In 2006, the Australia Council for the Arts provided Musica Viva with financial assistance to establish Music for Life (titled Sweet Tonic in 2007/08 by the participants) in collaboration with Campbelltown Arts Centre.
The 30 participants in the first year of the program ranged in age from 51 to 83 and represented 15 suburbs across the Camden, Wollondilly and Campbelltown Local Government. Most participants had little musical education: 63% had either no musical education, or only that provided at school.
The 2006 – 2008 Music for Life project had three areas of focus: workshops, performances, and research. The workshop component involved both music training and physical exercises over 30 weeks to enhance the participants’ singing capacity. All these components aimed to connect the community through music. The uniqueness of this program lies in the collaboration between the two supporting partners and the musical and physical challenges for participants.
Music for Life recently received additional funds from the Australia Council for the Arts to migrate the project to other centres across the country.
In 2009, Music for Life has already started in Mandurah, Western Australia and planning is well underway to start groups in Brisbane and regional NSW.
Stay tuned for updates on the national program launch and workshops in your area.
If you are interested in participating in the program contact Jenny Ainsworth – Creativity and Ageing Manager.