Celebrating a funding win for New England Sings 2022, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, left, Minister for Arts Ben Franklin, NECOM Artistic Director Corinne Arter, NECOM Board Chair Greg Moin and NECOM Business Director Sophie Williams.
Tuesday, 31 May 2022
THE musical extravaganza which is New England Sings will burst back onto the stage in 2022 following a two-year COVID-19 enforced hiatus, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall today announcing a $36,721 State Government grant to support school student participation.
A cultural grant of $10,000 was provided ahead of the postponed event in 2021.
Mr Marshall said the award-winning New England Sings had put the region’s performing arts sector on the map and he was looking forward to its return in October.
“It is music to my ears to hear the New England Conservatorium of Music (NECOM) is warming up the vocal cords and preparing for the start of rehearsals in July,” Mr Marshall said.
“The mass choral event has become a centrepiece for our cultural calendar, delivering high quality music education and performance opportunities to 900 young people from 36 regional schools.
“This funding will assist participating schools to access free choral workshops delivered by NECOM, and ensure remote schools receive travel assistance to attend the final rehearsals and performance.
“Funds will also support some of the costs associated with staging a showcase of this scale.”
Mr Marshall said the nationally acclaimed event had again received musical contributions from some of the country’s leading songwriters and composers.
“NECOM is once again partnering with leading Australian artists, with two new choral works commissioned especially for the event – a piece by Justine Clarke for the primary choral and another by Luke Byrne for the secondary section,” he said.
“Our region has some of the State’s most talented and aspiring musicians and what a way to celebrate post pandemic normality, and a return to the stage, than by bringing this talented cohort together and raising the roof in song.”
New England Sings will take place at 11am and 2.30pm on Sunday, 23 October, 2022.