Arts Narrogin and Perth Symphony Orchestra to launch community music program after securing $157k grant

Musicians in the southern Wheatbelt will have the chance to play alongside Perth Symphony Orchestra performers after the orchestra partnered with Arts Narrogin to launch a community music program. The two organisations joined forces to launch their Green Shoots initiative, which aims to uncover musical talent to form ensembles and produce a series of concerts alongside PSO musicians. The program is funded by a $157,000 Lotterywest grant and will kick off in January 2023. PSO chief executive Catherine Henwood said the Green Shoots program aimed to revitalise community music. “Green Shoots is an exciting new initiative that brings local people together into community music groups with the opportunity to work alongside musicians from PSO,” she said. “Thanks to Lotterywest and Arts Narrogin, we aim to create a sustainable music culture for and with the people of Narrogin, developing creative community performance programs and building cultural experiences in the Shire of Narrogin.” “PSO and Arts Narrogin will bring the community together to build strong relationships through music.” The program will be open to people of all ages and musical abilities and will run in the local schools and across venues in Narrogin. Ms Henwood said the PSO musicians would coach, mentor and teach budding and established musicians from across the district. “Working with the wonderful people at Arts Narrogin we will support local homegrown talent,” she said. “PSO will be supporting the development of local musicians, be they beginner ukulele players, lapsed guitarists, rock bands, choirs within schools or community choirs. “As well as the support through the year with online and in-person workshops, we will also provide performance platforms throughout the year.” The program will culminate with a finale concert showcasing the talent of local and PSO musicians in November 2023. “In true Narrogin style, the final concert will be set on a farm within an arena of hay bales,” Ms Henwood said. “Local Narrogin community members will perform side-by-side with the Perth Symphony Orchestra. “We want this to be become an annual highlight for the region, increasing tourism and supporting the health and wellbeing of the entire community.” Arts Narrogin events manager Brad Flett said the program was a great opportunity for local musicians to hone their skills. “We at Arts Narrogin are absolutely thrilled to be involved in this amazing project for the Narrogin community and surrounding district,” he said. “The search and discovery of talent is going to be exciting and wonderful to be a part of. “We are looking forward to this project and the ongoing work with the awesome team and musicians at the PSO.”