Music in the Community

I had the pleasure this week of addressing a local Rotary Club where I shared  some of my songs, along with some insight into the life of a working musician.

Just as there's a marked difference to working in a major corporation vs working in a small to micro-small business, so it is with Music and the Arts.   Some musicians are in there for fame, fortune, recognition ....and few of those will achieve their big dreams in a world where commercial interests take priority over the artform.  But - and leaving aside the hobbyist players - there is a substantial number of musicians, working at community level, with a whole different set of priorities.

Community musicians have a passion to engage with their community, to make a contribution to the betterment of their community, and to foster a passion for their art within the community.  Some of them do this by actively working with  individuals and groups - teaching, sharing, encouraging others to get involved in music.  {A great example locally is Mark Jackson who instigated the Newcastle Ukestra which now numbers hundreds of individual members.  Many of those had never known the joy of making music.  The movement has community members helping other community members in small groups and encouraging friendship and connection amongst people of all ages}.

Others make a difference in the daily life of individuals by busking - uplifting someone with a smile makes a difference. A thread of music from another human being may just distract and uplift someone carrying a particularly  heavy burden at that moment.  Whilst others take the stories of individuals in the community and write them in songs, creating a melodic record of the day to day life in our community, our society.

It's an important role that these artists fill in the world around us.  Yet they are - for the most part - terribly undervalued,  underrated and unrecognised for the contribution they make.

Mega concerts and huge arts events may be a commercial drawcard which benefits Councils and governments through tourism dollars.  But it is the smaller, intimate, community-focused, Arts & Music-based functions and events which enriches the individuals who live in the community and which builds a community spirit.  And it's community musicians and artists that make those things come alive.

CREATIVELY SMOKIN'!

Holy Smoke!  So much is happening that I forgot all about my own personal blog!   rhagataggach!!  So I'm just going to share the scorecard in this post....and reflect a little on human nature and the music industry while I'm here.


ON THE GO:

• The new album made brilliant and rapid progress to start but has now stalled - waiting for another studio date.  Hopefully Rob can fit me in before the end of July.  About 75% of the tracks are done but I had to find a young woman's voice to sing "Gemma's Song" and it looks like Kate Lightening McLean-Hamilton is going to do the job.  She has a lovely distinctive sound which should fit the song well.  Some additional instrument tracks need to go down and Rob Long will do most of those.  And there's another couple of vocal lines to go down including Mike Gray's voice on a Spiritual Round.
• The morning Seniors Shows at the RX Theatre in Newcastle haven't sold which is disappointing but we're hoping that we'll at least fill the last Tuesday in July.  
• The fundraiser for Folk in Broke was a great night that everyone enjoyed ....however it was poorly supported by the local community and raised less than half of the hoped-for $s
• The Savoy Supper Club opens in just over a week and fingers crossed that it gets the support it deserves.  I'm thrilled with the artist response and the acts coming in to perform.  You can find out more  at Savoy Supper Club   It's on trial for just 6 months on the 2nd Wednesday of each month and I'll review it at the end of the trial.
• I've just formed a chorus group to give new singers an opportunity to build their skills and showcase their talent at some upcoming concerts.  Their first performance will be at the SOUP! concert in August.
• I'm beavering away on the 5th Folk in Broke music festival and the program is shaping up beautifully.  Got lots of new faces appearing this year and some great activities lined up to fit the theme.  You can read more about this on the blog at http://folkinbroke.wordpress.com     
• The annual SOUP! Concert will be a hoot this year ...I'm really excited by the range of performers joining us at this one....expect surprises as always!! {more at  www.royalexchangenewcastle.com.au }
• And finally, the other major project {not enough room to fit in all the minor ones!} is a fundraiser for Heart Magazine and will be a Women Upfront Concert on 24th September.  Again, the lineup of women performers is wonderful.....musicians, dancers, storytellers, poets, songwriters, singers.  Wow, there's so much talent around.

and ON REFLECTION:

• The older I get the more surprised I am by the quirks of human nature.  And I'm grateful everyday for the energy and the enthusiasm which drives me forward. 
• why are there more 'devils advocate/s' around than there are enthusiastic people willing to celebrate the journey more than the results?  Some people immediately put their hand up and say Good Idea - can I play too?!  While others want to give you at least 10 reasons why what you're proposing won't work - you're wasting your time.   Such negativity is soooooo hard work!!  Life is SO much more enjoyable when you meet it with positivity and enthusiasm.  
• I've long divided the music industry into Street Musicians and Elite Musicians  {and if you're a muso you'll understand the difference} .... but there are some interesting facets of the industry that falls into both or neither categories;   all musicians complain there's not enough work, not enough good quality venue's, not enough recognition and value for the skills and the contribution of musicians;  most musicians complain because audiences won't come out and support their shows.  Yet the number of musicians who simply can't be bothered supporting other musicians is staggering.  "what's wrong with this picture?!?!?!"
• I've come to the conclusion that musicians generally are driven by either:  money;  ego; or passion.   In my experience - 1. independent musicians are the most passionate - they're ALL about the music, the money comes second  2, there is no direct correlation between talent and ego!  3. the majority of musicians I've ever met are the most generous, compassionate, and caring individuals you could wish to meet  {there are exceptions to this rule!!!#!!%!*!!!!}
• I've come to the realisation that the Industry 1. doesn't care about the music or musicians  2 does care about how much money they can make and how far they can exploit musicians  3 has absolutely no comprehension of the role musicians and music play in community and society well-being  4 has absolutely no understanding of the hours and years of work and study a musician puts in to develop their craft   5 truly believes that a musician should be grateful for the privilege of entertaining their paying patrons in return for a meal  [!?#  and who pays the musicians rent, fuel, heating, et al?!??]

That's it......BIG BLOG!!......and now - - - back to the music room!

Celebrate and Appreciate the Music of life

Have you ever wondered what life would be like without music? Or musicians?

You know, there are many disciplines which are essential to maintain our lives ....medicine, education, farming, et al. Vital Disciplines that take care of our Body and our Mind. But life -living - is MORE than just body and mind. Let's not forget that nourishment of our Spiritual essence is just as important.

In almost every significant moment of our life, there is music. We celebrate with music, we mourn with music, we get married with music and when we need solo time and space we comfort ourselves with music.

When we feel sad, we console ourselves with music. When we need motivation, we put on powerful, energetic music. When we make love, we use music to set the mood. At football matches, the music prepares us for the match. In every possible life situation, music speaks to our very soul. It uplifts, inspires, comforts, cheers, supports, and soothes us.

Music crosses all boundaries - generations, cultures, demographics, societies, gender, geographics. It is the universal language that speaks to the inner being of each and every one of us on this earth. It has the power to move all races - it has the power to change a society ....yet the gentleness to settle a disturbed infant.

Why then do we take it so much for granted?
Why then do we so often treat the musicians who make it - and those who create it - with such little regard?

Take a little time today to observe the music around you .....and to appreciate those who gave it to you.