CDU concerts deliver relief across Australia

Music is being live-streamed from the Charles Darwin University theatre into homes around the world.

With a new artist performing each week, the online gigs will bring much needed musical relief to local households and provide musicians with an opportunity to continue performing.

Devised by Technical Production Lecturer Michael Vernau, who runs the Certificate IV in Live Production and Technical Services, the concerts are using the musical talents, technical skills and performance facilities of the university.

“These concerts have been running for a number of years as part of our live production course, but this is the first time we have live-streamed the concerts for the wider public to enjoy,” Mr Vernau said.

“The weekly live-streamed concerts are our way of bringing musical relief to our community and will give local musicians a chance to keep performing.”

Lecturer in Contemporary Music and resident guitarist, Francis Diatschenko, was the first musician to perform from the Casuarina campus theatre.

“Our local (Darwin) music scene is alive and kicking with innovative ideas and new ways of performing for the public,” Mr Diatschenko said. “At CDU it’s no different and we are doing everything we can to support our talented artists.

“People who tune into the CDU concerts can expect to hear from a big variety of artists and musical talents.”

Vocal Lecturer Paolo Fabris said music was more important than ever for the wellbeing of individuals, families and communities.

“Music is one of the best ways to create harmony within a family, neighbourhood or community,” Mr Fabris said. “Music doesn’t need a language, it is a language. With just a few notes you can really make people happy.”

He said 2020 could be the perfect time for Aussies to rediscover their passion for music or seek out new musical experiences.

“We are seeing some ingenious ways of sharing music with others,” he said. “Streamed concerts are quite incredible; you can play music from your lounge room and have someone enjoy that performance from their lounge room on the other side of the world.”

The concerts will be held weekly from 12 noon to 1pm ACST, normally on a Thursday. To keep up to date with concert days and times follow the College of Indigenous Futures, Arts and Society on Facebook or visit YouTube.