Partners
The Jazz & Popular music area teh Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) has built many important partnerships with relevant groups, businesses and institutions. These partnerships have not only helped to overcome some of the problems faced by being located in a regional area but have been so successful that many are now being viewed as models that may well set the standard for innovative and relevant music performance education.
Hamilton Island Enterprises
Since 2002, the CQCM Jazz & Popular music area has maintained a partnership with Hamilton Island Enterprises (HIE). This exciting partnership involves the jazz and popular music students taking up residency on the island four times each year for periods of up to five days. Students enjoy classes each morning with a visiting artist, performing each afternoon and evening at venues across the island. In return the island provides first class accommodation and meals at no cost to students and facilities for the delivery of educational programs. The blending of education and industry experience at one of Australia’s premier tourism destinations is unique and has received much attention and praise from national and international jazz educators as an innovative model for training jazz artists.
The unqueness of this project was recognized in 2006 when lecturer Derrin Kerr was invitated to talk about the project at the annual International Association of Schools of Jazz Conference at the University of Louisville, USA. This was followed by a publication of an article on the project in the December 2006 issue of theJazz Education Journal, the journal of the International Association of Jazz Educators. The article, An Unlikely Symbiotic Relationship: A Unique Jazz Education - Island Resort Partnership can be found at http://www.iaje.org/issue.asp?IssueID=47
University of Richmond , Virginia
For the last three years UR Professor, Michael Davison has bought a team of student performers to Queensland to work with CQCM Jazz & Popular. These visits have involved collaborative concerts, teaching sessions, workshops and industry experience on Hamilton Island. Discussions are underway to expand the partnership to include exchanges, more frequent visits (including tours) and collaborative expansion of the Hamilton Island industry training model for which Professor Davison has been an advisor.
Clarion Hotel – Mackay Marina
This five star accommodation and function center is working with CQCM Jazz & Popular to develop a cultural precinct at the new Mackay Marina and estate complex. Not only is this partnership enlivening the local entertainment scene but a number of special events are being planned that will impact the wider community and enrich the cultural life of Mackay.
ABC Local Radio
The Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music has had a strong relationship with ABC Local Radio since 2002. The Don Burrows tribute tour saw the two organizations work together, the jazz department providing first class concerts with Don Burrows, Don Rader and Kevin Hunt; and the ABC contributing to the promotion of the concerts, two live to air broadcasts and a story on 'Stateline', ABC television. This event was extremely successful with its sequel presented in June/July of 2003. A statewide tour featuring singer/entertainer Grace Knight supported by the CQCM Jazz Orchestra with Don Rader and Sharny Russell.
Links with ABC were further strengthened by CQCM Jazz's close association with Ross Quinn. Ross is the retired ABC Regional Manager Rockhampton/Gladstonewho coordinated the ABC’s contribution to the three previous CQCM Jazz tours and has taken up a position as Honorary Professor at CQU. Ross continues to work to develop the ABC partnership with major ongoing projects. In 2006 a further collaborative event took place in a third statewide tour, this time featuring singing sensation Vince Jones along with saxophonist Graham Jesse.
ABC Tropical North
For many years the CQCM has worked colaboratively with ABC Tropical North, Macakay's local ABC station. This has included the presentation of a variety of public concerts featuring performances from CQCM students and staff, promoted by ABC Tropical North. The CQCM is grateful to ABC Tropic North for its ongoing support and promotion of Conservatorium activities.
QR
The Jazz Department at the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music would like to acknowledge and thank QR for their sponsorship of the 2003 CQCM Jazz Orchestra Queensland Tour. This event featured International jazz artists Grace Knight supported by the CQCM Jazz Orchestra with Don Rader (trumpet) and Sharny Russell (voice). The touring party traveled by rail including most of the legs on the new Tilt Train.
Graeme Connors
Graeme Connors is one of Australia’s premier singer songwriters who has taught courses in song-writing and composition for CQCM students enrolled in the Bachelor of Music program. For more information go to http://www.teamworkproductions.com.au/connorsbio.htm
DVD recorded: CQU news item on the recording of Graeme Connors DVD. http://www.cqcmnews.cqu.edu.au/story.php?ra=1120626630&ID=179