THE ONLY WEB PORTRAYAL OF A NATION'S ENTIRE MUSICAL LIFE - DESCRIPTIONS, NUMBERS, ISSUES, FUTURES

    Rainbow Serpent Festival - January 2013
    By Asher Floyd (Creative Commons)


    Credit: Simon Whitaker (Creative Commons)

    ABOUT 'MUSIC IN AUSTRALIA'

    The Music in Australia Knowledge Base provides the world with a source of information about musical practice in Australia and/or by Australians that can assist in its further development and lift its status in Australian life and culture, and in the world at large.

    The Knowledge Base describes the situation of music in Australia. So, for instance, it could describe the situation of music in schools – what is provided, the competence of the teaching, government attitudes and so on, but would be much less likely to dwell on intricacies of pedagogy or syllabus.

    It covers the entire music sector including the role of music in human development and society, music’s creation and practice, the music sector and its components, government policies, regulation, support, the international context. It covers facts, issues of contention, statistics, research.

    The Music in Australia Knowledge Base is produced and published by the Music Trust. The Trust’s slogan: The Music Trust works with energy, imagination and authority for music in Australia.

    New ADDITIONS TO MUSIC IN AUSTRALIA

    Links Between the Neurobiology of Oxytocin and Human Musicality

    Alan Harvey
    Many characteristics of the biology of the hormone oxytocin mirror the diverse effects that music has on human cognition and emotion, providing a link to the important role music has played throughout human evolutionary history and helping to explain why music remains a special prosocial human asset.
    24 November 2020

    At moments like these, we need a cultural policy

    Julian Meyrick, Julianne Schultz and Justin O'Connor
    Despite the cultural sector's especially perilous situation in the COVID emergency, the Commonwealth Government has shown little interest or concern. A national cultural policy is urgently needed.
    21 November 2020

    INSIDE THE MUSICIAN. Cheetham, Deborah: One Day in January, Finding Dutala

    Deborah Cheetham
    Pioneer of participation of Australian Indigenous people in performance of classical music describes circumstances and initiatives.
    21 November 2020

    Kids who learn clause chain languages are quicker to develop complex sentences

    Hannah Sarvasy
    The structure of some languages advantages learning. Are there parallels in music?
    21 November 2020

    Lost Operas of Oz

    Stuart Maunder
    State Opera of South Australia has committed to the second or subsequent production of operas from the 20C by Australian composers.
    21 November 2020

    INSIDE THE MUSICIAN. Perica, Vanessa: Freeing the Voice Within

    Vanessa Perica
    Vanessa Perica has come to public attention with the release of a recording of her compositions by a superb jazz big band. This article describes her view of her musical world.
    21 November 2020
    SUBSCRIBE FREE

    Loudmouth is the free monthly online magazine of the Music Trust. It reports current developments, discusses matters of policy, politics and cultural development. Its music education section covers issues ranging from early childhood to career development, community music and educational research. Its excellent reviews are written mostly by musicians, and include important recordings and books not reviewed elsewhere.

    THIS MONTH ON LOUDMOUTH

    THE GROWING EDGE

    Reports on what 27 other government are doing for their artists. Makes Australian government look perverse. Survey: Australians want government lifeline for creatives. / INSIDE THE MUSICIAN: famous opera singer Peter Coleman-Wright and virtuoso international flautist  Lina Andonovska / Carriageworks and HOTA: what two arts centres are facing during COVID. / Literary magazines are essential for new authors – but they are being killed by funding cuts / ABC and NLA commissioning opps / Aussies win big international pop  music competitions

    MUSIC IN AUSTRALIA KNOWLEDGE BASE

    Launch of entirely restructured site.

    MUSIC EDUCATION 

    How music education stays afloat during COVID / Paavali Jumppanen a brilliant choice for Artistic Director of ANAM / NZ teachers danced in the streets when their ‘NAPLAN’ was terminated / NZ principal says students will need the arts in a changed post-coronavirus world / Defining a context for music learning / Online resources for music education

    FREEDMAN FELLOWSHIPS

    All the candidates have been nominated. But by whom? See the list. / The Classical nominees are being announced daily on the Fellowship FB site / Concerts replaced by special recording projects.

    READ LOUDMOUTH

    MUSIC AND BOOK REVIEWS

    THE BEST MUSIC REVIEWS page in Australia. Written mainly by musicians.

    LOUDMOUTH’S OCTOBER REVIEWS

    BOOKS

    A Musical Missionary – The Life and Music of Dulcie Holland Rita Crews and Jeanell Carrigan

    RECORDINGS

    CLASSICAL

    Thomas Meadowcroft. Speak Percussion / Siegfried’s Story.  A Musical Journey through Wagner’s ‘Ring of the Nibelungs’. Arranged for horn, tuba and piano. Bonza Brass / Romantic Dreams. Quintets for Piano and Strings by Louise Farrenc and Camille Saint-Saëns. Ironwood / Greta. Piano Sonata #5: Concerto in No Need of an Orchestra. Michael Kieran Harvey / Forgotten Dreams: Australian Guitar Music. Timothy Kain

    CONTEMPORARY

    No Weapon But Love. Icecream Hands

    IMPROVISATION

    By ONe of thE night. Mary Rapp, Dewhurst, Barker / Prophecy. Laurence Pike, drums/electronics

    JAZZ

    There’ll Be Some Changes Played. Tim Stevens Trio / FIKA Elysian Fields – The Scandinavian Project

    IMPROVISATION

    Interweave. Simon Barker and Scott Tinkler

    READ REVIEWS