Junction Arts Festival is on the lookout for young Tasmanian singers, songwriters and musicians to have their say on the climate crisis through music and song.
An opportunity is open to young Tasmanians to be part of a choir that will learn and perform protest songs, along with an original composition that includes their voice, ideas and feelings about the climate emergency. The project will culminate in a performance at Junction Arts Festival in September 2021.
Junction’s Creative Director, Greg Clarke, said that the project was inspired by the Global Youth Climate Strikes of 2019.
“We were so inspired by seeing so many young people turn out in Hobart and Launceston, who were standing up and saying enough is enough and having their voices heard,” said Clarke.
“This has inspired us to facilitate the creation of Songs For Our Planet, a concert at the Princess Theatre that will bring together young Tasmanian singers, songwriters and musicians to have their say on the climate emergency through music and song.”
In the lead up to the concert, Junction will be running a series of free songwriting workshops in Launceston. Songwriting workshops will be held from 9:30am-1:30pm on 12-15 July, facilitated by professional writers and musicians Tash Parker, Teri Young, Asher Warren & Tessa Lee. The workshops are free and open to members of the public aged 14-25.
The workshops will be hands-on, and participants will be creating their own songs about the things that are most important to them. Participants will have the opportunity to record or perform their creations at Junction Arts Festival in September.
If you’re aged 14-25 and passionate about having your voice heard, register here.
Workshop facilitators
Tash Parker is a Launceston-based songwriter and visual artist who creates beautiful sonic worlds with both acoustic and electronic instruments. She is one half of the folk-pop duo Runaway Belles, and has collaborated with artists like Lior, Gotye, Liz Stringer and Leah Flanagan.
Teri Young is a Queenstown-based folksinger, choir leader and songwriter. One of her specialties is writing songs of social commentary, and she’s written many folk songs specific to the developments and cultural crossroads that our island grapples with today.
Asher Warren is head of Theatre and Performance at the University of Tasmania, and will use his expertise in theatre and storytelling to help students explore the power of various narrative techniques.
Tessa Lee is a Devonport-based jazz singer and guitarist who has developed a rare melodic style and freedom in her songwriting. She has worked extensively with young people in outdoor education and as a classroom music teacher.
