THE Young Music Society is going on safari, musically that is, with its  autumn school holiday program “Lost in the Wild”.

Billed as “a safari of musical fun, games, instrument building, song-writing, and an exciting journey into the musical wilderness”, it will be led by  led by noted music educator, teacher and professional musician Jim Sharrock.

Sharrock has developed, promoted and delivered the Global Percussion Touring Schools Program to regional schools in NSW and Queensland. He is a qualified teacher with teaching and performance experience from day care age through primary school to college level and adult education and he has tutored in the education faculty at UC in Arts Education, also presenting teacher training days to teachers in the ACT Education Department.

Sharrock’s name is also familiar from performances at festivals and with musical acts in the ACT and interstate for the past 20 years. He is now engaged in outreach work with disengaged youth, facilitating instrument making workshops with them on a weekly basis. The New general manager of the society, composer Stephen Leek, reminds us that the Young Music Society is a not-for-profit, self-funded organisation established nearly 50 years ago by local musicians and parents in order to offer your people in Canberra with opportunities which give experiences and insights into a broad artistic world.

Programs are designed for young people of any musical experience and the holiday schools are based around the development of creative and music skills in activities designed to engage and challenge participants in a fun and safe environment.

“Lost in the Wild” is for primary school children. At Belconnen Arts Centre, 9am – 3.30pm, April 18 – 22, no music experience necessary and all equipment provided for five days, cost $330. Applications to youngmusicsociety.org.au