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Canberra Today 21°/25° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

New voice for local music

MusicACT president Gil Miller... “We want to represent music in the ACT through advocacy and promotion.”

CANBERRA’S music industry is banding together to create a new peak music body called MusicACT that will represent, promote and advocate for all music in the ACT.

The ACT is currently the only State or Territory without a music body in Australia and, after nine months of planning, a group of nine people within the ACT music industry have decided now is the time to begin one.

“When it comes back to our charter, we want to represent music in the ACT through advocacy and promotion, that’s exactly what we are doing,” MusicACT president Gil Miller said.

Mr Miller said there had been a number of music organisations set up over the years, including another MusicACT, but none have got off the ground.

“One of the concerns of some of the local organisations is that we will be stomping on their turf, but it’s quite the contrary,” he said.

“Anyone who has existing facilities, we are looking at utilising them and bringing them on board as a member.

“We aren’t looking at reinventing the wheel.”

Mr Miller said that, ideally, they’d like to see the organisation become independent and not have to worry about where funding is coming from.

“We are always going to be dependent on sponsors, but we need to get to a point where we can have our own office setup with an administrator-cum-general manager, secretarial support,” he said.

So far, MusicACT has already begun planning sound and lighting workshops and business workshops for up-and-coming artists.

He said he also hoped members could approach them for help when facing issues such as noise constraints or lack of venue space.

Currently, MusicACT is working closely with the ACT Government through artsACT but is seeking new members and sponsors.

Already, they’ve attracted the sponsorship support of Elite Sound and Lighting, NAB, Canberra Milk and design agency Giraffe.

And they’re looking for any musicians, DJs, producers, venues, and music related organisations, educators, retailers, businesses and professionals who’d like to take out a membership.

MusicACT will be launched at The Deck, Regatta Point , Wednesday October 12. Local bands, The Goji Berry Jam Fusion Band and Fun Machine will be performing. More information at info@musicact.com.au

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