News Item

FUNDING BOOST FOR BUDDING MUSICIANS

January 6, 2012

Local musicians now have a wonderful opportunity to meet, rehearse and perform with others.

Community College Gippsland has received $10,000 in two government grants to support a live music night held monthly at the McMillan campus at Warragul to foster and encourage local talent.

CCG Live Music Night Coordinator, Des Hughes, said the Volunteer Grants from the Victorian and Australian governments had enabled the purchase of a permanent PA system and lighting system.

“This is a major step forward for our White Room Live music program which has cemented itself as a permanent fixture on the music arts calendar in West Gippsland.

“This initiative supports experienced and emerging musicians giving them a platform to perform to the local community in a live cabaret style setting.”

Mr Hughes said the grant would also help to expand the program in 2012 to include collaborative training sessions for new and emerging artists.

“We are introducing a second evening (non-performance) where less experienced musicians and singers can rehearse and receive mentoring to increase their performance skills. It will also enable musicians to network with others to form groups, duos or trios.

“The aim will be to nurture emerging artists so they can take the next step as performers.”

Musician and Coordinator, John Curtis, said White Room Live had been a successful event attracting up to 20 musicians and singers each performance night and an audience of between 60 and 80 people.

“The wealth of musical talent locally is impressive and we have attracted a diversity of musicians of many ages playing everything from jazz, blues, rock, ballads, to contemporary, original music and more. A highlight of each performance night is the open jam session where performers play together unrehearsed, adding a surprise element to each show.

“We encourage the community to support these White Room Live music nights in 2012 and extend an invitation to venue operators to attend as many of the artists are exceptionally talented and available for work.”

“The Community College Gippsland McMillan Campus Dining Room – The Jana Group of Companies room – is the permanent venue for White Room Live, which performs on the first Friday every month, starting again on 3rd February 2012.”

Musicians interested in becoming part of White Room Live should contact:

John Curtis on 0409 782 404.
or
Des Hughes
White Room Live Music Night Coordinator
0419 588 528

Front: (kneeling) Katie Clements, Timothy Knight, Helen Brown, Monica Elliot
Standing: James Hinton, John Coupe, Andrew Palmer, Melanie Camp, John Curtis, Alan Tatlow, Malcolm McCaffry, Peter Brown, Trevor Gadd, Jo Simpson, Kerryn Vaughan, Des Hughes