Dr Scott Harrison National President ANATS

A July 2008 update from the National President of ANATS

A time for (re) thinking…

I write this report from London, where I am currently in the first few days of almost 6 months study leave.

The entire six months will not be spent here but I am fortunate enough to have the opportunity for a few days in the United Kingdom before travelling on to Italy for the International Society for Music Education (ISME) 2008 World Conference in Bologna.

The time of study will be spent on a variety of projects.

While I am in the UK, I will meet with a fascinating array of people connected to my interests in music education and the singing voice:

• Professor Graham Welch, perhaps best known in singing circles as co-author of Bodymind and Voice,
• Professor Lucy Green whose book How Popular Musicians Learn has changed the landscape in the UK
• David Price, who is responsible for the innovative Musical Futures program in UK schools.
• Other consultations related to singing include Professor Stephen Clift, who works in the area of music and health (particularly the aging voice) and Dr Roy Wales, well known to many in Australia as the founder of ANCA.

The musical delights will also be a highlight of our time away and you may begin to see my eclectic tastes as you read this: In the last few nights, Jessica and I have enjoyed a broad range musically including:

• Candide at the English National Opera,
• Ariadne auf Naxos at the Royal Opera House,
• Wicked on West End and
• Evensong at Kings College Cambridge.

In Italy, we will also attend the Umbria Jazz Festival where Herbie Hancock, Sonny Rollins, Alicia Keys and Cassandra Wilson are performing.

What a feast!

Two major conferences will also feature in our itinerary:

• British Voice Association Choice For Voice 2008, chaired by ex-pat Australian Janice Chapman and featuring Brisbane-based Ron Morris as a keynote speaker.
• At the International Society for Music Education, we will join a strong Australian contingent including many ANATS members who will present on a range of topics.

The remainder of my time on leave will be spent back in Australia working on three book projects related to my main research field of males’ engagement in music, along with some smaller projects in cultural diversity and the use of music in dementia care.

Why am I telling you all this?

Firstly, because I am so excited about what I will learn in the next few months about myself, about music, about singing! How can I keep from sharing this with you?

Secondly, I’d like to encourage each and every ANATS member to consider how they have contributed to their own professional learning in the last few years.

I am indeed fortunate that my current position allows me the luxury of study leave for personal and professional renewal, but this is something I have always valued and would recommend you each try to find the time to do.

Map out how you can enhance your singing teaching: it may be an afternoon workshop, a local weekend conference or an international event.

Perhaps it could be a forthcoming National Conference in Perth! It’s not too late to attend!!

Download your brochure here and register. Conference Registration Form (PDF 89KB)

Regards

Dr Scott Harrison

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
• directly to me through scott.harrison@griffith.edu.au

Jeannette Lovetri

The WA Chapter is thrilled to announce that our major presenter for the 2008 conference will be Jeannette LoVetri.

Jeannette is in demand as one of the world's top specialists in training singers for contemporary commercial music of all styles.

She is the Founder and Director of The Voice Workshop™ and creator of Somatic Voicework™, a unique body-based voice training program.

Jeannette's bio

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