Simply Music

As a visual artist, Luke Jerram might appear to be an unlikely candidate for a discussion about music, but it turns out music and sound are favourite media for many of his sculpture projects and art installations.  His work Aeolus is a striking blend of visual beauty and eerie wind-driven drones, and his Sky Orchestra is an amazing touring event which supplies music to sleeping citizens from flotillas of hot-air balloons.  But we were especially interested to talk with him about Play Me, I’m Yours, his project bringing pianos en masse to public locations – street corners, parks, train stations, galleries and more – in selected cities around the world, allowing anyone to play and enjoy.  In this interview he shares stories with Leanne van Heerwaarden about the way this project has reached millions of people and changed lives.

His next Play Me, I’m Yours events are in Munich (May), Cleveland (July), Omaha (August) and Boston (September).  You can also learn more about Luke and some of his other works at his website.

“Music is the only language that has no barriers”.  Singer-songwriter, two-time Golden Guitar winner and music educator Lyn Bowtell is passionate about sharing music.  Here she talks with Gretta Dunn about her career, the joy of performing, and her work with the wonderful Songroom program in schools with kids who otherwise may never have experienced playing music.

Hear Gretta speak with Lyn

View the music video for “Sing Along”

Visit The Song Room

Patricia Bartell is a pioneer in the study of classical accordion, international championship winner and judge, and now co-developer with Neil Moore of the brand new Hohner-certified Simply Music Accordion program.  Here she talks with Neil about her multi-instrumental background, how she stumbled on Simply Music and the resurgence of the versatile accordion.

Hear Neil speak with Patricia

“I love…when people think something is ‘impossible’, to break that down and think ‘I’m possible’…”

Jonathon Welch is an Australian institution in multiple music-related fields, and a truly inspiring individual.  As a tenor, he has had over 60 stage roles including Principal Tenor in just about every major production in Australia from Aida to The Gondoliers, singing opposite the likes of Dame Joan Sutherland.

On another plane, he has been the founder and leader of many of Australia’s best-known community choirs, work which has led to multiple awards right up to an Order of Australia and the Australian of the Year Local Hero award in 2008.  He is a respected educator and adjudicator in various areas of vocal music and travels around the country and internationally as a supporter and conductor of choirs and choral music, and a sought-after motivational speaker.

Jonathon is perhaps most famous as the Founding Music Director for the Choir of Hard Knocks, designed to support physically, mentally or socially disadvantaged people, and has led them through hard work and hope to perform at sellout concerts at the Sydney Opera House and other major venues.  This wonderful story was the subject of a hugely popular and award-winning television documentary and earned the choir a Platinum ARIA for their first CD From the Heart.

In typical style, Jonathon has used his experience with the choir, now known as the Choir of Hope and Inspiration, to launch into an exciting new venture, the School of Hard Knocks, which develops his vision into an institution teaching music, singing, drama, writing, visual arts and other creative fields, focusing on those disadvantaged people who can most benefit from and most deserve creative expression.  Our own Kerry Verdon has been voluntarily teaching Simply Music keyboard lessons as part of this program.  You can hear her part of the story in our Teacher of the Month feature.

The interview is an inspiring look into what drew Jonathon into a life in music, how music and singing have given him hope and strength to take leaps of faith, why he’s driven to “give something back” to those people who are so often put in the too-hard basket, and why he is known as the “Town Crier”.

Listen to Gordon Harvey speak with Jonathon Welch

Lynn Kleiner has been teaching since 1978. As developer of her own programs based on the Orff philosophy, she has started countless children on their musical journeys, as well as presenting her work internationally and creating a collection of award-winning educational materials.  Here she speaks with Robin Keehn on the joys of teaching the very young and the work she has done creating the new Simply Music Rhapsody program.

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from Gordon Harvey

A sad marker of Afghanistan’s tragic history is that for decades music has been suppressed and even, until recently, almost completely banned. But then, after the overthrow of the Taliban, Melbourne-based music professor Dr Ahmad Sarmast braved combat zone conditions to return to his native country to found its first new music school in 30 years.  Struggling with no instruments, no curriculum, and a dilapidated campus, Dr Sarmast built his vision into a thriving institution making a real contribution, and brought along some of Kabul’s most disadvantaged children. This inspiring story has been beautifully documented in the film ‘Dr Sarmast’s Music School’. Gordon Harvey spoke to its writer/director Polly Watkins about the struggles and triumphs of reinventing a music culture in a land where it can contribute so much.

You can purchase copies of the documentary, and also pick up a free  ATOM study guide, at EnhanceTV 

You can also Like the film on Facebook to receive regular updates

View the trailer                        ANIM website

Stream the interview here, listen or download using the player below.

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From Gretta Dunn

Among many other things, Bill Page, Creative Manager at Mushroom Music Publishing, is currently working on pitching songs to The Voice Australia.  In this colourful 40-minute chat with songwriter and Simply Music staff member Gretta Dunn, Bill shows the straight-talking and generous style that has earned him great respect in the Australian music industry.  What shines through is his enthusiasm for an innovative new song or a fresh-sounding new singer.  Along the way Bill provides his thoughts about the music business and some great practical advice for people considering the tough road of a career in music.  Plus, he includes some candid advice for Gretta about her bagpipe career.

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By Scott Jones

We’re thrilled to have launched Play-a-Story. A brand new piano and keyboard program for 4-6 year-olds that introduces them to the joy of musical storytelling.  The exuberant and passionate creator of this program is Lyndel Kennedy.  In this casual chat with Scott Jones she talks about the value of improvisation as the first taste of playing music.  Her love of working with kids and passion for music are infectious.

Talk Music Music Interview with Lyndel Kennedy

Find out more about Play-a-Story

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From Gordon Harvey

Dr Katrina McFerran is a music therapist, researcher and a senior lecturer at the University of Melbourne.  Author of many works including Adolescents, Music and Music Therapy, she has a special interest in reaching adolescents through music, but she has wide experience of many aspects of music therapy.  We spoke to her about this under-appreciated field, where much wonderful work is done using music’s unique ability to help us connect with the world.

Use the player below to listen to the interview.

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