NEWS – FEBRUARY 2021
A letter from our Co-Artistic Director – John Babbage
Well, how did we end up in March already? We have been very busy creating and collaborating all around Queensland.
With our Creative Showcase in Longreach coming up, I have been out west in Winton and Longreach conducting workshops with the performing students. It was great to see some familiar faces returning to hone their performance skills on pieces that were composed in 2020. Postponed because of “you know what”, we are excited to finally be performing the student’s original compositions. Heather Hale (Longreach Arts & Cultural Association) has been kind enough to lend her beautiful 1921 building for the weekend and once again, the Central West Music Makers are joining us and our good friend Matt Strong is happily lending his drum kit.
I have also been creating new music with students at the other end of Queensland in the Scenic Rim. I received a very warm welcome from the students at Beaudesert SHS, Tamborine Mountain College and Canungra SS for workshops earlier in February. Showcasing three brand new compositions from the three schools, over 60 young musicians will take to the stage with Topology at the Boonah Entertainment Centre with a performance of We Will Rise on 26 March (more info here).
The rest of the Topology team have been hard at work with Top Up Education [now known as the Topology Creative Academy], Publishing and more. I am also very excited to be working with Simon Cleary, Author of The War Artist on a multimedia work which will feature the fabulous Pearly Black and animator Bruce Currie.Thank you again to everyone who has supported Topology and continues to be our inspiration to create and collaborate to ensure everyone has access to quality, affordable arts based education and experiences.If you want to keep up with events and what we are up to please like our Facebook page.
Until next time,
John Babbage
2 WEEKS LEFT TO APPLY – Launchpad Mentorship Program
If you are an emerging composer from QLD or NT who is ready to level up in the industry this program is for you.
Launchpad is a scholarship program offering creative mentorship and professional development to up to 4 emerging composers and songwriters each year. Successful applicants receive 12 months of one-on-one guidance with reputable artists and industry professionals, the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with Topology, plus the chance to have their music featured in a live performance with Topology.
Over the course of one year, each mentee is supported in the achievement of self-nominated creative goals (eg: complete an EP recording, compose a new orchestral work, etc) and paired with mentors who are best suited to provide guidance. Previous mentors include Cameron Patrick (film scoring), Isabella Gerometta (composing for voice), Skinnyfish Music (music production), and of course Topology’s composers John Babbage and Robert Davidson.
If this sounds like you or one of your students follow the link to start an application today!
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 14 MARCH
CREATIVE SHOWCASE WITH TOPOLOGY (Central West QLD)
Saturday 20 March 2021 – 6:30pm
Longreach Arts & Crafts Centre
This Creative Showcase with Topology is a combination of film and live performance featuring emerging, young artists from Central Western Queensland. Performing alongside three of Topology’s expert artists: John Babbage (Saxophone), Grant Collins (Drums) & Mark Connors (Piano), these local musicians will present world premiere performances of original music they have written over the last year with John Babbage, as part of Topology’s Top Up Program. We invite all to come and experience this celebration of the vibrant arts community in the Central West.
Tickets are FREE for this performance however registration is required via the link below.
