1 AMA office: MBE 148/45 Glenferrie Rd Malvern VIC 3144 Ph 03 9527 6658 Fax: 03 9507 2316 AMA website: www.australianmusic.asn.au Music Makers website: www.musicmakers.org.au

NOVEMBER 2009

All around , hundreds of thousands of students, parents and families performed the song 'The Music is Everything’ at the same time. The music and singing rang out in primary and secondary schools, from the Kimberleys to Campbelltown. Why? To celebrate the value of music education for ALL students, as part of the Music Council of Australia’s ‘Music: Count Us In’ national program. In its third year, the program is supported led the countdown with 600 by the Australian Government and runs kids on the steps of , against the backdrop of research which 500 kids from around Victoria performed has found that, despite all its many with Jersey Boys’ star, Bobby Fox and benefits to kids’ development, music Chicago’s Sharon Millerchip and 500 kids education is losing its footing in too many in Darwin rocked the NT Parliament. schools. Aside from the big city signature events, ‘Our aim is to get every school in school communities all over Australia Australia offering a great, quality music celebrated in their own assembly halls, program to its students,” said program town centres, shopping centres, sporting Ambassador, John Foreman, as he hosted ovals and even on buses en route to the live broadcast of the Canberra swimming carnivals! countdown event outside Parliament “What’s so clever about Music: Count Us In House in Canberra with 2000 school kids, two of the four student is that it’s simultaneously huge and intimate,” said John Foreman. There songwriters, Jasmine Johnston and James Lange, and federal Arts aren’t many events that involve half a million people yet include a proud Minister, Peter Garrett. ‘What we want to ask parents, teachers and group of ten students and one teacher in an outback school.” principals to think about is: if there aren’t many musical activities In Canberra, as the of the Royal Military College, Duntroon, hit happening in your school, make it happen! It often takes just one or two the four bar intro and the kids joyously raised their voices, the sun inspired people to make a difference.” shone a little brighter across the whole nation. As you will read inside The Minister extolled the positive impacts of music for all students: this issue of AMTN, Music Makers provides core funding for Music: “The wonderful thing about music is that when you Count Us In. Due to the generosity of the Music Makers contributors, sing in a choir or play music with other people, it’s really good this great event continues to go from strength to strength. for you.” More info about the program at www.musiccountusin.org.au 2 YOUR AMA. WORKING FOR YOU

By CAROL BRANDMAN Co-chair AMAC 2010 AMAC 2009 continued the tradition of an industry coming together for the latest training, product clinics, recognition of excellence and of course, the social interaction that has con- nected our industry and moved us forward. Pre- Registration this year was on target however there was a drop off in retail- er walk ups. Taking the economic climate into consideration, the convention was well supported, returning a modest sur- plus to the Association. Wow what a year! It has been fasten your seat belts with wondering where the economic roller coaster will take you next. It is hard to imagine that It is hard to believe that we are already working on a new for- exactly this time last year our Aussie dollar bought 37% lower US dollars than it does today. Japanese yen was affected too resulting in real confusion for mat for 2010 with plenty of planning well underway. AMAC wholesalers as to what to do with price lists and how to recover costs if the will run Thursday 30th September and Friday 1st October trend continued. Well let’s pray for stability and thank heaven again that we 2010, a response to many members not wanting any time are in the music products business. Why? Well… reduction for the event. AMAC itself will undergo a make- 1. Back in May we had our Music Makers Summit where we learnt the over but will still retain key social events such as the industry results of the amazing programs that Music Makers has facilitated. It was dinner and welcome party. clear then that the communication with the Federal Government needed more work. Two wins since have been the Music. Count Us In (approx The new ‘Public Show’ - yet to be officially named – will run $480,000) program on October 23 and the allowance for music and stage Saturday 2nd and 3rd October 2010, a truly great venue has permanent equipment for school's new performing arts complexes. been secured at the Exhibition Centre, on the 2. In August AMAC was back on the Gold Coast. It really showed how even- Yarra at the heart of metropolitan Melbourne. It is ideally keeled we are in what many call the toughest times since the depression. located close to public transport surrounded by a wide range We had great support from exhibitors and attendees. There was a positive of accommodation at a variety of prices to suit all budgets. spirit with superb displays. Pre-registrations were actually similar to previous record years. Thanks to all those who completed surveys to help Please be assured that the public show will not merely be the planning for an expanded show next year in Melbourne. AMAC with the public let in. Instead it will be an all new 3. In September I attended the Music Council of Australia Assembly two- experiential, entertaining stand-alone event with lots of gear, day meeting. In a separate article in this issue I write about how fortunate and also lots of activities that will inspire people to start mak- we are to have this body in Australia and why the AMA gets such great ing music and keep on making music. Some key areas value from supporting it. already addressed include: 4. In October I attended the Music China Fair in Shanghai (at no cost to the association may I add). Although I have been to the fair many times, what struck me this time was how fortunate we are that the Chinese like An exhibitor prospectus being drafted with a view to launch- our type of music and music products. All of the live music presented was ing it before Christmas. similar to what we hear at AMAC, NAMM or Frankfurt. Of special interest to me were the piano displays that must have cost mega dollars and The exciting launch to the public of this event will take place reflected the massive piano market in that region. in February 2010. 5. The message is that even in tough times, people love to play and create music. Our association over the past ten years has become the peak body Talks are currently taking place with a number of major inter- in relating the benefits of active music making through the members and national names with a view to hosting a seriously exciting associated organisations to many people in the community. My special master class. People are working with us and the aim is to thanks go to those companies who support the Music Makers fund plus announce a name or two hopefully before Christmas, but those who support via voluntary membership of the committee. certainly in the New Year. We are fortunate to have the Morton Group, Ian Harvey and Sara Hood as our secretariat. Their dedication and experience has been a cornerstone to The programming of workshops, clinics and info sessions is the developments over the decade. underway addressing a range of instruments and levels from Finally, we will soon announce the date for the Annual General Meeting. pre-novice to expert, delivering on our commitment to Rather than squeezing it into the busy pre- Christmas period, we will hold include market development in the show program. the AGM in early February, when we are all very much back into our business activity following festivities and Winter NAMM. The date will be A lot of hard work looms ahead but there is great energy and advised shortly and the AGM will be held in Melbourne to include the enthusiasm for this new vision and now, as an industry as a presentation of the Australian Music Gear Awards and a detailed briefing on AMAC and the yet to be named public show for 2010. whole, we have to build the excitement and vision and reap the results … watch this space! Special good luck for the Festive season to come, your President, Bernie Capicchiano, FAMI (dip), CPM, ANZM. 3

Many members will be aware of the announcement at GIVING POLITICIANS A AMAC that the AMA will sponsor the development and implementation of the Musical Futures program ‘MUSIC EDUCATION’! from the UK here in Australia. By RICHARD SNAPE, Musical Futures brings contemporary music making Chair of the Music Makers Committee and styles into the classroom and since its On October 22nd, the tremendously successful Music Count Us In introduction early this decade more than 1,000 UK was held around Australia again. Around half a million children schools have adopted this approach. It is took part, including my young son, who was part of the huge revolutionising the way music is learned in Britain’s concert at Melbourne’s Federation Square. secondary schools. This was the third year of Music.Count Us In, which is specifically With initial funding from the NAMM Foundation and designed to address some of the key barriers indentified in the the free-of-charge provision of the materials and National Review of School Music Education. Specifically, to help raise the status of music in schools and to help address the skill intellectual property behind Musical Futures provided deficit, where primary school classroom teachers feel unprepared to by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, the AMA is currently include music. Take a look at the pics on the front page of this developing partnerships with key organisations, newsletter and you can see how big the event has become. including with State and Commonwealth Governments to assist in rolling out this program. Music Makers is integrally, though indirectly, involved with Music.Count Us In. I think it’s safe to say that without Music Much of the initial effort is being put into teacher Makers, Music.Count Us In wouldn’t exist. Music Makers provides professional development as the Musical Futures the core funding for Music.Play for Life, which is the organisation that runs Music.Count Us In. Music Makers funding also paid for approach requires a complete re-think on the way the government relations expertise that helped secure the $480,000 music learning is structured. from the Australian Government for Music.Count Us In. Music.Play for Life then brings together the music education community to Musical Futures creator, David Price will visit Australia support Music.Count Us In. For example, the NSW Government in March 2010 to commence training with an initial made their satellite network available for PD sessions. group of 25 or so schools. The teachers receiving this initial training will later become the local trainers as To recap, Music Makers helped source $480,000 of money from the the program reach is increased. Australian Government to be spent on growing music in our schools. If this money was not allocated to Music.Count Us In, then To learn more about Musical Futures go to: it would not have been spent on music. The song on the day is the www.musicalfutures.org.uk part that is most visible, but that’s the culmination of months of activities, including that critical PD.

Music Makers continues to be an industry funded campaign and is involved in a number of activities aimed to assist governments and to also draw attention to the disturbing statistic that a continuous, sequential, developmental music program is only available for as few as 23% of kids in Government schools nationally. Compare that with the independent sector, where just about every school has a music program that is front and centre in school activities.

You recently received a report about Music Makers activities and I won’t rehash that here, but if you haven’t already I do urge you to read it. It’s an inspiring report, showing how by working together as an industry we can create lasting value for everyone. And you Bernie Capicchiano (President) Musico 0 39872 5122 don’t have to take my word for it: read the document to see how Kate Whitney (Co Vice President) Shriro 02 9415 5024 many millions have been made available for music through our David Steedman (Treasurer) Maton 03 9896 9500 representations. Carol Brandman (AMAC Co-chair) Engadine Music 02 9520 3044 Graham Hoskins (AMAC Co-chair) Concept Music, WA 08 9381 2277 Finally, but by no means the least of my thoughts, is to again thank Richard Snape all the wholesalers and retailers which support Music Makers. (co Vice President, Music Makers chair) AMPD 03 8415 8000 Currently all retailers and some wholesalers contribute to what is Dom DiSisto Holden Hill Music, SA 08 8266 2699 undoubtedly a success story. We are the envy of many other Robert Walker Allans Music Group 03 9695 0510 markets because we have created this fund to enable us to pursue Mark Amory Yamaha Music 03 9693 5111 these critical activities. The chairmanship of the global liaison group Nick Middleton Roland Corporation 02 9982 8266 passes to Australia next year and we have earned that by leading Peter Trojkovic CMI Music & Audio 03 9315 2244 the way. Once again little Australia punches above its weight. Andrew Lindsay Musos Corner, Newcastle 02 4929 2829 4

Despite the general doom and gloom in the media about the economy in the past year the ABS import data shows that things weren’t too bad for the music products industry over- The public voting process in Australian Musician all in 2008. magazine's inaugural Music Gear Awards (not to be confused with the AMA awards presented at AMAC) has now been completed. Within the next week the The Annual Market Report shows that unit imports actually judging panel will convene to deliberate on the increased during the 2008 calendar year – up by 5% on the Product of the Year award and the results will be announced in a press 2007 result. That’s the good news – more and more people release emailed to the industry very soon. Winners will receive their awards are still wanting music products with many PA products, as at the AGM in February 2010. well as, acoustic guitars, grand pianos, electronic keyboards and other electronic instruments, such as electronic drums all AMA wholesalers submitted over 200 products for nomination and the doing well. magazine's panel of judges narrowed those down to the final nomination list which the public got to vote on. A four page voting coupon appeared in two issues of Australian Musician and the public was also able to vote online Not so bright however was the growth in import value. This at www.australianmusician.com.au, the magazine's website. measure showed an increase of just 0.5% as the trend toward lower average unit prices continued for a fourth consecutive Once the winners have been announced, winning distributors will be able to year, on this occasion falling by 5% compared to the average utilise an award-winner logo in any promotional material related to the recorded in 2007. winning products. The results will also appear in the upcoming summer issue of Australian Musician, guest edited by Australia’s premier act . To put this in context NAMM reported a 5.6% decline in sales value during the same period. The issue is sure to gain a lot of publicity. The Powderfinger guys really got into the spirit of the exercise. Powderfinger main man The first half data for 2009 shows results broadly similar to interviewed some of our top music journos and also compiled a story on the those recorded in 2008 with continued growth in import vol- use of the Omni Chord in contemporary music. Guitarist umes against a largely flat (+0.4%) import value result. interviewed Bon Jovi, Wolfmother and . interviewed Hoodoo Gurus’ Brad Shepherd. Drummer Cogs wrote a piece on vintage drums, and bassist JC wrote about the which changed his life. The 2008 Annual Market Report was recently distributed to Middleton, Haug and JC also road tested a stack of gear (and purchased all members. A limited number of additional copies are avail- most of it!). able on request. A downloadable version is also available in the members section of the AMA website. You can read it all in the summer issue of Australian Musician, distributed in early December.The Australian Musician Music Gear Awards awards results will also feature prominently. The awards were created for several reasons: to stimulate activity in the marketplace, to reward wholesalers for distributing quality product, and history tells us that awards schemes drive sales. We've been encouraged by the support of these awards and hope that the buzz created will assist at retail this year with Christmas sales.

The AMA recently announced a new member benefit to add to those already widely used by members such as Aon Insurance and Commonwealth Bank merchant services. From June onwards AFEX (Associated Foreign By DAVID STEEDMAN, AMA Treasurer Exchange) have been assisting a number of members with Regarding the financial status of the Association, we can inform you that there foreign exchange needs. As a foreign exchange specialist is essentially a break even result. The financial statements are currently with AFEX can provide better advice and better rates than our auditors and should be completed in early November. traditional providers such as banks. If your business is After the success of AMAC in Melbourne in 2008, we can also communicate trading overseas, large or small, why not contact Hayden that upon returning AMAC to the Gold Coast in 2009 to the renovated Gold Rule at AFEX on 02 9268 7625 or email:[email protected]. Coast Convention Centre we also achieved a small surplus result. This is particularly pleasing given the uncertain state of the economy. Simply talk to Hayden or email and tell him you are an As always, there are many meaningful projects being undertaken, most of AMA member to reduce the costs and save on your which are mentioned in this publication, all of which require a financial international currency exchange. For more info on AFEX contribution of the Association and all of which ultimately aim to increase visit their website: musical participation in the community. From this we all benefit. http://www.afex.com/australia/index.html or for more On another note, we are pleased to announce the receipt of funding from information on the Aon or Commonwealth Bank members NAMM to fund our Musical Futures Program. This is terrific news and in benefits please call your AMA office on 03 9527 6658 particular gives credence to the work the AMA is doing. It is pleasing to see we have recognition and relevance in the conversation on music education on a worldwide scale. 5

By AMA President Bernie Capicchiano Ok, who likes working on Sundays? I must admit that I do not, and after 36 years in the music products 14-17 January 2010 business it has to be important to get me to relent. Well this was important and I am very glad that I made the time to represent the AMA at such a progressive event as the Annual Music Council of Australia Winter NAMM Assembly in Melbourne on September 28 and 29. Anaheim, California Actually it really was for two days. Both were jammed full of thought provoking reports, films, forums and The premier American guest speaker presentations. Although not titled as such, the theme that evolved to me was “establishing music trade show the value of music”. The word 'value' took on many forms. Yes the financial definition was one, along with items like budgeting for funds for symphony orchestras, to trying to establish an industry GDP type figure for proper recognition and respect with the fiscal authorities. The 'value' presented which won my heart over was when the music therapists showed a film on the power music holds in patient rehabilitation. An 30 Sep- 1 Oct 2010 example was a man who had suffered a serious stroke and spoke in a jumble. The key was that he could still AMAC sing and through song the therapist trained him to be able to coherently respond. I wish every AMA Melbourne Convention member could see that film. Centre The start on Sunday was at 9.30 am (normally dark for ) and by 5.30 pm, the 80 or so participants had digested a massive amount of information. Then came keynote speaker Gary McPherson with even more. I was impressed when I saw Gary present at the 2007 ASME Conference in Perth challenging teachers to provide a creative environment for their students. This talk was even more specific with the 2-3 Oct 2010 notion put forward that musicians are made not born. We are so fortunate that Gary has moved back to Our new public music Australia as Ormond Professor at Melbourne University so Australians can benefit from his extensive experience. show Those of you who have been to a Music Makers Summit would have met Dick Letts who is Executive Melbourne Convention Director of the MCA. His report covered how successful the MCA programs had been over the past twelve Centre months. They have formed a youth music council as well as having conducted many important advocacy programs, including the wonderful 'Music. Play for Life' project that our Music Makers Fund supports. The Let us have your industry impact of 'Music. Play for Life' extended to 'Music Count Us In' through the schools system and was ably dates so we can include illustrated by Tina Broad. Tina was so excited to report that the program had Federal Government funding them here and on the for this year as well. At that date around 1,200 schools had signed up for October 23. AMA website! Talking of values after attending such an in depth two-day assembly I believe that our association's contribution is nobly spent and generates many times its value.

We are all saddened by the recent loss of three valued as a member of Brit pop band Chalice who relocated to members of the local music products community: Neville Perth in 1973 and appeared on Countdown. George Chambers, George Heathcote and Colin Hicks. worked tirelessly repping for companies such as ELFA, Roland, CMI and then CMC Music. Long time friend and Neville Chambers died in late June. Nev was a former Chalice bandmate Les Brazil of Billy Hyde's Music gentleman and stalwart of the industry, long standing says he'll miss the kamikaze phone calls from George, member of the AMA Executive Committee, Past President whereby he'd call up, launch straight into a joke, then hang and member of the Honour Roll. However, Neville was up. known to most as owner of Ensemble Music, a music wholesale company he ran in Sydney for many, many years. We also recently lost Colin Hicks, who many people will Neville was a quiet philanthropist, as his Honour Roll remember from his sterling service at both Rose membership attested to. Through is involvement with Music/Yamaha Music Australia and Music Junction Rotary he inaugurated a number of music scholarships and Blackburn/Billy Hyde Music Blackburn. Colin was head of activities for which he took no credit, being more than print music at Music Junction Blackburn for over ten years happy with the satisfaction of seeing the successes and and retired (regretfully we’re told) around happiness they brought. Whilst on the Exec Comm he five years ago. Music Junction brought his solid common sense, international contacts and staffers recall sharing many fine a practical understanding of governance that still underpins red wines with Colin. the Association today. Our thoughts go out to the George Heathcote died quietly after a long and valiant respective families. battle with illness. George was a well known and much loved industry identity. The first time we saw George was 6

High fives, hand shakes and back slaps were the order of the day at AMAC 2009 on the Gold Coast last September as the winners of the annual AMA Awards were announced. In a year which was considered to be tougher than others, the AMA Gala Dinner was no less grand an event. In fact with Ross Wilson belting out classic Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock hits, some would say it was one of the most rockin' of all. The AMA Awards are an important part of the Award-winner artwork which all evening, and the winners seemed to be genuinely stoked at the winners can now make use of recognition. None more so than Music Sales' Norm Lurie, who was Hall of Famer Norm Lurie awarded an immortal place in the AMA Honour Roll alongside such great music business achievers such as Peter Haywood, Neville Chambers and John Egan to name a few.

Norm was born and bred in Melbourne, but now lives in Sydney. A meeting in London resulted in Norm being offered the position of managing director of Music Sales in Australia, which he was appointed to in 1981 and still holds.

Norm is responsible for a number of events that are now considered to be music industry traditions. The Golden Stave Golf Day was created by Norm in 1990 and next year celebrates its 20th anniversary. Norm ran the first seven of them. The Golden Stave Golf Day is a music industry event to raise money for charity and it’s raised somewhere in the region of half a million dollars since 1990. The Factory Sound guys Simply for Strings He was also the chief organiser of the first print music trade fair in 2000. This is an annual event for print music wholesalers and print music retail buyers, which now includes the AMPAL print music awards. It is the only dedicated print music event in Australia, and is one of only a few in the world, and is an institution.

Norm’s served on the AMA’s Executive Committee and has been a member of the boards of both AMCOS and AMPAL since the early Nineties. Norm was chair of AMCOS when it took the decision to invite APRA to become the organisation’s manager, which has proved to be a very positive move. He was also the chair of AMPAL. Norm has often been the bridge between the music publishing world and the music products world. On his watch, AMPAL has become a regular contributor to the Australian Music Association.

Others winners on the night included: Billy Hyde’s Miles Jackson Rob Gairns Best Sales Rep: Richard Courtney Best Internal Sales: Rob Gairns Best Training (Large Wholesaler): Yamaha Music Best Training (Smaller Wholesaler): Maton Best Presented Store (Metro): Music Den, Geelong Best Presented Store (Non Metro): Simply for Strings Australian Made(Books/software): Music Sales (Learn to Play Guitar/Piano-DVD Australian Made (Product): Maton (325 Guitar series) Best Wholesaler Website: Rode Best Retailer Website: Billy Hyde Music Best Promo (Print): Jands Best Promo (Electronic): Factory Sound

We once again congratulate Norm Lurie for his inclusion in the Honour Roll and to all of the other winners for 2009. Winners are now encouraged to capitalise on their win and make use of the award Jodie and Paul from Jands Richard Courtney winner artwork for promotional purposes 7 YOUR AMA. WORKING FOR YOU

The last meeting was held on Tuesday 29 September 2009 and the following were discussed:

Accounts Australian Musician Music Gear Awards The accounts are now with the auditor and should be Voting is tracking well, though more votes are always ready in late October which means an AGM can be welcome. held in November, in conjunction with the Australian Musician Awards announcements. The association is Piano sector training largely in good health, although there are some It was agreed that the AMA continues to support outstanding debts which are now the subject of securing piano tuner training in Australia. Sydney VCAT proceedings. These are for unpaid advertising Con is keen to reinvigorate the plans if the piano in Australian Musician. This has meant that the credit wholesalers are able to support it. requirements for advertising in the magazine have Musical Futures had to be tightened. Plans to introduce Musical Futures to Australia AMAC 2009 continue with State governments and the Federal The feedback from AMAC 2009 was discussed, but government being briefed. As the partner, as very few exhibitors returned their forms and as the Soundhouse is now well advanced in identifying and format will change next year the results were securing the first tranche of music educators to be indicative only. In regard to the financial outcome: trained. a small surplus is likely to be returned for AMAC National Curriculum 2009, which is an excellent result in light of the The process has begun and will be signed off by the economic times. State and Commonwealth education ministers in AMAC 2010 and new public show October. Have been some issues in relation to 'the Extensive discussion was held about the plans for crowded curriculum' and the supposed allocation for 2010, which were significantly progressed and will arts, and the AMA is seeking to address this. The be announced at the AGM. Contacts are now being focus should be on teacher quality not hours made to secure major international artists as allocated. drawcards and the budget is being designed to AWAG reflect this significant investment. Now the Telstra announcement has been made, the Music Makers expectation is that the Minister for Communications Extensive discussion was held about Music Makers, will now address the overdue green paper about funding and programs. spectrum for wireless products. Teacher and instrument brochures AMA website revision A series of find a teacher and find an instrument It was agreed that the cost of revising the AMA brochures are being developed and draft artwork will website be explored so it reflects the professional be circulated to the Executive Committee for their quality of the Association and its printed materials. review. These will be posted as soft copy on the Bernie Capicchiano reported on the MCA Assembly, AMA website. which he had attended and Ian Harvey was Australian Musician website congratulated on the annual market report and Music The redesign of the website continues and screen Makers Report shots and architecture will be advised shortly. The next meeting will be the AGM in February 2010.