(Posted July 8th, 2010) Media release July 7th - Festival finale for Voices director This week’s Festival of Voices will be the last for Director, Jaspa Wood, who leaves for Singapore next month to pursue a prestigious Asia Link Arts Management fellowship. She has been closely connected to the event since its inception, first as assistant to the inaugural Festival Director and former board member, Neil Cameron, and since 2007 as its Director. In that time the Festival of Voices has grown to become Australia’s premier festival of choirs and Tasmania’s leading winter event, enjoyed last year by more than 10,000 people and returning more than $1 million to the local economy. This year it is a cornerstone of Lumina, Tourism Tasmania's winter tourism campaign celebrating arts, food, sport and cultural events. “It has been my absolute privilege and pleasure to be involved with Festival of Voices,” Jaspa Wood said today. “I leave my role as Director confident the event will continue to grow and to inspire many more thousands of people to take part in this incredibly uplifting festival which celebrates the power and beauty of the human voice.” Under Jaspa Wood’s direction, the 2010 event looks set to repeat the success of previous years with an inspired program of workshops, concerts at major venues, free public performances including what has now become a Hobart winter institution, the Bonfire & Big Sing at Salamanca Place, and the passion and commitment of more than 1000 people representing choirs from around Australia. Festival of Voices Chairman, Heather Rose today paid tribute to Jaspa Wood: “Jaspa’s contribution has been outstanding. She has overseen a community celebration that has engaged thousands of Tasmanians and provided learning and performance opportunities for singers and choirs from across the country. She has played a significant part in helping to grow Tasmania as a place of exciting creative and cultural opportunities,” she said. She announced that next year’s guest Artistic Director will be Andrew Legg, Deputy Head of the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music, in collaboration with Kevin Purcell, Head of the Conservatorium. The Conservatorium’s significant international contacts and artistic relationship would provide FoV added opportunities to grow the international appeal of the Festival to audiences and participants, Ms Rose said. She said the festival would also be seeking an Executive Producer to lead the production and development team in 2011.
(posted July 3rd, 2010) The Winner of the Festival of Voices E - Card Competition is Craig Keeler - Milne's friends Glennis and Idris Murphy! Congratulations! See you at the Festival! (Posted June 23rd, 2010) Media Release: Wednesday 23 June The 936 flash mob choir – streaming live from Festival of Voices Celebrate the power and joy of the voice Do you like singing in a large group? How about singing around a bonfire? Want to be part of a choir but don't have time to go to rehearsal? Then join our choir - the 936 flashmob choir - and practice in your own time. We are performing on Saturday July 10 at the Big Bonfire and Big Sing during Festival of Voices. You can take part in person at Salamanca Place, Hobart or via the stream at abc.net.au/hobart. Under the Milky Way is our song, chosen by 936 ABC Hobart listeners. Download your part, learn it, rehearse it and then join friends, family and complete strangers around the Big Bonfire and on the stream. Stephen Taberner, of the Spooky Men's Chorale, has created a beautiful four part arrangement for tenor, soprano, alto and bass. Stephen will be our conductor on the night. 936 ABC Hobart’s Michael Veitch will be fireside to host the event which commences at 6.30pm, streaming live from 7pm. Click here to find your part Add your voice to the 936 flash mob choir The Festival of Voices Bonfire and Big Sing has become a mid-winter tradition in Hobart. It begins with a candlelight vocal procession winding its way into Salamanca Place for the lighting of the great fire. Festival of Voices is inclusive, collaborative and non-competitive with opportunities for everyone. Established in 2005, the Festival's mission is to be a world gathering of choirs celebrating the power and joy of the voice. In 2009 more than 10,000 participants, including 35 choirs from across Australia, attended concerts, performances and workshops across the city and gathered under the milky way for the Festival Bonfire and Big Sing in Salamanca Place on Hobart's historic waterfront. For further information contact: Kathy Gates 03 6235 3202 / 0407 408 135 / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 936 ABC Hobart online - abc.net.au/hobart Join us on facebook - facebook.com/936abchobart, Follow us on twitter - twitter.com/936 (Posted June 22nd, 2010) Media release More than 1000 singers warming up for Australia’s premier festival of choirs More than 1000 singers including dozens of choirs and individuals from around the country are getting ready to head south to Hobart this winter when Australia’s premier festival of choirs, the Festival of Voices, returns from 7 to 11 July.
This sensational annual event, under the artistic direction of Jaspa Wood, is in its sixth year in 2010 and a firm fixture on Tasmania’s cultural calendar. The festival offers a rare opportunity for anyone with a passion for singing to spend five days learning from and working with some of the best choral
teachers in the world. The intensive workshops culminate in public performances in major venues including the Federation Concert Hall, St. David’s Cathedral and Hobart Town Hall. Melbourne-based Stephen Taberner, whose wonderfully talented and very quirky Spooky Men’s Chorale has featured on ABC TV’s Spicks ‘n Specks and in many performances around Australia, will play a key role this year, including teaching short courses in Singing for Blokes and Singing Like a Bloke, as well as leading this year’s FoV 936 Flash Mob Choir in an all-in performance of Under the Milky Way at the Festival’s traditional Saturday evening Bonfire and Big Sing event at Hobart’s iconic Salamanca Place on 10 July. Stephen’s recording of the song, in multi-part harmonies, will be available for download from the ABC 936 website in June, offering everyone the chance to learn the song ahead of time and to come along and take part in a massed public performance around the spectacular bonfire. In 2009 around 4000 people rugged up and headed for Salamanca Place to join in this dynamic event. Other highlights of this year’s program include not-to-be-missed workshops with international teachers - in gospel singing with one of the world’s finest proponents, Myron Butler, who returns to the festival for the second consecutive year, and in contemporary A cappella with leading Californian artist, Austin Willacy, in his first Australian visit. Workshops are also selling fast in operatic choral singing with the noted Australian artist, Simon Kenway, singing for young people with Lyn Williams from Gondwana Voices and the Sydney Children’s Choir and with the renowned community choir leaders Kavisha Mazzella, Stephen Taberner and Tony Backhouse who will teach individual and joint workshops across the Festival week. Pictured above: Thousands headed to Salamanca Place for last year’s Bonfire & Big Sing. Jaspa Wood and guest artists are available for interview. Please contact Sue Couttie, for more information or to receive great hi-res images. Phone 0419 522 064 or email
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(Posted June 10th, 2010) Media Release
Festival of Voices returns to warm the soul, make spirits soar A singer-songwriter and leading light of contemporary American A cappella who has appeared with such greats as Ray Charles and James Brown, and more recently, Jem, Rachael Yamagata and Amos Lee, is one of this year’s very special guest artists heading to Tasmania from 7 - 11 July to teach and to perform in Australia’s premier national festival of choirs, the Festival of Voices. Californian, Austin Willacy (pictured above) is a member of The House Jacks, a groundbreaking vocal rock band with whom he has produced seven full-length albums, conducted international A cappella master classes and toured extensively internationally. In his first Australian visit and appearing exclusively for the
Festival of Voices, Willacy will lead a series of A cappella workshops culminating in a not-to-be-missed concert performance at the fabulous Festival Finale at the Tasmanian Federation Concert Hall on Sunday 11 July. Also joining the stellar line-up of guest teachers and artists taking part this year are: • The return, by popular demand, of the of 2009 Festival of Voices stars, Myron Butler and Timberlyn Butler from the USA – the four-time Grammy award-winning singers, songwriters, recording artists and inspirational teachers will again lead the festival Gospel Workshop. • One the most respected and accomplished figures in Australian classical music, the conductor and operatic choral director, Simon Kenway, who will teach this year’s Opera/Choral Workshop. • Lyn Williams, the inspirational founder and Artistic Director of the Gondwana Choirs, including the renowned Sydney Children’s Choir and Gondwana Voices which perform regularly with such leading ensembles as the Sydney Symphony and Australian Chamber Orchestra. Lyn will lead this year’s Young Voices program.
• A stroke of programming genius will see three of Australia’s best-loved community choir directors - Kavisha Mazzella (La Voce Della Luna Italian Women’s Choir), Tony Backhouse (Café at the Gate of Salvation) and Stephen Taberner (Spooky Men’s Chorale) - team up for a sensational day-long workshop as well as individual masterclasses and performances. Now in its sixth year, and again directed by Jaspa Wood, Festival of Voices is firmly established as
Tasmania’s favourite winter event. More than a thousand singers and artists will head south to take part in an unforgettable week of workshops and short courses as well as performances in a host of intimate and grand spaces in and around historic Hobart. Director, Jaspa Wood, who has been with Festival of Voices since the beginning in 2005, describes the event as one of “true celebration where anyone who loves to sing has the chance to realise their own
potential.” Even those not directly involved with the festival can have their time in the spotlight with the return of the traditional Saturday evening favourite, the Festival Bonfire & Big Sing. The thousands who turned out in 2009 to perform the Hunters & Collectors classic, Throw Your Arms Around Me are encouraged to learn and practice a new song downloadable from the 936 ABC Radio website and join a massed performance led by Stephen Taberner, around the bonfire at historic Salamanca Place. “In a setting like that, rugged up against a crisp, clear Hobart winter night, how can you not feel like singing?” says Jaspa Wood. Jaspa Wood and guest artists are available for interview. Please contact Sue Couttie, 0419 522 064 or
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. Fantastic hi-res images available.
(Posted June 1st, 2010) Festival of Voices now has a new Facebook page - please sign up and we'll update you with news and events!
(Posted March 1st, 2010) Austin Willacy, critically acclaimed singer/songwriter from Berkeley California, will be our guest artist leading the Contemporary A Cappella Major Workshop, replacing Deke Sharon who is unable to join us. This workshop is designed for singers, of all abilities, who want to explore the potential of the voice and the magnificence of harmonies, working with contemporary/pop/rock compositions and expanding the skills of singers. Join Victorian choirs Suara and Harambee (as seen on Channel 7 Battle of the Choirs) for this workshop – which is bound to inspire singers with the pure wonder of voices working together. Austin Willacy has toured the U.S, Europe and Japan with The House Jacks, a groundbreaking all-vocal rock band. He’s appeared in Rolling Stone and has performed with Bonnie Raitt, Ray Charles, James Brown and rising stars like Jem, Rachael Yamagata & Amos Lee. Austin has also toured extensively as a solo artist since 2005 while continuing his domestic and international touring with The House Jacks. “His vocal prowess is a never-ending source of amazement.” Buddy Saleman, President, APG Records (San Francisco, CA) 5 day workshops cost $390
(Posted Feb 14th, 2010) Myron Butler’s highly anticipated third album ‘Revealed – Live in Dallas’ is due for release on the 30 March 2010. The Festival of Voices, due to popular demand, welcomes Myron and Timberlyn Butler back for the 2010 Festival as Gospel workshop leaders. “Butler is a classic gospel head so his forté lies in crafting beautiful, expertly rendered neo-choral sonatas, old-school enough to please purists, yet with a new-school vibrancy to reel in newer generations.” Andree Farias, All Music Guide
(Posted Jan 20th, 2010) Workshop registrations are well underway as the Festival heads into it's exciting 6th year. Make sure you sign up for our Festival Singer's Package to ensure your choir, or simply you, enjoy all the excitement and benefits of the Festival. (Posted Jan 1st, 2010) Congratulations to our Festival Director Jaspa Wood who has received an AsiaLink Residency in Singapore for 2010. This is fantastic opportunity for the Festival to benefit from the international experience Jaspa will gain. (Posted November 21st, 2009) In 2010 Festival of Voices launches a fantastic way to interact with the Festival for singers, choir members and audiences alike. It might even be the perfect Christmas present for the singers and concertgoers in your family. When you register for a Major Workshop in 2010 a Festival Singers Package is included in the price. The Festival Singers Package is the perfect way to ensure you get the most out of this sell-out Festival whether you're an individual singer, choir member or simply wanting to enjoy the Fesrival as a member of the audience. (Posted November 20th, 2009) The Festival of Voices 2010 is now open for Registrations. Make the most of our early bird offers and register now as a Festival Singer - and for our Major Workshops. (Posted July 24th, 2009) 'Many singers will remember Horace Boyer from the 2005 Festival of Voices and the inspirational way that he worked with singers.... we would like to acknowledge his great contribution to gospel music and our sympathies go to his family after he passed away last month.
(Posted July 24th, 2009) Festival reviews by independent arts writers at http://writeresponse.blospot.com St David’s Cathedral, Hobart Thursday July 9 2009 Review by Stephenie Cahalan There is something about the human voice that makes it a truly compelling instrument to listen to. We all have it, but some people use it with a skill and finesse that utterly eludes others. Yet for a few days every year, the Festival of Voices enables singers with skill to improve and learn from world-class teachers, while those of us who save their singing for the shower are encouraged to overcome inhibition and belt out a tune. The opening night of the festival was a grand introduction to the talents of performers featured throughout the four-day programme. Held in St David’s Cathedral on the frostiest of nights, the church made an excellent venue: its ornate interior lent appropriate grandeur, while the high vaulted ceiling allowed voices to soar before bouncing back down to the packed audience. Malcolm Dalglish, American choral composer and director, was accompanied on Hammer Dulcimer by percussionist Peter Jacob and the sweet tones of the Young Voices of Melbourne. There is something so beguiling about the open face of a person who is high on oxygen and working their diaphragm like an athlete. Multiplied by the dozens of choristers and soloists that evening, this made for much joy. The choice of music varied from traditional choral by Brahms, opera by Offenbach and Bizet, to modern gospel and folk. The accompanists achieved that fine balance of exemplary musicianship without overpowering the singers. Perhaps the only incongruity came in the form of a laptop offering the accompaniment of a gospel choir to Grammy award winning singer-songwriter, director and producer, Myron Butler and partner Tymberlin. At times it threatened to drown out their dexterous and soulful voices, but I expect it is too much to ask for the entire choir to be present. On show were the developing talents of singers ranging from the young members of the Gondwana Chorale, the Exaudi Youth Choir and the 60th Intervarsity Festival Choir, whose position at the rear of the church had a haunting effect. Indigenous Darwin-based singer/songwriter Shellie Morris snuggled in down and alone with her guitar on stage, offering a small taste of the dynamism of her performances promised for later in the festival. The grand finale was the premier performance of a work commissioned by the Festival of Voices. Hear My Song, by young composer Ben van Tienan, was realised with members of five choirs lining the cathedral. UK chorister Mike Brewer conducted singers and musicians from the altar, while Van Tienan led those in the rear, glancing over their shoulders to keep pace with each other. The effect filled every crevice of the building with an awesome combination of tones and registers that made the solar plexus pound. It was a great opening night to a festival that matures with every year.
HOME CONCERT, Peacock Theatre, Festival of Voices. Review by Gai Anderson Singing from the heart. On a icy clear Friday night in Hobart, Salamanca Arts Centre echoes with the voices of choirs singing their hearts out in harmony. The Long Gallery has become the Festival of Voices Club and the atmosphere is so full with the joy of singing, I find myself grinning from ear to ear . Downstairs in the atmospheric Peacock theatre, the Home concert begins and the buoyant crowd is quickly seduced and delighted by two of the great talents of this years Festival ; Indigenous singer - songwriter Shellie Morris from the Northern Territory and later, Indiana based hammer dulcimer virtuoso and choir master Malcolm Dalglish. What a treat we are in for as these amazing performers each invite us so warmly into their lives through their heartfelt songs and stories. Dreadlocked and sneakered Shellie Morris’s cheeky warmth and beautiful clear voice are instantly infectious. Simple songs sung from the heart, of family, friends community, country and home interspersed with quick wit, real tears and quirky humour. Stories of the unconditional love of her adopted family; respect for the elders; the search for her birth family; and memories of childhood, when aborigines were still seen as “Flora and Fauna”. Shelley is at the festival giving song-writing workshops, as she does all over the country, in remote indigenous communities, in gaols, and inner city communities. She ends her set for the night by creating a song on the spot and the audience cheers, hoots and claps with delight as they sing along to the chorus. Malcolm Dalglishs’ arrival on stage is initially more subdued, but his haunting minor key compositions on hammer dulcimer, accompanied by his lilting yet gravelly voice, are spine tingling.Featuring beautiful ballads of love and passion from the poetry of Wendell Berry, as well as his own intimate stories of family and community – from dark nights in rural Indiana, atmospheric old barns, hard rain to the mythic seal woman story, his songs are without exception distinctive and delightful. Interspersed with sometimes side splitting tales from his life, Dalglishs’ extensive theatrical background is never far from the surface. Beginning with his 30 year love story with the dulcimer; he demonstrates how its constellations of chords sometimes still involuntarily mesmerise him into hours of bad new age holding patterns. Or how jogging down the road becomes a great way to create new rhythms until the snarling dogs at the end of the street force his hysterical slow motion escape. And finally the stone back wall of the theatre becomes a cliff upon which he once spent a long night on a cold mountain side, as the beautiful harmonies of the Young Voices of Melbourne accompany his moving song, The Brink. Dalglish may have told these stories and sung these songs hundreds of times before, but he is a gifted performer and it feels is if tonight is the first, that you are one of his best friends sitting in his lounge room and its a real privilege to be here.
Bonfire and Big Sing, Salamanca Place review by Kylie Easterley On a comparatively balmy night for Tasmania’s midwinter, thousands of beanie wearers gathered at Salamanca Place in Hobart for the Big Sing. No, it wasn’t an all-ages rave, but a major community event in the 2009 Festival of Voices program. With rain threatening and the crowd anticipating the lighting of the giant bonfire, children held candles while parents supped on mulled wine to keep away the chill. The atmosphere was warm, welcoming and exciting. Amongst the sea of umbrellas, scent of diesel and sound of a chainsaw (last minute preparations for the bonfire), came a distant chanting of voices, followed by a procession of torch and flag bearers marching toward the unlit bonfire. The crowd erupted as the bonfire was lit sending metre high flames into the clear and cool sky and sparks throughout the crowd. Just like cracker night. Voices were readied to sing one of Australia’s most iconic songs by Hunters and Collectors, Throw Your Arms Around Me and Hobart musician Dean Stevenson, ABC newsreader Peter Gee and the Barker College Choir led the crowd in the Big Sing. Organisers had pre-arranged downloads for people to learn the four part harmonies of the song. The reality of coordinating more than a thousand voices was more complicated on the night and while this fell a little flat, it didn’t matter as the choice of the song and the goodwill and enthusiasm of the crowd carried the experience. While the singalong was fun, the highlight of this major family event was the performance by Suade, an all-male a capella group from Melbourne. They had won me over a day earlier when I participated in a singing workshop at the Nubeena High School gym. Their range and harmonies without mics was exceptional. In front of hundreds in Salamanca Place (with amplification) they wooed the crowd with songs from Chris Isaak, the Beach Boys and the musical Grease, finishing with a fantastic all-voice version of Queen’s, Bohemian Rhapsody. They demonstrated great vocal range and humour that connected with the crowd who sang, danced and responded overwhelmingly to the group. A higher stage may have rectified problems with audiences unable to see some of the performances, but overall the Big Sing was a great success and a smart inclusion in the Festival of Voices program. It certainly supported Festival Director, Jaspa Wood’s aim of providing opportunities ‘whether you are a passionate beginner or an experienced performer’. (Festival of Voices program 2009) The Festival Bonfire and Big Sing managed to connect with those distant family memories of sitting around bonfires, singing old songs and laughing.
(Posted July 12th, 2009) Finale! The Federation Concert Hall has never sounded so good. More than 700 singers took to the stage in an extraordinary concert featuring visiting Choral Directors Mike Brewer (UK), Malcolm Dalgliesh (USA), Myron and Timberlyn Butler (USA), and Mark O'Leary (Aus) and a special performance by a capella group Suade. Choirs from across Australia participated and the Festival workshop participants brought new repertoire to life in dynamic and breathtaking performances. The Concert was broadcast live across Australia on ABC Radio National and compered by ABC presenter Christopher Lawrence. It was a packed house and a spectatcular finale to this vibrant 4 days that has seen Hobart come alive with song. Thank you to all who made this, the 5th Festival of Voices, such an extraordinary success. (Posted July 5th, 2009) Now that's a Festival! The Festival of Voices opens this Thursday and Hobart is buzzing with anticipation. The Festival Opening Night Concert at St David's Cathedral with its international line-up of singing stars is sold out. If you want to catch a major Festival Concert check the Festival Program now! Bookings though Centertainment on (03) 6234 5998 or www.centertainment.com.au And check the Festival Program for a complete guide to all the short (one hour) Aperitivo concerts throughout the Festival from Thursday July 9th - Sunday July 12th. These concerts are door sales only ($10) so bring the family! Short workshops are available with our Australian and international guest artists on Saturday and Sunday. Door sales only. Be early! For any information please call the Festival offices on (03) 6224 5975. And of course the Festival Club is open each night in the Long Gallery, Salamanca Place from July 9th. Check your Festival Program for details. Come and join the Festival community and hear some wonderful impromptu performances. Soup, wine and warm camaraderie until late every night. (Posted July 1st, 2009) Now that's a Big Sing! More than 1000 people have registered with our Festival partner 936 ABC Radio to be part of the Big Sing at the Festival Bonfire 6.30pm on Saturday July 11th. (Posted June 26th 2009) Festival Workshops - Festival Workshops are a sell out! There' s a buzz about this year's Festival as major Workshops book out. More then 330 singers have signed up for The Young Voices Workshop with Mark O'Leary (Aus) and Malcolm Dalglish (USA) and the Gospel Workshop with Myron Butler (USA). But you haven't missed out because over the weekend of 11/12 July the Festival features a series of 2 hr Short Courses that will give you the opportunity to sing with our fantastic Festival Guest Artists.Check the Festival Program for details. Door sales only. Be early! Shellie Morris Our Lives Workshop - approximately 11+ hours of singing tuition and performance over 4 days July 9 - 12 - last places available. Contact the Festival Office for bookings on 6224 5975. (Posted May 15th 2009) Festival program launch Saturday 16 May at Salamanca Market 12.15pm 'A thousand voices, international line-up signal Festival of Voices’ coming of age. Now in its fifth year, Australia’s only annual national choral festival comes of age in 2009 with an irresistible program that will see more than 1000 singers fill the halls, churches, streets and squares of beautiful, historic Hobart with song'. Sue Couttie Full Festival program available as a downlaod from website. (Posted March 30th 2009) Bookings are now open for our Singing Workshops July 9 - 12
The Festival of Voices Workshops are now open for enrolment. Teachers include the Grammy-Award winning gospel singer Myron Butler, the renowned Mike Brewster from the UK and the remarkable Malcolm Dalglish from the USA. Plus our own acclaimed Australian artists and musicians Mark O'Leary and Shelie Morris. Book now! (Posted March 12th 2009) Launch of new Festival BrandThe new Festival of Voices Brand was launched tonight! Six months in the planning and development, the new brand reflects a coming-of-age as the Festival enters its 5th year. The champagne flowed as sponsors and supporters from Events Tasmania, Arts Tasmania, the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart City Council, Salamanca Arts Centre and representatives from our leading Tasmanian arts organisations and Festivals were given a short presentation by brand designer Ty Bukewitsch and web designer Troy Daniels. Festival Director Jaspa Wood gave a brief overview of the Festival's Artisitic Program and Board Member Andrew Legg gave a sneak preview of what Festival audiences and Workshop participants can expect from this year's international stars. For more on the creation of the brand see Creation of the new Festival Brand below. (Posted March 12th 2009) Creation of new Festival BrandOur new Festival brand was created by Green Team and Envelope Group. Green Team and Envelope Group have partnered on major projects since 2008. Green Team specialises in advertising and communications utlising all media from television to web design. Green Team have clients across Australia in the public and private sector with a particular commitment to social and environmental sustainability. Green Team, with offices in Hobart, Melbourne and New York, has a passion for the arts and community. Green Team Australia was co-founded and is chaired by Festival of Voices Chairman, Heather Rose. The talented members of design team Envelope Group have worked with leading brands including Melbourne Theatre Company, Melbourne Festival of the Arts, National Gallery Victoria, Australian National Academy of Music, Computershare, OZ Minerals, Australia Post, National Australia Bank and many other national and international organisations. Envelope Group is based in Melbourne with strong links to Tasmania. Ty Bukewitsch is a Tasmanian whose initial studies included mathematics and science before finding his place in the world of branding and marketing. Says Designer Ty Bukewitsch: "The new brand reflects the maturity of a Festival now well established on the annual arts calendar yet with all the hallmarks of a vibrant, exciting arts Festival. The brand is youthful and innovative, the big 'V' reflects the Festival's mission to grow a world gathering celebrating the 'Voice'. And it has a nice nod to Tasmania with the 'V' shape." (Posted March 12th 2009) Launch of Invitation to Festival 2009Download your copy of the Festival invitation here! Please forward to friends and relatives!
(Posted February 13th 2009) Festival expands its BoardThe Festival of Voices is leading the way with a majority of its members being women. This goes against a national trend where female Board representation has been declining. Says Festival Chairman, Heather Rose, "We required a unique set of skills (as all Boards do) and our core competencies were found in key women in the community. It is an enormous privilege to harness the artistic and business skills of both Maria Lurighi and Brett Tarossi and the communications skills of Jocelyn Nettlefold. We have also appointed Andrew Legg to our Board and Andrew's musical skills, experience and capacity are again an enormous asset. These new members join our existing Board of Neil Cameron, Sharran Woods and Mark O'Leary to meet the challenges we face as the Festival continues to grow nationally and internationally and we work to ensure its continued place as an event of state significance." Festival Director, Jaspa Wood, is delighted by the expanded Board. "The Festival of Voices is the leading winter arts event in the state. In 2008 it contributed and estimated $300,000 in revenue into Tasmania in the heart of winter. We are committed to seeing the Festival grow its reputation throughout Australia and beyond and continue to enrich the social and cultural life of Tasmanians. This is the Board to make that happen!" The 2009 Festival is July 9th to July 12th. For more information visit www.festivalofvoices.com |
