Noosa Federation Of The Arts

Susan Beaver, Chairman, Dame Joan Sutherland Award, reports that:... Anna Whitehead, an unsuccessful past finalist has improved out of sight. and is applying again this year..

Last year she won the McDonald's Sun Aria ($25,000) plus a recording contract, beating Russell Harcourt, our last DJS winner.

Laurence Meikle runner up in the last DJS Award, is studying at the Royal Academy of Music, London, and landed a scholarship to study with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.

Russell is at RAM with Laurence. He says he coaches regularly with Jonathan Papp who is very close with Kiri. But he has been told that, as a counter-tenor he would not be accepted in Kiri Te Kanawa's course. He says "it is not her area of specialisation nor any of her colleagues she brings in to work with the singers. Disappointing I know".

Russell is to sing "Messiah" in St Martins-in-the-field with the London Brandenburg Sinfonia conducted by Jeremy Jackman. He said it was his first, and was very much looking forward to it.

Sebastien & Sayo Lipman enchanted us with their harp concert at The Ebb Bar, Noosa Blue Resort, Saturday March 13.

Even though the weather was most inclement, sixty intrepid souls ventured forth to hear this magic duo, and to enjoy the convivial atmosphere always provided by Noosa Blue.

This was our first fund-raiser of the year for the Dame Joan Award 2010.

Be warned-there will be more!

SIB Chairman, Iain MacLean has been busy supervising the placement of the instruments held by the SIB.

This year two of the three cellos have been placed with Immanuel Yr 12 students, and one with Miriam Piechocinski, daughter of Adam Piechocinski, conductor of the Sunshine Coast Orchestra. The Hoffman flute is also with a Yr 12 student at Immanuel.

The Davidoff-Strad violin has been awarded to Anna Mine from Buderim, a student of Adam Piechocinski.

Can you help? We are in need of more worthwhile instruments for talented students. You might have a friend who has "hung up her/his violin, cello, bass" for the duration and would be pleased to know that a young student is gaining the experience of playing an above-standard instrument.

Quite often it is the quality of the instrument which makes the difference between winning or losing a competition.

Contact the Schools Instrument Bank.

We are fortunate to have Lisa Gasteen, our guest judge for the 2008 Award, take the place of the late Margreta (Greta) Elkins on our judging panel.

As reported in 2008, with the blessing of Dame Joan, it was decided to make this a biennial event.

Since then, Susan Beaver, Chairman of the DJS Awards, and her diligent team have dispatched posters and entry forms to every conservatorium in Australia, as well as significant singing teachers throughout the land.

The event will also be added to websites on the 'net representing scholarships and awards.

The Queensland Symphony Orchestra recently held their annual Young Musician of the Year Competition.

Lilly Camden, Chairman of the Anthony Camden Fund, reports that the recipient for the Primavera violin is Sally Law, who played so well, but in dire need of a better violin (she didn't win). She is a year 10 student at the Somerville house.

Lilly said, "I liked her playing very much and you will like her too, a nice girl and a very promising young violinist. Should get her to play in Noosa, she will melt everyone's heart".

Contact the Anthony Camden Fund.