By Michael Doran
Exams are well behind most students but four Upper Yarra teenagers are about to put their work on display and face the music in a very public way. They have been working on the organisation and production of ‘Tender Tonalities and Mysterious Melodies’, the launch event for the 2019 River Folk Festival.
The four, Adam, Ollie, Safin and Tali, make up the Upper Yarra Youth Events Team, and will be putting into practice what they have learnt from a ‘Youth Events Management’ program. Coordinator Sam Watson says the group has been working together since December and that there has been nothing theoretical about what they have been doing.
“We received a grant from Yarra Ranges Council last year to do a program called ‘Youth Events Management and Music Mentoring’ and we did the mentoring part during the 2018 River Folk Festival.
“We paired up three young musicians to spend time with and be mentored by professional performers who were playing at the festival. These three got to play a set onstage, which was a great way for them to get the feel of live performing.
“The events management part was put together on the basis of the students learning and then doing as the five weeks progressed. They have worked on everything related to getting this event organised, including funding, sponsorship, artistic programming, insurances, risk management and all the technical aspects. It is all their own work and they will be running the event on the night.
Featuring will be award-winning international songstress Dana Sipos from Canada and Melbourne folk duo, Charm of Finches. A collection of young, local talent will be presented under the banner of Upper Yarra Emerging Artist Showcase and making their debut will be local trio Amarelo, comprising siblings Jayda, Tali and Safin.
Tali and Safin are part of the event organising team and Tali designed the colourful flyer promoting the night.
Jayda Holman won the Year 7- 8 category in the Australian Children’s Music Foundation National Songwriting Competition in 2018 and with her siblings performs in the family band, ‘Woody’s World’.
The event is on Saturday 16 February from 6-10pm at St. Mary’s Church in Warburton. Tickets at the door are Adult $25, Concession $15 and Under 18 free.
