Congratulations Burnie Stringalong Orchestra!

Every year, as part of Burnie Shines, the Burnie community are treated to a performance by the Burnie Stringalong Orchestra.

In 2020 the location for the performance was the Parklands High School Performing Arts Centre. Congratulations to all the dedicated musicians and thank you to the supporters who attended the concert.

Stringalong is a music education program which is an initiative of the Burnie Arts Council. It provides strings education in disadvantaged schools and is currently operating in three primary schools and one high school in the Burnie area.

More about the Burnie Stringalong Orchestra here.

Image: Lynne Price

Burnie Stringalong Orchestra playing at the Parklands High School Performing Arts Centre 22nd Oct 2020

So much buzz about the music for the film!

Burnie Arts Council Inc partnered with North West Support Services to make Design Eye Creative paper on skin 2020 - The Film.

One of the stand-out features of the film is the original score. Individual tracks have been created by Paul Corfiatis and Telen Rodwell. Telen is overall Music Director, responsible for matching tracks to the pieces.

More music from Paul here

More about Telen Rodwell, Producer/Director/Composer here

Aaron Hopper and Curtis Poke also worked on music development related to paper on skin. At our premiere screening Aaron, Curtis and Paul played an opening set which was a perfect lead-in to the screening.

Cinematographer and Director Nicholas Higgins is also part of the NWSS team. More about Nic’s work here

We look forward to ongoing collaborations. In the meantime, load up your playlists with tracks by these talented musicians!

Also, stay tuned for dates for Acoustic Life of Zinc. This is the 2020 version of the hugely successful Acoustic Life of Sheds, which has been a part of Ten Days on the Island for their past three iterations. The model, which sees innovative music and performance in unique and inspiring locations, has been adapted to the Nyrstar Zinc Works in Hobart. Paul, Aaron and Curtis will feature, along with graphite artist Jacob Rish. Dates to be announced.

Vale John Duncan and Tom Langston - sad news for Burnie's Arts Community

Vale:  John Duncan (1929 - 2020)

Vale:  Dr Thomas (Tom) Langston OAM (1950 - 2020)

From the time of their respective arrivals until April 2020, John (died 24 April) and Tom (died 14 April) contributed significantly  to the cultural life of North West Tasmania. Their work and interest in community music fostered, influenced and enriched the development of many musicians and singers in various genres and encouraged jazz lovers, listeners and performers alike.

We owe a great debt of gratitude to these gentlemen. They encouraged many to contribute to and fully participate in the musical life of NW Tasmania and will be remembered fondly.  To their families we offer our condolences and thanks.

Image of John holding a portrait by artist Josie Riches, commissioned by the Cradle Coast Orchestra to mark John’s 90th Birthday.

More about John here. More about Tom here.

TSO to bring masterclasses and mentoring to the NW

On Sept 16, Caroline Sharpen, CEO of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, announced that the Symphony Under the Stars would be held in Launceston in February, 2020.

In great news for the North West Coast, it was also announced that a series of masterclasses, family and school concerts, workshops and mentoring opportunities would be rolled out along the North-West Coast during 2020.

This news was warmly received by the North West music community, who had participated in consultation sessions with the TSO earlier this year. Students involved in the Stringalong schools program and the Burnie Stringalong Orchestra (initiatives of Burnie Arts Council Inc) will benefit greatly from the opportunity to learn from professional TSO musicians.

Arts Council President, and founder of the Stringalong schools program, Lynne Price, says “We’re absolutely delighted that at last the TSO management acknowledges we have lots of energy and talent up here and we deserve more support than just one concert a year in Burnie” (The Advocate, 17/9/2019)

News! TSO came to Burnie - but to listen, not play!

This is such a welcome initiative! The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra executive team were in Burnie on Wed 24th and Thursday 25th conducting (😉) workshops with the community in order to develop a strategy to grow their presence and share their skills with regional Tas. They spent time with music educators, band and orchestra leaders and an audience focus group. Contact Shaunagh on 6232 4411 for more information or follow-up input.

The Place of Art initiative - follow up

To celebrate Burnie Arts Council Inc’s 70th Birthday, on the 22nd October a forum titled The Place of Art in the Art of Place was held at the Burnie Arts and Function Centre. Guest speakers included Saul Eslake (independent economist), Professor Kate Darian-Smith (Executive Dean and Pro Vice Chancellor College of Arts, Law and Education, University of Tasmania), Lindy Hume (Artistic Director, Ten Days on the Island) and Vic McEwan (contemporary artist and Artistic Director of The Cad Factory). The forum was designed to be a provocation, the beginning of a process that will lead toward building a plan for the future direction of arts and culture in our region. Follow up consultation sessions have taken place since to hear feedback from the community. As an arts practitioner, arts administrator, or art lover residing in this area, what are your burning issues? Please email lyndalthorne@live.com.au - we are still accepting feedback. If you would like to be included on the email list send a message to lyndalthorne@live.com.au. The Place of Art in the Art of Place was generously supported by Ten Days on the Island, Burnie City Council, Burnie Regional Art Gallery and the Burnie Arts and Function Centre.

Diary Contributions Welcome

Burnie Arts Council Inc are happy to share upcoming arts events on this page. If you have an image or web-link they can also be included in the post. Send items to paperonskin@gmail.com or call Lyndal Thorne on 0438 313 045. Selected items can also be shared on our Facebook page, with the contributors permission.