The Ian Potter Southbank Centre Highlights

Highlights The Hon Martin Foley MP officially opened the Ian Potter Southbank Centre in the Henson Dyer Hall on June 1, 2019. https://www.martinfoley.com.au/ Conservatorium students played Greenbaum - Fanfare to commence proceedings. Virginia Trioli oversaw proceedings as the Master of Ceremonies Vice-Chancellor, Duncan Maskell gave the opening speech. Chair of the Ian Potter Foundation, Charles Goode AC gave a speech, before we heard from Martin Foley, who outlined and honoured all involved in the creation of the building, future plans for more ARTs buildings in the precinct, and affirmed the partnership with the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

Official Opening The official opening of the Ian Potter Southbank Centre featured performances from the undergraduate students. The full orchestra performed Carinal Overture by Dvorak, Concerto for Orchestra (Mvts 4 &5) by Bartok, and Hungarian Dance No 5 by Brahms. The performance was outstanding and received a standing ovation!  The future of music in Australia is bright with such talented undergraduate students reaching such virtuosic heights at such a young age. Professor Gary McPherson is pictured with undergraduate music students - and is a member of the sMAG committee - Congratulations Gary! Australian Chamber Orchestra partners with University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Duncan Maskell announced the partnership at the official launch of The Ian Potter Southbank Centre, a new home for the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, in the heart of Melbourne’s Arts Precinct on Saturday 1 June. Students and staff at the University of Melbourne will have unparalleled access to education and research opportunities with a $1 million partnership with the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO). Read more: University of Melbourne - Fine Arts Media Release FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN REPORT sMAG Co-Chairs, Fiona Phillips and Sue Buchan, engaged in a letter writing campaign during the Federal Election.  A total of 345 letters were sent to every candidate or office of party. 50 candidates responded including Josh Frydenburg, Julian Burnside and Mark Dreyfus.   Most statements and responses stated that the relevant party valued music education and that after the election, would hold the Victorian State government to account and work with the Federal Minister for Education to see that the recommendations from the Vic Parliamentary Inquiry were followed through. They would consider the statements in the signed petition carefully.  The Change.org petition now has around 10,000 signatures:  https://www.change.org/p/the-hon-daniel-tehan-mp-federal-election-music-education-charter  Funding of around $5M  was promised from both major parties. The sMAG committee will meet again this Thursday June 13 to consider next steps. Queen's Birthday Honours Congratulations to Guy Sebastian on today's Queen's Birthday honour - the Medal of the Order of Australia. Guy's contribution to 'Don't Stop The Music' catapulted the situation around Music Education into the limelight, creating a significant platform for change. Since the story aired on the ABC, thousands of instruments were donated to the Salvation Army music programs, school programs have been initiated, and politicians have taken note of the need for increased supports. The music community thanks you, Guy! Enjoy the moment! ABC Radio: https://www.abc.net.au/radio/melbourne/programs/breakfast/sami-guy-sebastion/11195226 Congratulations and Best wishes to Dr Rosalind McMILLAN. Honoured today in the Queen's Birthday 2019 list as AM for significant service to music education in Victoria. Music Educators everywhere thank Ros for her dedication to teaching and lecturing preservice Music specialists over her career. Thank you, Ros. https://www.amuse.vic.edu.au/membership/life-members/73-dr-ros-mcmillan.html Opera Australia’s Regional Vocal Scholarship closes in just one month! Since 2014, OA has provided four annual scholarships to senior secondary students from locations on OA’s National Tour. These Scholarship recipients have had the opportunity to partake in a week-long intensive with Opera Australia in Sydney, where they receive voice and acting training, an insight into the opera and musical theatre industries through backstage tours, and an exclusive performance opportunity. Regional Vocal Scholarship auditions are now open to Year 11 and 12 students from all across Australia, as long as they live 100kms or more from their capital city (Tasmania and NT are exempt from distance criteria). This revamped program is facilitated by our online platform, allowing students to provide links to their audition videos. Round One applications are open now until 5pm (EST) Friday 28 June, with some applicants being invited to reapply for a second round in late-September. This is a very exciting initiative, and we would like to get the word out as widely as possible. Attached here is a flyer which provides basic information, our website is linked here, and we have this post on Facebook about the new program. We invite you to share this information with your networks in your preferred manner, either by forwarding this email, sharing on social media or posting on any community boards and forums. If you know anyone who would be interested in this opportunity, please let them know! Opera Australia Website: https://opera.org.au/aboutus/opera_australia