General Manager’s Summer School Report
What a start to the year!
For the past two weeks, almost 1000 students have started their musical year off with an invaluable experience.
Activities & ensembles offered as part of Melbourne Youth Music’s 36th annual Summer School, both in the Prelude Program & the Main Program, have been the source of inspiration for many young musicians as they prepare to start back at school, university or college.
With almost 90 different activities & program to select from, & with a team of more than 130 facilitators, conductors, managers, clinicians, tutors & teachers, the musical, educational & social experience enjoyed by almost 1000 young people over the past two weeks has been invaluable. Many of our staff members are former Summer School participants themselves who are keen to continue the evolution of this unique event.
In addition to local Melburnians, we welcome clinicians from interstate [Russell Hammond {NSW} & Stephen Chin {QLD}] as well as from overseas – Jerry Nowak [USA], James Keene [USA] & Mark Foster [France]. Jerry has been visiting our annual Summer Schools since 1985. James has returned on several occasions. Mark, a renowned conductor & soloist throughout Europe, is a former member of the Melbourne Youth Orchestra [1970s], one of MYM’s Saturday Music ensembles.
Summer School is very much a team effort, from the teaching & administrative staff, to the catering managers, truck loaders, percussion shifters & yard duty volunteers. Thank you to everyone for your valuable contributions to the success of the Summer School, showcased here today.
While I thank everyone involved in the success of the Summer School, I wish to pay special tribute to the members of the Hamer Quartet – Cameron Hill, Rebecca Chan, Stephanie Farrands & Michael Dahlenberg. As our 2008 Artists in Residence, these emerging young professionals are a valuable source of inspiration to the young people they have mentored & tutored.
I congratulate the MYM assistant General Manager, Tim Kelly, for the work he has done in preparation of this 36th annual Summer School. Tim has been bold & creative with some of the programs while continuing to consolidate the successful activities which have remained as the corner stone of music camps & summer schools throughout the world.
Finally, congratulations to you, the participants of the 36th annual Summer School. The performances audience members will enjoy throughout the afternoon & evening represent some of the senior & intermediate programs offered. The junior groups held a concert yesterday afternoon in Iwaki Auditorium. The performance standards reached with only 5 days of rehearsal are truly astounding & are a tribute to the dedication of the staff, the support as parents & the amazing talent of our young musicians.
Jan Constable
GENERAL MANAGER |
