PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS P. M. No 22/,
PRACTICAL TRAINING FOR YOUNG AUSTRALIAN COMPOSERS
Statement by the Prime Minister, Mr John Gorton
On the advice of the Advisory Board, Commonwealth Assistance to
Australian Composers, four young composers have been select ed to gain advanced
practical experience in the techniques of orchestral and Instrumental writing.
The successful young composers, selected after the project had been
widely advertlsed, are Miss Elaine Doe of Brisbane, Mr. Kim Williams of Sydney and
Mr. V. Plush and Mr. M. Wesley-Smith of Adelaide. The Commonwealth has
provided a grant to cover their travel and accommodation.
The training programme for the young composers includes the
National Music Camp in Adelaide. They will also attend all rehearsals and
performances of the Sydney and Melbourne Prom Concert seasons, and participate in
the workshop programme being arranged by the University of Western Australia and
the Australian Broadcasting Commission in conjunction with the Festival of Perth.
These workshops are to be conducted by the noted Australian composer,
Mr. Don Banks, who is returning from England specially for this purpose,
This scheme should be of great benefit to the young composers. Not
only will they have an opportunity of hearing a number of contemporary works
rehearsed and performed by professional musicians but they will also be able to
have discussions with individual musicians, conductors and composers and receive
guidance on composing for films and television.
CA NBERRA
28 January 1970
BACKGROUND NOTE
The Advisory Board, Commonwealth Assistance to Australian
Composers, comprises Sir Bernard Heinze of Sydney ( Chairman)
Professor Frank Callaway, 0. B. E.
Department of Music,
University of Western Australia
Mr. John Hopkins,
Director of Music, A. B. C. Sydney