Have you ever wanted to sing with Katie Noonan or Teddy Tahu Rhodes? The Queensland Music Festival (QMF) is giving you the chance!
QMF is assembling a choir of singers to join the talented vocalists, and musical director Dr. Johnathon Welch (Choir of Hard Knocks), at its upcoming Voices of Remembrance concerts in Toowoomba and Cairns. Interested choirs or individuals can apply to be part of these events at the QMF website until June 29.
“This concert will help everyone reconnect with moving stories from the First World War and celebrate the peace that came with the signing of the Armistice,” explained Katie, who’s currently serving as QMF’s artistic director.
If like me your vocal chords aren’t blessed, you can still catch these special Armistice Day shows in Toowoomba on November 9 and Cairns on November 10. Tickets will be free, although you’ll need to book them through the QMF site later this year.
If you’re a Queensland high school student with dreams of becoming the next Ennio Morricone or John Williams, make sure you enter the ScoreIT! Competition. Part of the Queensland Music Festival (QMF), the competition encourages budding composers to score a short animated film produced by the Griffith Film School. The winning entry will be performed by a live orchestra in July. Winners will also take home RØDE Microphones recording gear. Finalists will also benefit from composition workshops and masterclasses led by experts from the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and a half-day workshop from leading video and digital agency PixelFrame.
Your entry will be judged by an all-star panel including acclaimed vocalist and QMF artistic director Katie Noonan, award-winning film composer Cameron Patrick, and industry leaders from the Griffith Film School, the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, and the Queensland School of Film and Television.
“Music speaks – without words. I can recall many film scores that have moved me throughout the years, and I can’t wait to hear what our talented young composers come up with for the three beautiful animations produced by Griffith Film School students,” Katie Noonan said. “Many past Score IT! participants have gone on to study music at university and are still following their passion, which is exactly why we started this Queensland Music Festival project in the first place.”
There are three ScoreIT! categories: Junior (year 7-10), Senior (year 11 and 12), and Plus, which has the added challenge of composing for a specified instrumentation (year 7-12). Make sure you get yours in before May 18. Visit the Queensland Music Festival website for more information and to view the animated show films.
Image used with permission from Queensland Music Festival
Kate Ceberano, Lior, Steve Kilbey, and David Hobson are just some of the big names playing the Queensland Music Festival this year. In her first year as the artistic director, Katie Noonan has put together an incredible line-up for the Sunshine State.
“I want the talented and passionate people of Queensland to be empowered to join the 2017 festival and help create performances that truly reflect the life of our diverse and vibrant state,” she said.
In all there’ll be 100 performances in 45 locations over the three-week event. Here are just some of the highlights:
You’re The Voice – Saturday 29 July @ South Bank Piazza
Kate Ceberano, Isaiah, Katie Noonan and thousands of other singers shine a light on the domestic violence crisis through the power of song at.
Songs That Made Me – Sunday 16 July @ The Tivoli
Deborah Conway, Clare Bowditch, and Hannah Macklin perform together to celebrate women in music after mentoring the next generation.
Silver Memories – Aged-care centers in Brisbane, Toowoomba, and the Sunshine Coast
Intimate concerts of classical and jazz music, performed by Queensland Conservatorium ensembles, to show the power of healing music has for elderly Australians.
The Bach to Bush tour – Thursday 13 to Sunday 23 July in remote Western Queensland towns
Joint performances, workshops, and masterclasses with percussionist John Morrison and virtuoso cellist Louise King.
Hang with QYO – Saturday 29 July
A world premiere concerto written by emerging Queensland composer Dr Thomas Green honouring the father of Australia’s youth orchestra movement, John Curro. The show will feature acclaimed composer and Bjork drummer Manu Delago.
16 Lovers Lane – Friday 14 July @ QPAC
A special concert paying tribute to one of Australia’s greatest albums, featuring the Go-Betweens’ Lindy Morrison, Amanda Brown and John Willsteed, with Dan Kelly, Danny Widdicombe, Luke Daniel Peacock, and a guest line-up including Steve Kilbey (The Church), Mark Callaghan (GANGgajang), Ron S Peno (Died Pretty), Katie and Tyrone Noonan (george), Montaigne, Sam Cromack and Jen Boyce (Ball Park Music), Tim Nelson and Zoe Davis (Cub Sport), Sahara Beck, and Kirin J Callinan.
Joh for PM – Friday 7 to Sunday 16 July @ Brisbane Powerhouse
Colin Lane stars in this satirical musical created by playwright Stephen Carleton and composer Paul Hodge.
And that’s just for starters. Visit the Queensland Music Festival website for the full schedule.
The Queensland Music Festival runs from July 7 to 30. If you’re local, make sure you get out there and experience some of the great talent on show.
