Blue Mountains News

Penrith Conservatorium invites emerging artists to audition for Street Notes; a mentorship and performance program that aims to define the relevance of classical music in our community. Eight mentorship places are open to all instrumentalists, singers, composers, songwriters, music tech creators and performers of classical music and/or with contemporary crossover-fusion.

Street Notes will offer eight musicians aged 18 – 26 years old a mentoring experience and workshop residency within Penrith Conservatorium at The Joan in late October to early November. Working with their mentors, project peers and Artistic Director, they will develop and devise their collaborative performances, while receiving feedback, guidance and support.

Upon completion of successful workshop sessions, all mentees will be involved in the performance of their works across a series of pop-up classical musical performances in the streetscapes of Penrith and St Marys. The laneways, arcades and back streets of the Penrith CBD will become landscapes for classical repertoire, creating a live music experience that can’t be replicated in the Concert Hall.

Overseen by the Artistic Director, the performances will be curated to respond to the acoustic qualities, sense of place and stories of the chosen city locations. A designer will assist with embedding a theatrical element into each setting.

Project participants (mentees) will receive a $500 stipend. An ABN is required for payment.

Street Notes will be documented on film, with participants capturing their creative journey through interviews, video diaries and capturing key moments as they refine their work. The final film will be screened on The Joan’s in-house AV wall and online through websites and social channels.

Important Dates

Mentoring Session 1: Initial group meeting and discussion: Wed 7^th October, 12-2pm

Mentoring session 2: 26-30 October (1 x 2hr workshop at an agreed time)

Mentoring session 3: 9-13 November (1 x 2hr workshop at an agreed time)

Location: The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Penrith.

N.B. Should COVID restrictions still be in place during this time, these workshops will be conducted online

Performance Series

Attendance for mentees is compulsory for this part of the project.

Performance delivery #1 - Penrith: Sat, 21 November, 2020

Performance delivery #2 – St Mary’s: Sat, 28 November 2020

N.B Concerts may be postponed depending on the latest COVID-restrictions and health orders.

How to Apply

Auditions:

Due to COVID restrictions, all auditions will be held via video audition.

Interested participants will need to submit:

• CV that includes 150 word bio
• Link to soundcloud, dropbox link or digital portfolio of at least 2 contrasting works; composition or performance.

Submission deadline: Friday 18 September, 2020

Any questions please email

Produced by Penrith City Council and Penrith Performing and Visual Arts through Penrith Conservatorium.