Planet Childcare, Coledale opened the December concert with songs accompanied by a trio: Sarah Zhu on viola, Paul Nicolaou on harp and James Monro on cello. In April this trio took their concert to Canberra, where they again played to a full house. Creating live performance opportunities is the most important way for the community to support the musical journey of our next generation of musicians.
In May the Emerging Concert Artists Series celebrates 20 performances at Music & Tea at the Gallery. These concerts have featured 41 passionate and dedicated young musicians from across NSW with a strong focus on performers from the Illawarra and Southern Highlands.
Volunteers make it happen and keep it FREE
An increasing number of volunteers contribute to the production of the event.
Diane manages front of house. Joining the team at our first concert in August 2022, she has not skipped a concert. Her calm, ordered approach is greatly appreciated.
Therese has come on board to assist with organisation on the day, from handing out programs to making the tea and biscuit service run smoothly. My daughter, violinist Cedar Newman, also regularly volunteers her time for the concert set up, pack up and tea service.
Chelsea Caligari is our wonderful professional photographer who captures the artists in action and the ambience of the concerts. The photographic journal of the concert is important for the artists and our marketing. Cheryl Tucker from Bowral proofs the copy of the program. Artist Shining Rainbow is another member of the community who has been captivated by the young musicians and contributes her time to help create the flyers and programs for the concerts.
Fundraiser for Inspire Music Australia
InspireMusicAus is a newly formed not-for-profit committed to providing more live music performance opportunities for emerging classical, jazz and world musicians, and to making live music accessible for all community members.
Most of our concerts are entry by donation, and the model works. Our first series, Concerts Across the Lawn, started during Covid-19 and has become very popular. Our Emerging Concert Artist Series has seen positive growth in donations, helping to cover musicians’ performance fees.
Yet running a concert series is expensive and requires more than just artist fees. We are launching a fundraising campaign via the Australian Cultural Fund – all donations through this fund will be tax deductible.
Follow us on Facebook @inspiremusicaust and on Instagram @inspiremusic.aus
