AMBITIOUS MUSIC FESTIVAL KICKS OFF AT SUNRISE

A sunrise concert in Winton tomorrow morning (13 July) will mark the opening of one of Queensland’s most popular and ambitious musical events – the Queensland Music Festival.

Arts Minister Rod Welford said more than 1000 performers would participate in this year’s festival, with 40 events in 20 communities around the state from 13-29 July.

“The festival will kick off with a sunrise concert in the outback, featuring acclaimed didgeridoo player William Barton, singer-songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke, the African Children’s Choir and local Winton musicians, “ Mr Welford said.

“Artistic director of the festival and jazz legend Paul Grabowsky, will also be performing.

“The harmony of many voices sounding throughout Queensland’s outback at sunrise will be the perfect start for this magical event.”

Mr Welford said the biennial festival was more popular than ever, and was expected to reach audiences of more than 100,000 this year.

“With $3.25 million in State Government funding, this festival aspires to unite Queenslanders by celebrating the spirit, language and universality of music,” he said.

“The Queensland Music Festival is distinctive for its ongoing commitment to creating events which reflect the characteristics and histories of local regions.

“For example, Red Cap - an original music theatre event presented in Mount Isa and Brisbane - is based on the historic 1964-65 miners’ dispute and the Mount Isa community’s triumph over authoritarianism.

“Ten communities will participate for the first time this year as the festival extends its reach to Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Gold Coast, Gympie, Innisfail, Logan, Longreach and Rockhampton.

“There’s opera at Jimbour, songwriting workshops in Gympie, a ship-shaped musical playground at Cooktown, while the African Children’s Choir will perform in Winton, Moranbah, Townsville and Brisbane.”

Other highlights include The Love of the Nightingale, a new operatic work by Australian composer Richard Mills, and Pig City, inspired by the groundbreaking 2004 book which charts Brisbane’s contemporary musical history against its political backdrop.

For a full copy of the 2007 Queensland Music Festival program visit www.qmf.org.au