Dear Colleagues,

The National Council has been very active in the last few months, by both Teleconference and by Email Round. The latter has increased our capacity to deal with matters at hand considerably as this report indicates.

The trajectory of proposal and action leads, at this time of year, towards the National AGM, particularly in a conference year.

I encourage members to read through the issues mentioned in this message and to take part in the discussion through their National Council Representatives.

Sincere thanks to Councillors for their attention to detail, lateral thinking, patience and good humour. Particular thanks to Executive members Dan Kay, Kath Connell and Inge Southcott for their splendidly pro-active work for ANATS, and to the Queensland Conference Committee for their work.

Conference 2010

If you have not been able to register for the 2010 Conference yet, please do so as soon as possible.

Presenters include distinguished internationals Stephen Austin (Keynote Speaker), Kim Chandler and prominent Australian presenters Margaret Baker-Genovesi, Irene Bartlett, Dr Jean Callaghan, Dr Diane Hughes, Daniel K Robinson, Pat Wilson and Anthony Young. Balance of style and approach is clear. There will be so much to learn and share with colleagues, and some fun as well.

Please send the e-flyer to your networks – and resend it at the time you judge best.   Book now!

Download Brochure (PDF 1.91MB)

Download Registration Form (PDF 854KB)

Australian Voice

National Council is delighted to announce that Australian Voice will be co-edited by two prominent researchers and practitioners, Dr Scott Harrison and Dr Helen Mitchell.

Scott is well known to us from his Presidency of ANATS and from his work in singing teaching and research leadership at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music   and Helen is a researcher in voice and associated disciplines at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. 

Please keep an eye on the website for Australian Voice articles as they appear and be encouraged to contribute your research and your reflections on teaching. Scott and Helen will, no doubt, communicate more later in the year.

Voice of ANATS Editorship

Our esteemed Editor Jessica O’Bryan has indicated that she will step down at the end of this year. While we will thank Jessica properly at that time, we would like to acknowledge her leadership and wonderful good humour in continuing to develop the Voice of ANATS in its online form.  

There will be a formal Call for Expressions of Interest in taking over the Editorship of Voice of ANATS   in the near future.   

If you feel you could contribute to your Association in this way, please respond to the EOI.

Perspectives on Teaching Singing: ANATS Book Launch, September 2010

A new book on the teaching of singing in Australia, edited by our own Dr Scott Harrison, and including chapters written by many of our prominent pedagogues and researchers will be launched in September at the National Conference. Please note the flyers when they appear in your inbox, and be encouraged to order a copy. The book is a joint venture between Griffith University and ANATS.

AGM Documents and Conference Bursaries

Information regarding procedures for the AGM will arrive in your inbox shortly, as will Calls for applications for Bursaries in support of your attendance at the National Conference. The AGM is a very important part of our internal discussion. There are a number of issues which will be canvassed which are important to all members: yet another reason to be at the Conference.

Masterteachers 2011: Gillyanne Kayes and Jeremy Fisher

We are pleased to announce that plans to host Gillyanne Kayes and Jeremy Fisher as our Masterteachers for 2011 are progressing. Their availability is July 2011, in co-operation with our NEWZATS colleagues. State Chapters will be invited to host these fine pedagogues in July, 2011, so that as many members as possible will be able to access their expertise.

ICVT Core Management Group and Upcoming Website

An ICVT Core Management Group has been established to deal with ongoing planning for ICVT in 2013. In addition, there will be a Consultative Committee representing all States and styles, who will contribute a wide range of information reflecting the range of expertise in Australia and internationally.  

The immediate future will see the announcement of a Conference Theme and venues, establishment of a Website, and the commencement of planning for key presenters.

Core Committee Members are:   Rowena Cowley, Daniel Kay, Kathleen Connell, Scott Harrison, Adele Nisbet, Geoffrey Ashenden, Irene Bartlett and Tracy Bourne.   This committee will liaise with Marvin Keenze, the chair of ICVT and with the NATS Secretariat in planning key aspects of the Conference.

National Council Issues

Issues dealt with by the National Council in recent months are as follows:

Membership: consultations with APC have, we believe, resulted in streamlined means of dealing with Membership issues. We are improving our procedures, and believe that next year’s process will be increasingly smooth.

Teacher Listing forms: Council has noted the need for guidelines on Teaching Listing formats, and will post these on the web in the near future.

Insurance: Treasurer Kathleen Connell and her working group have been active in sourcing information about Public Liability Insurance and workers’ compensation.  

Minimum Fees for Tuition: Council has discussed whether to recommend a minimum fee for tuition.

Bookseller: ANATS Bookseller Jennifer Mueller has a number of books available which will definitely enhance your professional library. Please contact Jennifer with your enquiries.

Advertising Policy and Rates: The working party has made a comparative study of advertising rates and has made recommendations to be accessed on the website. Please be encouraged to read and digest.   Thanks particularly to Dan Kay for these.

Accreditation: Please see the article in the July edition of Voice of ANATS, which continues a discussion about this issue for our organization.

Many thanks for your attention, and again to all those who have contributed to discussion and action on these issues. I look forward to lively discussions at the Conference and at the AGM on these and other matters.

Warm regards,

Rowena

May 2010 Message

Dear Colleagues,

ANATS National Conference, Brisbane, 30 September-3 October 2010

It is a pleasure to announce that registration is now open for the 2010 National Conference.

The program is looking great, with excellent international and national presenters, a wide range of styles and interest areas and the latest research. Of course, perhaps the most important aspect of our conferences is the collegial aspect. Now is the time to begin speaking with colleagues and with students about attending. Click on the Conference Banner at the top of this page to see regular updates on the program.

Registration is now open. Go to the Conference page for full details. 

It’s important to note that the AGM in conference years is an opportunity for a face-to-face meeting for members and national council.

Please read the next section to see where your interests and concerns can be addressed in the next few months, and reported to you, the members of ANATS.

National Council Report, March-April, 2010

Teleconferences and Email Rounds

National Council has had two Teleconferences this year, each with long agendas, and some very interesting issues.

We have also instigated a ‘meeting’ by Email Round, which will be held in the first week of selected months between Teleconferences.

The Email Round allows us to deal with issues in a considered way, and allows each councilor to propose or report on an issue, and for all colleagues to comment by email. I hope this will allow greater Chapter representation.

Members are encouraged to bring issues to their Chapter representatives for National Council discussion.

The next email round will be held in the first week of June. Please nominate concerns by the final week of May.

Work Groups

As a means of sharing workloads, we have instigated work groups for a number of issues. Please be encouraged to bring your points of view to your Chapter Representatives or directly to these groups. They are:

Work Group Progress Reports

A considerable amount of work has already been undertaken for each of these groups. I will report on progress after the next Email Round in the first week of June, on the website and in the next issue of Voice of ANATS.

Regards

Dr Rowena Cowley
ANATS National President

As always, I invite you to share your ideas about ANATS with us.

You might choose to do this

• through your Chapter representatives,
• online via the ANATS Forums or
• by email to president@anats.org.au

February 2010 Message

Dear Colleagues,

Thank you to members who have renewed for 2010.

Please encourage your colleagues to renew as soon as possible.

Adele Nisbet

This message marks the completion of Adele Nisbet’s role in founding and editing ANATS flagship journal, Australian Voice.

Adele’s work is honoured below: please read on.

As a next step, we ask for Expressions of Interest from scholars who are interested in taking the journal into the next phase of its development. Please alert anyone who you think may be interested in this role.

A Major Achievement

The National Council and membership of ANATS would like to thank Adele Nisbet for her distinguished service to the Association as Founding Editor of Australian Voice.

In 1995, Adele and her editorial team of Australian and international colleagues began publishing the journal. The brief was to provide a vehicle for practitioners and researchers in all relevant fields to publish and disseminate articles on all topics relevant to voice – voice science, vocal health and therapeutic practice, performance practice and style, music literature and repertoire, vocal pedagogy.

Over the years the topics have been wide ranging – Pedagogical Application of the Two-Register System; The Songs of Chausson; Pilates Training and the Actor/Singer; Operetta: The Unsung Hero/ine; Primal Singing; Vocology and the Selection of Choral Repertoire.

It has published articles by a similar wide-ranging representation of the national and international voice community – Dr Stephen Austin, Dr Jean Callaghan, Dr Peter Low. Janice Chapman, Dr Pamela Davis, Gregory Yurisich, Loris Synan, Susan Falk, Sally Collyer, John Lander, John Rubin, Patricia Howes, Emily Romney, Pat Wilson, Dr Teresa Radomski, Dr Scott Harrison and the list goes on.

A highlight of each journal has been the conversation with a Master Teacher/Master Performer and Katherine Verdolini, Graham Pushee and Oren Brown come to mind. The regular reviews of relevant texts and resources have always been informative and useful.

It has been both a peer-reviewed and a members' journal. It was and is a very valuable source of information.

Having recently been transferred to a Web format, Australian Voice has taken a giant step into the digital age, ensuring that Australian research and pedagogy reaches both our members and our colleagues across the world.

It is easy to imagine how much work it has taken to initiate and grow Australian Voice, especially in the midst of a very busy workload at the Queensland Conservatorium. We thank you and honour you, Adele, for the contribution you have made.

Warm Regards,

Rowena

January 2010 Message

2010 and Beyond

Happy New Teaching Year!

We value each and every member, and remind you respectfully that membership renewals are due right now. We also remind you that submissions for Voice of ANATS are due by the end of January. Please make editor Jessica (and your colleagues) smile by writing some reflections on the year ahead or expressing your concerns or hopes. Be brave!

Singing Teachers and the Arts in Australia

Without engaging in discussion about what year is the beginning of or end of a decade, let’s call 2010 a beginning and think for a moment about what and why we do what we do.

ANATS members are performers and teachers of performers, researchers and associated colleagues who can and do play key roles in the arts. What does that mean? Perhaps the following will stimulate your thoughts.

Ten years ago, Australians and the Arts: A Report to the Australia Council: Overview (Saatchi and Saatchi, 2000) provided evidence of some key points of relevance to all of us (ANATS members, our students and our potential students).

Of the key findings, we could note the following:

• Participation: ‘People who feel most positive about the arts are also most likely to directly participate in them in various ways…people will be more likely to support an activity and appreciate the efforts of others in that activity if they also participate in it, or at least have personally tried it, or believe that the option is available to them’ (p. 84).
  
• Education: ‘The vast majority of Australians agree that ‘the Arts should be an important part of the education of every Australian kid (85%)…This should involve all types of education, not just that available through the formal school system’ (p. 86).
  
• Media: ‘Around three quarters of Australians agree that ‘there should be more…coverage of the arts in the media (71%) and ‘we should all learn more about the arts (77%)’ (p. 86)

What does ANATS do to encourage participation in singing activity?

How can we develop activities which will educate not only school education but education about singing in the wider media?

The report identified some perspectives on specific benefits for Australians:

• Inspiration: ‘The vast majority of Australians find ‘the skill of a great artist, musician or writer very inspiring (85%) and agree that ‘I feel good when I can express myself creatively’ (80%)’. They also recognize ‘the benefits of the arts in ‘helping young people to learn how to express themselves…(87%)’ (p. 89).
  
• Quality of life: ‘two thirds of Australians (66%) agree that ‘the arts are good for my inner self’ and ‘68% of people agree that ‘It is important that the arts reflect who we are as Australians’ (p. 88).
  
• Social opportunities: ‘Half of all Australians (51%) already agree that ‘the arts are an important part of my lifestyle’. However, ‘some people with a strong interest in mixing with others of their own age or in their local community do not necessarily find relevant opportunities through the arts’ (p. 86).
  
• Relaxation: ‘More Australians agreed that ‘I look forward to being able to settle into a book, a film or some good music and escape from life for a while’ than with any other statement of personal benefit put forward (88%) (p. 88).
  
• National benefits: although ‘the converted’ acknowledge national benefits, ‘the manner and context in which the message is presented could be made more effective (and personally relevant)’ (p. 86). ‘Three quarters of people (76%) agree that ‘the arts can mean very profitable business both at home and overseas’ (p. 89).
  
• Recognition: Although ‘the majority of people [89%] enjoy the pride of seeing ‘the creative talent of Australians recognised locally and internationally’, ‘the arts sector could improve its ability to bring artistic achievements to the attention of news and current affairs media’ (p. 89).

What is the key role ANATS members play in the arts community?

How can we integrate the positive perceptions found in this report into our own work and work towards addressing the negatives?

I invite you to reflect on these issues in your own studios for the year.

I also invite you to put fingers to keyboard and submit your thoughts to the editor of Voice of ANATS.  Submission are due by January 31.

Warm regards,

Rowena

December 2009 Message

Dear Colleagues,

Membership Renewal: What ANATS contributes to your professional life

You will have recently received either a letter or email with your membership renewals for ANATS for 2010 (early-bird membership rates due by January 31). Members have some wonderful things to look forward to in the next four years. If you are a former member, please think seriously about renewing your access to these activities.

National Activities

• 2010 BalansingAct: Body, Mind and Soul - International presenters Stephen Austin (classical voice specialist, researcher) and Kim Chandler (contemporary voice coach) head a list of excellent presenters on all aspects of your work.

• 2011 Masterteacher Tour - international presenters to tour State Chapters

• 2012 Professional Development Workshop - possible joint presentation of ANATS and NEWZATS

• 2013 International Congress of Voice Teachers – this world congress of voice teachers, held every four years, has been awarded to ANATS, and will be held in Brisbane in 2013.

State Chapter Activities

State Chapters are a major powerhouse of ANATS. Each State Chapter presents workshops which support your activities in singing, teaching and learning. Keep up with the Website for listings in your state and region and State Chapter reports.

Singing, Teaching, Learning

Activities and services supporting technique, musical/performance skills and career/business and professional growth include:

• Website http://www.anats.org.au/ : activity listings at national and chapter levels, links to national and international organizations, member and teacher listings, postgraduate discussion group, member discussion boards

• Australian Voice: an e-journal offering both research and studio-based articles

• Voice of ANATS: National Council’s regular publication detailing member activities, reports and articles on professional practice

• Teacher listings: important points of contact for potential students

• Professional Development Workshops in technique, repertoire and performance issues

• Research: presentations of member research, post-graduate discussion group, point of contact for potential researchers

• Collegiality: professional support, encouragement, and mentoring.

We look forward to your membership renewals for 2010!

November 2009 Message

November is the formal beginning to the new National Council, elected at the recent AGM.

I am looking forward very much to being ANATS National President. A brief note of appreciation at the privilege and thanks to our Immediate Past President, Dr Scott Harrison, followed our AGM onto the website courtesy of our extremely efficient webmaster, John Waller.

This Letter from the President is somewhat longer! I hope you’ll take the opportunity to scan it right through, and to keep looking at the website for updates.

The coming Voice of ANATS also includes some thoughts on where we have been and where we may go. I hope you’ll read and think about what you may contribute to your organization.

National Council

I urge you to read Scott’s summary of the fine achievements of the National Council he led during his time as president, on this page.

I also urge you to note your National Council representatives’ names, listed below:   

Parting words from Immediate Past President, Scott Harrison:

"Farewell

This will be my last web message as President of ANATS.

After three years in the chair, the time is right for me to step down, which I will do at the AGM in October.

It has been an honour to serve the association in this capacity but I feel it is best for someone else to take on the leadership of the association for the next phase. After some time away from ANATS activities, I expect I’ll re-engage with the activities of the association as the opportunities arise.

I hope you will indulge me while I reflect on the last few years with ANATS. There have been many highlights - and a few challenges - along the way.

Since I took the chair in 2006:

1. We have moved to an online version of our Journal, Australian Voice thereby opening up the work of our association to a much wider audience worldwide.
2. Our Newsletter has been converted to a largely email-based version.
3. We have established a network for post-graduate students under the mentorship of Cathy Aggett. National Council have begun to meet face-to-face, an initiative that has helped to shape the association.
4. At the same time, we have moved to much more reasonably priced provider for our teleconferences, and this has cut our operating costs substantially.
5. The Australian Professional Centre has continued to take care of our administrative needs, and now has the responsibility for maintaining our financial systems.
6. We have hosted conferences in Canberra 2006 and Perth 2008, the latter being the first in that state and a celebration of ANATS 20^th Birthday.

There are some challenges ahead for the association.

Our membership numbers have remained constant for some years, and we will need to seriously engage with the professionalization of the association in the coming years.

One of my aims has been to strengthen the research arm of ANATS, and we will continue to shape this in the years to come.

In the future, we will host our biennial conference in Brisbane in 2010, and the major achievement of the last few years, the 2013 International Congress of Voice Teachers at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

I’d like to thank all the members of the association who have made the task an enjoyable one.

In particular, I’d like to acknowledge the support of the National Council, and particularly the executive members with whom I’ve worked so closely – Rowena Cowley, Daniel Kay, Kath Connell, Wendy Todd and Margaret Sim. I’d also like to express my thanks to the Australian Professional Centre, our newsletter editors past and present – Cathy Aggett and Jessica O’Bryan; and to our Journal editor Adele Nisbet. Finally, you wouldn’t be reading this if not for the outstanding work of John Waller, our webmaster. Thanks John – I’ve really enjoyed working with you.

We have much to be proud of. I wish ANATS members all the very best for the future and look forward to seeing the association grow in the coming years.

Best wishes

Dr Scott Harrison"

Regards

Dr Rowena Cowley
ANATS National President

As always, I invite you to share your ideas about ANATS with us.

You might choose to do this

• through your Chapter representatives,
• online via the ANATS Forums or
• by email to president@anats.org.au