The Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) invites instrumentalists and singers everywhere to be a part of the biggest orchestra in Australia.
AMEB have announces that I am Australian (written by Bruce Woodley AO and Dobe Newton) is the chosen song for the 2019 AMEB Online Orchestra. This follows the success of last year’s launch during the centenary of AMEB, where nearly 2000 individuals submitted a recording of Waltzing Matilda. This year’s AMEB Online Orchestra promises to be bigger and better.
“I am delighted that AMEB have chosen my song I am Australian to be arranged in various instrumental formats for the ongoing musical education of young Australians,” said Ambassador, Bruce Woodley AO. “I am sure that the musical arrangements will do justice to the song and look forward to hearing them played.”
“The best description of my song I have ever heard was that it was “a big pot of glue” helping bring many diverse cultures together, to the exclusion of no one. The AMEB musical arrangements are another important expression of that important idea.”
AMEB invites musicians from Australia and around the world to participate, if you can play an instrument or sing, you can be part of the biggest orchestra in Australia. Videos can be filmed on beaches, river banks, in paddocks, lounge rooms and studios so regardless of where you live, or how long you’ve been playing, you can be part of this unique event.
“AMEB Head of Publishing Steve Hodgson had the vision for this project last year,” said Bernard Depasquale CEO AMEB. “We were overwhelmed by the response, this year we know it will be embraced further and wider. The beauty of the AMEB Online Orchestra is that it is all inclusive regardless of musical ability and brings people together. It demonstrates all that is best about the AMEB community.”
Entries are now open – participants including individuals, schools and community groups will be able to download the music arrangement, including parts for a wide range of instruments and various skill levels, rehearse and record their performance. Videos need to be uploaded by 16 August 2019.
AMEB will then combine all the clips to create one impressive virtual performance of I am Australian. This year the AMEB Online Orchestra Ambassador and conductor is Jessica Gethin, Chief Conductor of the Perth Symphony Orchestra.
For more information about the AMEB Online Orchestra, visit: www.onlineorchestra.ameb.edu.au for details.
Image: Buderim String Orchestra were participants in the 2018 AMEB Online Orchestra – courtesy of AMEB