REGIONAL TEACHING

Music In Mount Gambier

By Heather Lucas

Hi from Mount Gambier, the Blue Lake City. Music is still alive and well, down here in the country.

On May 5th-7th, Mount Gambier becomes the Jazz capital of Australia, with the “Generations in Jazz Festival” attracting many of Australia’s top bands and solo performers.

There are busloads of students arriving from all over Australia before the weekend.

The tent seats 8000 people. Quite a few of my students are performing in bands during the weekend. Such great experience for them either as performers or audience.

Mount Gambier also has a new performance venue opened in February.

The OPUS MUSIC CAFÉ is a venture owned by a local family who are keen to promote local musicians. Performers entertain patrons during lunchtime each Friday and Saturday.

Patrons can enjoy a coffee or meal with lovely entertainment.

My students are preparing their performances for Saturday May 13th, a great first performance of their new exam pieces for 2023. It is fantastic to have somewhere local where musicians can perform in a relaxed and appreciative atmosphere. The décor is very eclectic. LP’s are glued to display cases, along with covers. Records as menus. Serviette holders made from folded EP’s. Cutlery boxes are constructed with tapes glued together. The food and coffee are great too!!

Later in the year, we look forward to the Eisteddfod, closely followed by AMEB exams.

2022 AMEB exam results were very pleasing with every student receiving very high marks.

I was extremely proud of Yenna Joyce who received the Grade 7 Piano for Leisure Scholarship. Yenna performs at another local café on a regular basis.

Of course, there are many other regular musical events that I have not covered but I hope I have given you a tiny peek at how things go musically in Mount Gambier in 2023.