Melbourne Jazz Fringe Festival

[shaggaz]

I can understand some people's disgust at the funding given to orchestras, but I think we should be careful here... it is great that we have so many orchestras... it means we have a lot of musicians about the placee...I think if there were less orchestras and less funding there would be less funding for jazz... does that make sense?

By the way, I went and heard Verdi's requiem the other night and it was absolutely amazing. I don't care if it's a couple of hundred years old. Sure I'd like to see the MSO take a few more risks with programming, but listening to that piece on a reckid just ain't the same as hearing it played live by an orchestra, 270 piece choir and 4 soloists...

[isaacs]

Go shaggaz.

An orchestra and choir in every city is not enough. One in every street would be better.

[gator]

Yep - totally agree Mark - orchestras back on the street with everyone else..

[isaacs]

Good one G

[ironguts]

I get your point Shaggaz but the issue is the balance of funding, then if there were less orchestras improvised music could still get more.
Yes it's great when the programing is interesting but the majority of it isn't. The MSO does so much total shit, Meatloaf, Kiss etc as well as just plain lame crap. Brett Dean curates some good stuff in his series, it's great to see money going to commissioning new work. Last I heard the MSO was about a Million in the Black too, maybe they should give the money back when they do well commercially?
We could also have a look at the money that goes to sport, ouch. Not saying it shouldn't, just that there is heaps there.
I guess the thing with classical is that groups like orchestras do exist and give security and opportunity to the musicians, this is not so in Jazz. Maybe there needs to be more group style funding not just individual. The AAO has done ok but no one gets even quarter of a wage from it. Imagine if there was a few grants for say $200 grand where a small group could get a 2 year wage to develop, kind of like a fellowship for a group. They could still do gigs to generate more income but there would be a base for serious work to be done as a group. This would develop individuals and the scene heaps. It wont happen but it's a nice thought.
I shouldn't complain too much but I'm actually in a position for once in my life where I really appreciate the difference this funding money can make and the opportunities it can afford, there are many artists that should get this assistance so they can develop themselves AND the scene they're in.

[gator]

Its not just the orchestral programming - its the attitude towards the music although(and my memory isnt serving me well enough to remember every instance), the MSO seems to 'fire up' a bit more with works like the Requiem - my god its one of my faves...But imagine if the present situation existed in the 18th and 19th century? Would his Requiem have been composed when so much of the local orchestra's program was subsumed by Rennaissance and baroque music or what ever constituted historical music then? - The reason why works like that were created was because the music scene thrived around new music.. improvisaton was still hanging in there as a principle of music pedagogy and the precursor of the modern symphony orchestra was still a fresh concept. There was a time when all of these works were new and indicative of a time when new works were actively pursued by the church,monarchy and the community at large.We still have the diversity but not nearly as much support for new music... I still think a cultural shift is necessary to stimulate interest in new ventures..

[gator]

Oh and great news...The VCA music dept is spending some of its enormous budget on some bassethorns....striking another blow for progress.:0

[timothystevens]

Now there's a game with no winner.

apps.facebook.com/gettingupsetabouttheVCA

Funny though, you can play forever.

[gator]

I'm beyond getting upset about the college....

but it may have served to add to the general tenor of the thread...dont you think?

or is that base.?

[ironguts]

is a Basset horn like a Basset Hound? Sounds like a dog of a thing.

[timothystevens]

Who are you, and what have you done with Guts?

[gator]

ironguts said:

is a Basset horn like a Basset Hound? Sounds like a dog of a thing.

Dunno-but I've heard its a bitch to play one...

[ironguts]

Ah Wikepedia! I looked up that stupid horn, it's not a horn, it's a saxophone! What a waste of space, I'd rather a hound. How much did they waste on that shit gator? Must be 20 to 25 bucks each? That's about the VCA budget gone for the year.

[ironguts]

Hey timothystevens, that link didn't work, fucking fix it.

[ironguts]

NOW!