ABC and CQCM strengthen their partnership
Published on 02 March, 2006
The Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) has recently been awarded a grant of $34,000 from the ABC to help stage the CQCM Jazz Tour, after a successful application through the ABC’s regional production fund by CQU Adjunct Professor Ross Quinn.
“The $34,000 grant will be added to the existing funds for the tour and enable us to secure a headline performer,” said Professor Jim Mienczakowski, Director of the CQCM.
“The last CQCM Jazz Tour took place in 2003 and featured Grace Knight,” said Professor Mienczakowski.
“This money will ensure that other top Australian artists will be able to tour and perform with the CQCM Jazz Orchestra, and once again provide our students with invaluable industry experience.
“This grant is a splendid demonstration of a strong and valuable partnership between ABC Local Radio, the CQCM and Central Queensland University.
“We are pleased and grateful for this long-standing relationship with the ABC which has seen four such tours featuring headline artists including Don Burrows, Kevin Hunt and Don Rader, take place since 2001.
This is a good sign that funding for the Jazz Tour will continue and that we will be able to provide top class entertainment of the highest quality wherever we go on tour”.
The 8-day tour takes in venues from around Queensland commencing on Hamilton Island then moving South to Mackay, Emerald, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Bundaberg, Noosa and finally the Gold Coast.
“ABC funding for headliners will really add to this tour and that’s all part and parcel of how these types of tours can become more successful,” said Professor Mienczakowski.
“We hope this tour will become an annual feature of the CQCM Jazz calendar, if circumstances allow, and we also hope that future tours may be Australia wide”.
CQCM Jazz Studies Coordinator Glen Hodges is currently on academic exchange to the United States, however on his return he will commence organising the tour with fellow lecturer Derrin Kerr.
According to Professor Mienczakowski: “This grant money will be gratefully received by Glen and Derrin, and despite the enormous amount of work and travel involved, we expect the CQCM Jazz Studies students will be jostling for a spot on the tour".
The 2006 ABC/CQCM Jazz Tour will run from June 10 - 18 at venues around the state, so .... stay tuned.
Photo above: Director of the CQCM, Professor Jim Mienczakowski believes the ABC grant of $34,000 is a splendid demonstration of a strong and valuable partnership between ABC Local Radio, the CQCM and Central Queensland University.
Photo caption (Jazz Dudes): Some of the CQCM Jazz Studies students who will participate in the 2006 ABC/CQCM Jazz Tour.