Winanjjikari 2009 Music Employment Program

The name Singing for Belonging says it all, with the musicians from the Winanjjikari Music Centre representing a variety of different Aboriginal languages from across the Barkly Region, yet working together in harmony and presenting their diverse stories and background with original music.

Already, two bands, The Storm Riders and the Sandridge Band, who honed their skills through the Winanjjikari Music Centres Outreach Program, have been nominated for the prestigious Indigenous Music Awards 2009 in Darwin on Friday, August 21. Founding members of the Winanjjikari Music Centre, The Tableland Drifters, also hope to be inducted into the Indigenous Music Awards Hall of Fame for 25 years of service to the Barkly music industry.

Established as a music training and recording centre on September 9th, 2006, the Winanjjikari Music Centre is one of Australias first and most successful Shared Responsibility Agreements (SRA) designed to teach and assist Barkly musicians in developing their skills as musicians and in music production. In co-operation with Barkly Regional Arts, the Winanjjikari Music Centre also has ten permanent part-time employees who are advancing their skills as both musicians and production technicians.

In January this year, the Winanjjikari Music Centre started an Outreach Program that services six remote Barkly Communities with the generous contribution from the Christensen Foundation in the United States. The Outreach Program helps develop musicians networks, promotes the services and accessibility of the Music Centre, establishes important community contacts and assists with putting touring circuits in place for bands. In particular, remotely located young people get to work with experienced Aboriginal musicians as role models and mentors.

Along with this development, the Winanjjikari Music Centre has also liaised with Tourism NT in marketing the music centre as an opportunity for visitors to engage with local Aboriginal people, listen to live contemporary Aboriginal music and speak to the musicians about their culture and history. It provides a profound grass-roots cultural experience that perfectly fits the targeted Spirited Travellers, who visit the Northern Territory to experience traditional and contemporary Aboriginal culture.

CDs from bands who have recorded work at the Winanjjikari Music Centre are also available for sale, providing visitors with a wonderful souvenir of their time in the Barkly.

Outreach Program Coordinator at the Winanjjikari Music Centre is Jeffrey McLaughlin. Visit our pod-cast site www.winanjjikari.podomatic.com, or for further information email Jeffrey at winanjjikari@barklyarts.com.au or contact Barkly Arts Publicity/Project Officer Ktima Heathcote on (08) 8962 2799 or email her at admin@barklyarts.com.au

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[wmcmanager]

Good positive music and message. You are creating something wonderful and unique.

[Lecia007]

You guys rock! I wish I could have jammed longer. how are the recordings going?