What are the possibilities for music education, participation, & performance in our region?

A group of leading local musicians, teachers, festival creatives and community representatives have joined forces to start imagining the future opportunities for music training, creation, and presentation in the region.

Music contributes to our creativity, expression and well-being at all stages of our lives. The value of exposure to, and participation in, music particularly at an early age, is now well established.

Acknowledging this value, the group has commissioned a study to consider what is needed to extend the pathways for current and next-generation local students, teachers, composers and musicians. This is an opportunity to explore how to enhance and compliment music development, performances and education happening in our schools, venues and elsewhere across the region.

Conducted by consultants Tony Grybowski and Associates, the study will commence with a survey of arts organisations, education providers and interested members in the community. The survey results will help to build a shared understanding of the breadth and diversity of participation, assess unmet demand, and capture the aspirations for a thriving music industry for the region.

The study will also look beyond the region: seeking inspiration by examining leading examples of regional arts, education, academies, and creative hubs.

 “It’s an exciting time to be considering what the region can offer as a centre for music excellence. This is an opportunity to imagine new ways of harnessing and supporting the voice and talent of artists across the region. We are looking forward to considering how the Southwest can be a landmark in Victoria for regional music cultivation” said Tony Grybowski, Director of Tony Grybowski and Associates.

The study is the first step in a larger scale project. Tony Herbert, Chair of the expert-led music collective said “We have a shared vision and passion for Southwest to be home for all stages of musical expression. We want to be able to support our local artists to learn, develop, teach and stay in the region. We intend to use the outcomes of the study to consider what’s possible and design a bold, shared vision for music in the Southwest”.

The study has been made possible with generous support from the district foundations. The overall project will run over the next three months and a report of the study will be presented to the project’s steering committee in September 2022.

For more details contact:
Tony Herbert (Chair)
tonygherbert@gmail.com