The development of a Community Music Resource for the ACT
by Mahler 11:46am, 31 July 2008
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I am a community musician and the manager of a community music organisation called "The Maruki Community Orchestra" (www.dcnicholls.com/maruki).
What I have in mind is to use multiple ex-school sites around Canberra to create a home for community music in Canberra. There are literally thousands of people in Canberra involved in Community music - ranging in age from 5 to 85 - we have over 70 choirs, ten orchestras of various kinds, countless ensembles and soloists, garage bands a plenty and the list goes on. And yet all of these entities are individual, all relying on their own (often pathetic) finances and facilities to learn, practice and perform music ranging from classical to modern and all types between and beyond. We even have several composers and a School of Music. But yet all are individual, and disconnected from each other. Performances and concerts are uncoordinated and conflicting, sharing small and few venues - often expensively and inefficiently.
My proposal is that the ex-school facilities be made available through a central community music organisation who can support, manage and facilitate community music.
Classrooms are ideal for teaching music, dance, choirs etc., and this gives the original purpose of the schools an opportunity to continue to be used without substantial modification, and keeps them as community hubs, where people can learn, meet one another and share in their community in the best possible way. It would breathe life not only back into the schools but also the communities which surround them - and it is inclusive - children, adults and seniors - able and disabled.
It would also provide a (paying) home for music teachers, performance artists and music groups - commercial and otherwise.
It does not preclude the use of the ex-schools for other uses - meetings, art classes, whatever. The buildings are adaptable and multipurpose as a result.
I have already suggested such a plan to the Chief Minister and his advisers and they look upon such a suggestion positively, and favourably.
I would be more than happy to build upon this "submission" if the ACT Government would like. Happy to arrange for a self funded feasibility study and business case if required.
Christopher A. Nicholls
Orchestra Manager
Maruki Community Orchestra
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Relates to website: http://www.dcnicholls.com/maruki
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Aug 05, 2008 09:29am
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I am a community musician and the manager of a community music organisation called "The Maruki Community Orchestra" (www.dcnicholls.com/maruki).
What I have in mind is to use multiple ex-school sites around Canberra to create a home for community music in Canberra. There are literally thousands of people in Canberra involved in Community music - ranging in age from 5 to 85 - we have over 70 choirs, ten orchestras of various kinds, countless ensembles and soloists, garage bands a plenty and the list goes on. And yet all of these entities are individual, all relying on their own (often pathetic) finances and facilities to learn, practice and perform music ranging from classical to modern and all types between and beyond. We even have several composers and a School of Music. But yet all are individual, and disconnected from each other. Performances and concerts are uncoordinated and conflicting, sharing small and few venues - often expensively and inefficiently.
My proposal is that the ex-school facilities be made available through a central community music organisation who can support, manage and facilitate community music.
Classrooms are ideal for teaching music, dance, choirs etc., and this gives the original purpose of the schools an opportunity to continue to be used without substantial modification, and keeps them as community hubs, where people can learn, meet one another and share in their community in the best possible way. It would breathe life not only back into the schools but also the communities which surround them - and it is inclusive - children, adults and seniors - able and disabled.
It would also provide a (paying) home for music teachers, performance artists and music groups - commercial and otherwise.
It does not preclude the use of the ex-schools for other uses - meetings, art classes, whatever. The buildings are adaptable and multipurpose as a result.
I have already suggested such a plan to the Chief Minister and his advisers and they look upon such a suggestion positively, and favourably.
I would be more than happy to build upon this "submission" if the ACT Government would like. Happy to arrange for a self funded feasibility study and business case if required.
Christopher A. Nicholls
Orchestra Manager
Maruki Community Orchestra