Music Centre to start year on high note

The newly appointed Director of Charles Darwin University’s Centre for Youth and Community Music says it will be “business as usual” in 2014.

Paolo Fabris, who assumed directorship of the centre this week, said the doors were about to open and that one-on-one lessons would start on Tuesday 28 January and ensemble programs on Saturday 1 February.

“I want to make it clear to people that the centre is not shutting down,” Mr Fabris said.

“To the contrary, the vision is for a bigger, better and more vibrant venue in which youth and adults alike will receive musical tuition and encouragement.

“The challenge is to exceed the community’s expectations for a lively, high-quality space where our city’s musicians can pursue their passion to their full potential.”

Mr Fabris said that new administrative practices and a higher degree of structure would characterise the centre’s new business model.

“Students will need to enrol each term before the enrolment period closes,” he said.

“This has not been the practice in the past, but as we seek to grow the centre and enhance efficiencies it has become evident that enrolments are necessary.

“We are taking enrolments for Term One now until Friday 31 January,” he said.

Mr Fabris, an accomplished actor, singer and vocal coach who lecturers at both CDU and at Harvard University in the United States, said the centre would provide one-on-one lessons for almost any instrument.

“We will continue to run all our usual adult ensemble programs like the Darwin Youth Orchestra, the Advanced Chamber Ensemble and the Baroque Ensemble and many more.

“Plans are in motion to deliver a new musical theatre course, hopefully from Term Two,” he said.

Mr Fabris said he was looking forward to the start of the year immediately following the Australia Day Holiday next week.

“I am excited about meeting some new students as well as many of last year’s students,” he said.