NEWS – AUGUST 2020
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
Now in the second half of a challenging year we are ever mindful that people may be doing it tough. Don’t forget our recently released concept EP – We Will Rise, all about healing and reflecting on these difficult times. Music has the intrinsic and inclusive power to relax and heal. TOPOLOGY are a resilient creative organisation that maintain an optimism and dynamism with everything they deliver and it is truly rewarding to Chair this vibrant organisation. In the past weeks TOPOLOGY has held two international guitar composition workshops, Musica Viva in Schools Taking Shape performances both live where possible and online where not. The award-winning TOP UP education program has continued with John Babbage and Matthew Wild travelling to the South Burnett in July for a series of composition and ukulele workshops and Grant Collins drumming workshops in Deception Bay. Read on for further TOP UP opportunities coming up in Brisbane central and the Redlands. Don’t miss these great music education opportunities.
I take this opportunity to congratulate Principal Artists John Babbage and Bernard Hoey for becoming Associate members of the Australian Music Centre. John had this to say about the membership, “Often one of the first ports of call for Australian and overseas ensembles and arts organisations looking for new works and commissions, being granted Associate Representation with the Australian Music Centre offers myself and other composers a great opportunity, and a valuable resource to share our art with the world.” You can read more on this here.
We would also like to ask for your help. We are in the process of compiling audience feedback and testimonials which will assist us greatly with funding applications. We would love to hear from you. If you would like to participate, please email your comment/ feedback to our Media Manager, Maxine Williamson at: maxine@topologymusic.com.
Stay safe and well whilst you enjoy this spectacular end of Winter weather.
Justin Marschke
Chair, TOPOLOGY
TOP UP ONLINE WORKSHOPS
Next up in Top Up Online is a series of composition workshops with celebrated Australian composers Robert Davidson and Thomas Green as they talk about all-things-melody. Thomas Green will show what you may not have noticed before (shapes and patterns in melodies) which will help you to consciously build your own. Dr Robert Davidson will share his process in the art of speech melody, in which he creates expanded musical works derived from human speech. An example is his YouTube famous Misogyny Speech by Julia Gillard.
SAT-SUN 5-6 SEPTEMBER
10:00-11:30am AEST
DAY 1: Melody with THOMAS GREEN
DAY 2: Speech Melody with DR ROBERT DAVIDSON
$15 for access to both sessions. Bookings essential.
ANNOUNCING BRISBANE CREATIVE BOOTCAMP
Now in its 4th year, Creative Bootcamp is an intensive 5-day program offering emerging composers the rare opportunity to unleash their creative potential through inspiring, integrated and industry relevant training. Through hands-on group workshops and one-on-one tutorials with Topology’s pool of published composers and virtuoso musicians, each participant will be guided through the process of composing and recording a new original work in 5 days. The program culminates in a recording of all participants’ works created throughout the week. DATES: 30 SEP – 4 OCT 2020
LOCATIONS: Online and St Peters Lutheran College – Indooroopilly, QLD 4068 Limited spaces. Register now to secure your spot!
TOPOLOGY & FRIENDS REDLANDS: EOI OPEN NOW
Following the success of last year’s event, TOPOLOGY, in partnership with the Redlands Performing Arts Centre, are planning to present Topology & Friends again in 2020. Scheduled to be held at RPAC on Sunday 8 November this showcase event will celebrate the breadth and diversity of the Arts in the Redlands area.
We are calling for expressions of interest from local artists and community arts groups/organisations, across all art forms, who would like to showcase their work as part of this event.
If you are based in the Redlands area and would like to be involved in this project, or would like to receive further information, please contact us by emailing kate@topologymusic.com.
LAUNCHPAD NEWS
TOPOLOGY loves to keep in touch with our previous Launchpad composition participants and share in their good news. Launchpad is a composer scholarship program which mentors emerging composers within the first five years of their professional careers. The scholarship offers one-on-one mentoring and professional development delivered by Topology’s artists and company staff. The goal of Launchpad is to cultivate creative potential and serve as a springboard from which mentees can launch their careers as musicians, composers and songwriters. Here is a great Limelight article on Isy Lauf (2018 Launchpad participant) and that famous Brisbane Blue Heeler.
NEW ALBUM OUT NOW!
WE WILL RISE is a 10-track concept album, specially curated from our 23-year original repertoire, reflecting on contemporary concerns. From natural disasters, global outbreaks, economic instability, human rights violations – this year has been especially challenging for humankind. We hope this music can provide much needed inspiration, support, empowerment and healing.
