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Tamworth Camerata 2002.
YET ANOTHER CAMERATA SUCCESS
Talented Gunnedah, NSW based performer Katrina Burgoyne had planned to re-apply to Tamworth Camerata 2003, having graduated from the 2002 course. BUT now thanks to the Tamworth Songwriters Association (TSA), it’s not necessary. The TSA has come forward as the newest organization to support Australia’s first ever Country Music school for young performers aged 17 years and younger. Congratulations Katrina!
 
The inaugural Tamworth Camerata was staged in Tamworth last July, and the TSA’s president Bev Daniel and vice-president Ron Daniel were invited to represent LBS Music (a sponsor) at the Sponsors Finale concert at Southgate Inn.
 
"We came away from that concert absolutely amazed at the wealth of young talent out there" Mrs Daniel said. "Ron and I agreed the TSA should become involved with Camerata, particularly as it has a very strong songwriting component, which is after all what TSA is all about. There would be no industry without the songwriters, as our motto "first the song" so aptly states. And there would be no industry without people and organisations encouraging our young writers and singers to further their studies…through courses such as Tamworth Camerata."

Tamworth Camerata runs for Saturday 5th July till the 10th, and will utilise the excellent facilities of the Douglas family hotel venues – The Pub, Southgate Inn and The Family Hotel.

More details available from the website: www.thepub.com.au/camerata

TAMWORTH CAMERATA 2002 GRADUATE WINS PRESTIGIOUS SONGWRITING AWARD
 
Tamworth Camerata 2002 graduate Sara Downs, from Mt Gambier, South Australia has won the 2003 RUDY BRANDSMA AWARD, a perpetual songwriting award presented yearly since 1997 by the Australian Songwriters Association.

In the Ausmusic/Youth category Sara's original songs - "Life Mundane", "Oblivion" and "Why You"
collectively earn't her the Rudy Brandsma Award, an over-all award for excellence in songwriting, and is awarded to a member who demonstrates outstanding potential.

All entries submitted by Australian Songwriters Association members are eligible for this award, and as there were over 2000 entries this year, Saras win is quite remarkable, as she is just 16 years old.

The very welcome prize is $500 cash, a trophy and a Maton M225 Acoustic Guitar, sponsored by Maton guitars. Sara will undoubtedly put this prize to very good use.

More Information about the ASA national songwriters contest, along with past and present winners can be found at; http://www.asai.org.au

As a result of this fantastic win, Sara has now been invited to perform at the Australian Songwriters Association's Awards Night to be held at the Gaelic Club in Sydney on May 4.

Sara is a gifted natural songwriter, but her attendance at Tamworth Camerata 2002 would surely have helped her songwriting skills, as Camerata has a very strong songwriting focus. This is the yearly youth Country Music school held in Tamworth in July for young performers/writers 17 years and under.

For more details on Tamworth Camerata check out the website: www.thepub.com.au/camerata

Tamworth Camerata is justly proud of Sara Downs achievements, and they are added to the huge list of graduates progress since July 2002. Congratulations!!

Camerata success from New Zealand graduate 2002
Camerata Graduate from New Zealand Cameron Clayton won the Nelson Country Music Awards in 2002, which included $1200 cash and 25 hours recording time at a Wakefield recording studio (45 minutes south of Nelson, South Island).
The studio owner, a perfectionist, has to his credit recorded a number of tracks for Lord of the Rings movie and recorded a number of the Bee Gees CD’s in the U.K. before he emigrated to New Zealand.
Cameron has just completed an 8 track CD, the recording component of his prize. It should be available in about 6 weeks.
Never idle, Cameron entered a couple of sections at the Sun City Country Music awards while in the South Island, and won the Western section & Duo (with Krista Thomson).
He’s off to Norfolk Island in May as one of the Guests in the 10th Anniversary of the winners of the TransTasman Country Music awards, where he’ll appear on the bill with Australian performers Darren Cogan and Brendan Walmsley, also past winners.
Cameron will commence his Bachelor of Performing Arts degree from February 2004.
Cameron is a credit to Camerata’s high standards, and is living proof of the benefits of attendance at Camerata.
Watch for this young man in the future – Cameron Clayton
 
MORE GOOD NEWS!
JUNIOR winner of the 22 year old Kmart Jazzer Smith Memorial Talent Quest, 14 year old Penelope Somerville from Bendigo, has been given the opportunity to return for the second annual Tamworth Camerata, Australia's first ever country music school for performers 17 years and younger.

Donna Marks, the new owner of Tamworths Axiom Entertainment Agency, was keen to continue Axiom's sponsorship of a Camerata student, which the agency's previous owners took up last year for the inaugural event.
"I know just how well some industry people in other areas get behind their young talent, and it seems we in New South Wales need to keep lifting our game in that area," Donna said.
"Taking an active role supporting young talent like you see at Camerata is a great way we can put something back into the entertainment industry."

KMarts Talent quest coordinator Greg Williams, is also the Tamworth Camerata coordinator and uses every opportunity he can to help promote our up and coming stars.
"I see these kids on stage and know the potential is there," Greg said.
"All they need is a little polish, some good direction and as you can judge by the results of last year's Camerata, our graduates are all winners.
"Camerata students have taken out the top placings in every major talent quest in Australia, and that's a great indication of how well the concept works."

The best part for Donna and the Axiom crew is, like all Camerata sponsors, they will get to establish a connection with the student they're sponsoring into the school. A very satisfying result of Axioms support is that last years Axiom/Camerata scholarship recipient Aleyce Simmonds went on to win the Open section of the Kmart Jazzer Smith Memorial Talent Quest 2003.

"It's a unique concept and one that has worked tremendously well," Greg said.
"Some firm friendships were forged at last year's Camerata between students and their sponsors, and they keep in touch regularly by letter, phone and e-mail.
"It will be very exciting when these young stars start winning awards like the much prized Golden Guitars. Imagine the pride of their sponsors knowing it was them who gave that youngster their first big break in the business."

In fact, that has already started to happen, as Camerata graduate Michael Muchow was part of Michael Fix’s 2003 Golden Guitar win, and he walked onto that big stage proudly in January.

Other notable recent successes have been in Western Australia. At the Boyup brook/GWN W.A. Country Music awards Camerata 2002 graduates Lauren Brede won the title of Best Junior Songwriter, and Ashlee Mitchell won Best Country Junior, gaining entry into 2003 CMAA Country Music College next January in Tamworth.
Tamworth Camerata 2003 will run from Saturday, July 5 to Thursday, July 10. Applications for students close at the end of March. More details on Tamworth Camerata can be obtained at the website, www.thepub.com.au/camerata

Tamworth Camerata 2003 applications closing soon
Tamworth Camerata is Australia’s first ever Country Music school for young performers 17 years and younger.
This is a six day live in course for students and parent/guardian, drawing the best and keenest young Australasian performers.
Camerata 2002 graduates have blitzed the talent quest scene Australia wide in 2002 and 2003.
Applications are closing very soon – March 31, 2003.
The Tamworth Camerata 2003 runs from Saturday, July 5 through to Thursday, July 10.
For more detail log on to the Tamworth Camerata website, www.thepub.com.au/camerata
If you or someone you know would be interested in further details.
Phone Joan Douglas (02) 6765 7999 or Greg Williams 0408 255 908.
 
Tamworth Camerata 2003 entries closing soon

THERE was never much doubt that Tamworth Camerata, Australia’s first ever country music school for juniors 17 and younger, would be a success. However Organisers Joan Douglas and Greg Williams were more than delighted as news began filtering through of major talent quest victories and career boosts for many of the inaugural Camerata class of 2002.

Sponsors’ and organisers’ faith in the venture was proven soundly with the Camerata blitz of the CCMA Junior Winter talent Quest following straight after Camerata finished, where the BIG winner was Aleyce Simmonds, and Camerata students filled many of the placing of most sections.

Toyoya Gympie National Country Music Muster’s Year of the Outback Star Search in August 2002, where Brooke Schubert won the Open section major prize. Picker/singer Daniel Conway won the Junior section, with 2nd and 3rd going to Christie Davis and Victoria Baillie. Corinne Whitman won the Country Rock section and Scarlett Ryan won the Juvenile section.

This wonderful success was followed by the Top of the State Talent Quest at Mildura, where Victoria Baillie won the Victorian Champion of Champions competition, and Shanna Zibell won the Junior section, and Penelope Somerville won the Juvenile section.

Queensland’s Champion of Champions was won by Aaron Bolton, winning a Toyota Star Maker berth, and a CMAA College position, and Christie Davis won the Junior section.

There were other success stories, and more will obviously happen, such as the acceptance into CMAA College of Camerata graduates Aaron Bolton, Michael Muchow (who is attending the Queensland Conservatorium of Music this year), Brooke Schubert and Andrew Sellars.

Tamworth’s Bailey family – Charlene, Crystal and Kurt and together with Lindsay Dallas were selected for inclusion in the prestigious NSW Talent Development Project – a program that has helped shape the careers of artists such as Brooke McClymont, Felicity, Darren Coggan and many more. The fifth member of The Baileys Band, Daniel Conway, has also been admitted to the TDP, and all five are enjoying the huge learning curve the program affords young performers.

Entry into Tamworth Camerata 2003, is closing shortly – March 31, 2003, and there are quite a few refinements to the course, one of which is an extension by one day, to a 6 day live in course for student and parent/guardian.

The Tamworth Camerata 2003 runs from Saturday, July 5 through to Thursday, July 10.
For more entry detail log on to the Tamworth Camerata website, www.thepub.com.au/camerata.
There you will learn about the course content, its first class facilities, tutors, guest speakers and more.
If you’d like further details about Tamworth Camerata 2003, phone (02) 6765 7999 or 0408 255 908.
YOUNG COUNTRY STARS 2003
This Concert will be excellent!
It’s presented by Tamworth Camerata’s Coordinator - Greg Williams, for the fourth consecutive year.
It’s at THE PUB
This year it’s at a new time- Saturday 25th January, at NOON.
The 2003 Young Country Stars are:-
Penelope Somerville – Camerata 2002 graduate, Victorian, fiddle player/singer
Ben Hazell - Camerata 2002 graduate, Tamworth award-winning singer/songwriter
Scarlett Ryan - Camerata 2002 graduate, young exciting Queensland performer
Daniel Conway - Camerata 2002 graduate, Hot picker/singer, ex Queensland, now Tamworth
Aleyce Simmonds - Camerata 2002 graduate, Tamworths big winner talent quests
Aaron Bolton - Camerata 2002 graduate, NSW award-winning singer/songwriter
Cameron Clayton - Camerata 2002 graduate, exciting award-winning NZ singer
Shanna Zibell - Camerata 2002 graduate, Award-winning Victorian singer
Michael Muchow - Camerata 2002 graduate, Queensland Award Winning Singer/Guitarist
Hailey Burgess – Award winning singer from Victoria
Brooke Schubert - Camerata 2002 graduate, Gympie Muster Grand prize winner 2002
All Young Country Stars backed by a great band:
Les Scott (Guitar)
Terry Phillpot (Drums)
Mark Moulynox (Pedal Steel, Dobro and Banjo)
Greg Franks (Bass)
YOU’LL KICK YOURSELF IF YOU MISS THIS SHOW!
Camerata applications coming in

TAMWORTH Camerata is one of those rare schools where its students count the days until class begins and don’t want the learning day to end.

Since the concept of this junior Country Music school was launched in Tamworth in 2001 at The Pub, and the 2002 school succeeded so brilliantly, applications are now being accepted from young performers throughout Australia and New Zealand.

From those applications, and via a series of scholarships, 21 students will be chosen to make up the second Tamworth Camerata, class of 2003, which begins on Saturday, July 5.

The first of its kind staged in the Australian Country Music Capital, the Camerata is also a national first. Its aim is to foster excellence from an early age, ensuring the Country Music industry of tomorrow is one that’s well serviced by talented individuals.

"For far too long, talented young performers have progressed through Country Music talent quests only to lose direction and inspiration between the ages of 13 and 17," said Camerata co-founder Greg Williams.

"Having recognised this fact, we offer at Tamworth Camerata an environment that carefully and correctly nurtures these talented young people, who will lead the Country Music industry of tomorrow. We also welcome parental involvement, and tailor sections of the course especially for them."

Over six days students, and parents, will be taught applicable aspects of live performance and presentation skills from industry professionals, culminating in a graduation concert on the final night in the Scully Room of Southgate Inn.

Tutors and special guests in 2002 included Beccy Cole, Dobe Newton, Roger Corbett, Lyn Bowtell, Nash Chambers, Tamara Stewart, Clare O’Meara, Stuart French, Michel Rose, Doug Gallacher, Ian Lees, Mark Moulynox and Kedron Taylor, many of whom have major roles in January’s CMAA Australian College of Country Music, staged for students 17 years and over.

For further information, contact Joan Douglas on 0417 233 713 or Greg Williams on 0408 255 908. WEBSITE: www.thepub.com.au/camerata

 

Click Here for Camerata Photos at "The Pub"  http://www.thepub.com.au/camerata
 
MUSIC SCHOOL A SUCCESS
 Young Newcastle country music entertainer Josh Canning has just returned from the inaugural TAMWORTH CAMERATA. Josh was selected from applicants from all around Australia and New Zealand and was the only Newcastle / Hunter Valley artist to be invited to join with 30 others.
 The Tamworth Camerata is a formal annual Country Music school for young performers aged 17 or younger, Australasia wide, wishing to pursue a career in the Country Music Industry. The school involved 5 days of extensive workshops with key personnel from the Australian Country Music Industry, allowing students the opportunity to interact with peers and to establish valuable networking contacts for the future. Among those involved were Lyn Bowtell, Beccy Cole, Stuart French, Dobe Newton, Roger Corbett, Kedron Taylor, Mark Moulynox, Anna Rose, Joan Douglas, Greg Williams, Clare O’Meara and The Feral Swing Cats.
     17 year old Josh says it was a hectic time with various classes every morning, afternoon and night for 5 days solid, culminating in 2 high quality well attended concerts. Josh was chosen to compere his groups’ performance and says he has benefited enormously from the overall experience.
     Most performers stayed on for the CCMA talent quest and when Josh secured a gig at Tamworth’s City Tavern on the Saturday night, his band and constant stream of Camerata students letting their hair down had the place jumping until the early hours.
Josh's  band was lead Andrew Sellars (South Australia) drums Kurt Bailey (Tamworth) bass Ben Conicella (Ncle) and Josh. He was helped out by young Daniel Conway (Queensland) also on lead, so a good spread !
It really did rock. Most of the Camerata students were still in town and word got around about his gig. Those that were not at the CCMA talent quest were "lined up to sing" making his singer/compare job fairly easy. I think  he sang about 10 at the start, a few in the middle and 6 or so at the end.   The rest was taken up by the cream of Aus and NZ teenage CM performers.   Later in the night as the talent quest awards finished most of the rest came down with their parents and added to the locals to have the FRONT bar of the City Tavern packed with more than 100 people. Josh and co played good rocky stuff and even had people dancing on the carpet. It was after midnight when bar staff called a halt - they would have kept going if they were allowed.      
A reunion charity concert is planned for all of this years’ students on January 20th 2003 during the Tamworth festival.    Almost all involved have indicated their willingness to be involved.
    Josh is soon to record his first C D with well respected Country Music identities Bill Chambers and Audrey Auld. He performs regularly around Newcastle and can be seen any Wednesday night at the highly successful Horseshoe Bend Roundup at the Maitland Ex-Services Bowling club. 

joandouglas@thepub.com.au 

Or gregrwilliams@bigpond.com       For further information please visit THE PUB website:- www.thepub.com.au

Click Here for more Camerata  Photos http://www.thepub.com.au/camerata

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