Qld Chapter News October ‘09

November 1, 2009 at 6:15 pm

Is anyone else out there suffering from examitis?  It’s that time of the year when most teachers are busy hand holding, counselling, calming, and oh yes, a bit of teaching as well.  They’ll survive but will we?

The Qld Chapter Committee is in full flight with preparations for the 2010 National Conference in Brisbane.  “The BalanSing Act”, yes you can blame me for the cheesy title, is from the 30th Sept to 3rd Oct at the Bardon Conference Centre.  If you haven’t yet, you will over the next few months be receiving information on this event.  We have a glossy and glam bookmark that may find it’s way to you with the clever logo that we’ve had designed.  You’ll be seeing more of that too.  There are some ideas and guests that I’m almost popping with excitement to tell you, but that would spoil the surprise.  Stay in touch with the website.

We recently had our day with Professor Scott McCoy, the first in his series of Eastern States presentations.  Scott is an engaging and erudite presenter.  The 55 ANATS registrants shared the morning session on Vocal Health with 25 or so registrants of the 3rd ASPAH (Australian Society for Performing Arts Healthcare) conference that weekend.  This sort of collaboration was indeed rewarding to see come to fruition. 

The other 2 sessions on using voice analysis to “fach” voices and on resonance and registers were enlightening.  Adele Nisbet ably chaired a Q & A session from the floor at the end of the day.  The feedback we’ve had from attendees has all been glowingly positive and I’m sure other chapters will find that he’s equally well received by their members.  It was also a pleasure to welcome so many of our interstate colleagues who joined us on the day.

The Qld Chapter AGM will be on Sunday 22nd November at 4.30pm at the home of Daniel Kay, 40 Kildare St Carina Heights.  This will be followed by the traditional BYO libation and mastication of various bits and pieces.  Do join us if you’re free.

I’d like to join with the thunderous chorus of thankyous to our outgoing National Council President, Dr Scott Harrison.  Scott has been a thoroughly engaged and energetic President whose contribution over the last 3 years is acknowledged and valued by all.  We all wish him well for future endeavours.

Our best wishes also go with newly elected President Dr Rowena Cowley and Vice President/Secretary Daniel Kay.  The future of our association is in safe hands.

On behalf of the Qld Chapter I’d like to wish you all the best for the approaching holiday season and I look forward to seeing many of you here in Brisbane in October next year.

Geoffrey Ashenden

Qld Chapter President

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June 2009 update

June 16, 2009 at 5:05 pm

As I write this, many parts of coastal South East Qld and Northern NSW are recovering from the big blow.  Our thoughts are with our friends and neighbours in these regions.  ‘Tis the season for Eisteddfodau in many of these areas and I hope the disruption circumstances have caused is minimal.

The Qld Chapter was very pleased with the attendance at our recent Symposium “Primary Concerns” held on April 19th in Brisbane. 

Local guru Dr James Cuskelly and Melbourne based Trevor Jones shared their enthusiasm, wisdom and strategies for dealing with Primary School age voices.  The feedback we’ve received from registrants was very positive.

A Certificate of Appreciation was presented to a deserving but very surprised Margaret Harvison of Mackay from the Qld Chapter.  I think this may have been the first time many had seen Margaret almost stuck for words.  (I think I’ll be getting a smack for that one!)

The President of the NSW chapter, Di Hughes, flew up especially to present a Certificate of Appreciation from the National Council to Bob Tasman-Smith, now resident on the Gold Coast.  Bob gave a very moving acceptance speech.

Our dance card seems to be quite full lately.  The Qld Chapter is working towards the National Conference, “The BalanSing Act”, next year from September 30th to October 3rd at the Bardon Conference Centre.  Details will be published in due course.

Along with other states, we’ll be hosting Dr Scott McCoy later this year.  Our event will be on the 11th of October as collaboration with ASPAH’s conference at the Qld Conservatorium that weekend.  Again, details will be published in due course.

For those of you off to Paris soon for the ICVT, yes we expect a postcard at least, and something quaffable to share at the first committee meeting on your return would be appropriately collegial.

Best wishes to all.

Geoffrey Ashenden

President Qld Chapter

 

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Feb 2009 update

February 9, 2009 at 5:09 pm

My first task as the incoming President of the Qld Chapter Committee is to thank our former incumbent, Daniel Kay, for his fine work in leading us through some exciting developments over the past 3 years.  We have continued to forge closer collegial ties between voice teachers of varying ilk, begun what we hope will become a tradition of a Biannual Regional Symposium, and developed a high profile for our annual symposia at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.  Daniel has played a significant role in all of these areas and this is warmly and gratefully acknowledged.

 

I welcome Jessica O’Bryan, our indefatigable editor of VOA, to the role of Vice President, and thank Antonia Breen (Secretary) and Jan Hungerford (Treasurer) for their continuing roles.  Daniel continues as a committee member as do Adele Nisbet, Margaret Schindler, Irene Bartlett, Judith Henley, Sharon Moore and Susan Grinsell (regional rep).

 

We are in the final planning stages of our Symposium for 2009, “Primary Concerns”.  This one-day event, Sunday 19th April at the BCEC, will bring together Dr James Cuskelly from UQ and Trevor Jones from Melbourne to give registrants an engaging day looking into the issues of dealing with Primary School aged children’s voices.  As in the past, this topic is being addressed at the behest of our membership base, you guys out there! 

 

The registration brochure this year will be available as a download from the ANATS website, and we will promulgate it through the network of affiliate organizations and ANATS friends.  For those not online, we will post a hard copy on request.

 

We hope to be able to replicate part of this event in conjunction with our colleagues in Mackay later in the year, but more on that as the year progresses.

 

The committee is in the process of planning the next National Conference, working title “The BalanSing Act”, here in Brisbane from September 30th to October 3rd 2010.

 

Now that the dust has settled and we’re all back to the grindstone, have a great year spreading joy to the world through your work with singers.

 

Geoffrey Ashenden

Qld Chapter President

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Chapter Update: November ‘08

October 27, 2008 at 1:09 pm

Another year has flown by and Christmas is upon us. I think the years get shorter as we get older…they also seem to pass more quickly when we are busy – and that has certainly been the case in Queensland. So much to do…so little time!

The year commenced with another extremely successful state based Symposium at the Brisbane Convention Centre, with nearly 70 delegates enjoying instruction in registration and practice regimes. The year quickly progressed onto the National Conference held in Perth during September. I know I join the many Queenslanders’ who attended the Conference by congratulating the Perth organising committee on a wonderfully presented program and event. You have certainly set the bar for our responsibilities in 2010 when Queensland hosts the biennial event in Brisbane.

Once again the Queensland calendar will culminate Sunday 23rd November with our state AGM at 1pm, followed by a workshop in both Classical and Contemporary Voice. Both Greg Messingham (Classical) and Viktoria Roubin (Contemporary) will provide practical insights into the ‘how’s and why’s’ of their studio practice…a real privilege for those with the intention to attend.

Next year promises to be jam packed with opportunities of professional development for Queensland ANATS members…and their friends. Once again we will hold our nationally renowned state base symposium ‘Primary Concerns’, Sunday 19th April. This single day event will focus on the highly specialised area of teaching primary school age voice plus much more. It is our hope to then take the symposium program and replicate it into our second regional symposium. Plans are already underway to stage the event in Mackay…details to follow. This will then be followed by our AGM/workshop later in the year.

Finally, it is with great confidence that I announce my stepping down from office of President at this year’s AGM. I have had the privilege of holding this position for the past 3 years and I believe it continues to be in the association’s best interest to cycle through fresh leadership on a 3-4yr basis. I confidently vacate the office because the chapter remains well furbished with mature leadership in its ranks, who I believe will continue the great work of the Queensland Chapter committee well into the future. A personal and special thank you to the Chapter committee members who have shown me the confidence in allowing me to hold the office for these past 3 years. It is my intention, if allowed by the committee to continue as a general committee member…this in turn may allow a greater personal focus on our larger events forthcoming in the 2010 National Conference and the possible hosting of the 2013 ICVT.

Daniel Kay

Queensland Chapter President

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