Applications open for Queensland music awards
Published Wednesday, 18 February, 2009 at 05:30 AM
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
The memory of two Queensland music greats lives on with applications now open for the annual Grant McLennan Memorial Fellowship and Billy Thorpe Scholarship.
Arts Minister Rod Welford encouraged Queensland musicians to apply for the two prestigious awards.
“A songwriter or songwriting team will spend time in one of the world’s cultural hotspots thanks to the Grant McLennan Memorial Fellowship,” Mr Welford said.
“The $20,000 fellowship, established in 2007 in memory of the late singer-songwriter Grant McLennan, gives the winner an opportunity to live in London, New York or Berlin for up to two months to further develop their craft.
“These three cities were artistically important to Grant McLennan and had a lasting impact on his songwriting and career.
“Last year’s winners, songwriting duo Chris Dale and John Busby of Brisbane band Halfway, have just returned from London where they drew inspiration from the culture of this vibrant city.”
Grant McLennan died in 2006, and was one of Australia’s greatest songwriters and a founding member of the internationally successful Brisbane band The Go-Betweens.
Mr Welford said the $10,000 Billy Thorpe Scholarship would help an emerging Queensland-based musician to break into the industry.
“Billy passed away in 2007, and awarding a scholarship in his name to an up-and-coming artist honours his enormous contribution to Australian music,” he said.
“Billy Thorpe spent his formative years in Queensland and made a significant contribution to the music industry over five decades of performing, writing and producing.
“In addition to a cash scholarship, the winner will record tracks with an established producer, prepare a professional career strategy, and meet representatives from Chugg Entertainment – Billy Thorpe’s long-term management team.
“The winner of the inaugural Billy Thorpe Scholarship in 2008, Michael Gavriel is making the right contacts and is well on his way to becoming a professional musician.”
The Billy Thorpe Scholarship, developed in consultation with the Thorpe family and Chugg Entertainment, and the Grant McLennan Memorial Fellowship, developed in consultation with The Go-Betweens co-founder Robert Forster and the McLennan family, are administered by Arts Queensland.
Applications for both awards close 31 March. For guidelines and applications, visit the Arts Queensland website www.arts.qld.gov.au or call (07) 3224 4896 or 1800 175 531.
Media contact: Emma Clarey or Jo Crompton on 3237 1000
Arts Minister Rod Welford encouraged Queensland musicians to apply for the two prestigious awards.
“A songwriter or songwriting team will spend time in one of the world’s cultural hotspots thanks to the Grant McLennan Memorial Fellowship,” Mr Welford said.
“The $20,000 fellowship, established in 2007 in memory of the late singer-songwriter Grant McLennan, gives the winner an opportunity to live in London, New York or Berlin for up to two months to further develop their craft.
“These three cities were artistically important to Grant McLennan and had a lasting impact on his songwriting and career.
“Last year’s winners, songwriting duo Chris Dale and John Busby of Brisbane band Halfway, have just returned from London where they drew inspiration from the culture of this vibrant city.”
Grant McLennan died in 2006, and was one of Australia’s greatest songwriters and a founding member of the internationally successful Brisbane band The Go-Betweens.
Mr Welford said the $10,000 Billy Thorpe Scholarship would help an emerging Queensland-based musician to break into the industry.
“Billy passed away in 2007, and awarding a scholarship in his name to an up-and-coming artist honours his enormous contribution to Australian music,” he said.
“Billy Thorpe spent his formative years in Queensland and made a significant contribution to the music industry over five decades of performing, writing and producing.
“In addition to a cash scholarship, the winner will record tracks with an established producer, prepare a professional career strategy, and meet representatives from Chugg Entertainment – Billy Thorpe’s long-term management team.
“The winner of the inaugural Billy Thorpe Scholarship in 2008, Michael Gavriel is making the right contacts and is well on his way to becoming a professional musician.”
The Billy Thorpe Scholarship, developed in consultation with the Thorpe family and Chugg Entertainment, and the Grant McLennan Memorial Fellowship, developed in consultation with The Go-Betweens co-founder Robert Forster and the McLennan family, are administered by Arts Queensland.
Applications for both awards close 31 March. For guidelines and applications, visit the Arts Queensland website www.arts.qld.gov.au or call (07) 3224 4896 or 1800 175 531.
Media contact: Emma Clarey or Jo Crompton on 3237 1000