When Jazz Comes To Town

A critical factor in locating the James Morrison Academy of Music in Mount Gambier was finding a suitable building facility.  The facility needed to have “presence” as it will form an integral part of marketing the Academy in Australia and overseas.  The Old Town Hall was identified and through numerous inspections and discussion with Council the Academy sought a lease for the building.

When established the Music Academy will occupy the Town Hall ground and first floors and further space on the Institute first floor.  Further to this leased area the Academy, on an as needs basis, will hire areas in the Main Corner and City Hall.  The Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre, managed by Country Arts SA, will be a venue for larger performances of up to 500.

The Cave Gardens and civic buildings provide a range of formal and informal venues including area for concerts and being in the centre of the City provides accessibility and focus for music and cultural activities.

The Music Academy’s UniSA accredited degrees will commence in March 2015 with year one intake of an anticipated 50 students.  Student numbers will increase in the second and third years up to a maximum of about 300.

Graeme Lyall currently Directer of the Generation in Jazz Academy at Tenison Wood College will be the Academy’s Director of Studies.  Graeme has an extensive music education experience including lecturing at the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts.  In addition to Graeme’s tuition, it is anticipated that by year three, 12 full time teachers will be working at the Academy as well as specialist tuition by James Morrison, and guest lecturers from Australia and overseas.

Already there has been thought given to community activities such as a lunch time concerts, cave gardens jazz sessions and more formal events where by the quality of the Music Academy can be on show.  For the more ambitions in the community perhaps the opportunity to learn an instrument and gain an appreciation of jazz.

“The City of Mount Gambier has played a critical role in the establishment of the James Morrison Academy of Music and our role was pivotal in supporting the initiative” said Mayor Steve Perryman.  The City has worked in partnership with the Academy and the State Government including supporting the Academy’s pitch to State Cabinet to ensure the establishment of the Academy in Mount Gambier.

Mayor Perryman highlighted Council’s continuous support for Generations in Jazz that has created a focus on Mount Gambier and a logical location for the Music Academy.  This is a first for regional Australia and we are excited by the potential of the Academy and the benefits to the City and Region.  Mayor Perryman noted that the Academy could have located anywhere in Australia or even overseas, but Mount Gambier was identified as the preferred location and we will all benefit.

In addition to educating the nation’s next generation of jazz performers the James Morrison Academy of Music will add to the community through increased vibrancy and economic diversity of our regional city.  Once fully established it is anticipated the Academy will have upwards of 300 students plus a significant number of support staff, lecturers and music specialists from Australia and around the world.  This will shine the spotlight on Mount Gambier, not just for the Jazz academy but as a robust, attractive and cultural regional city.

Mayor Perryman noted the direct and indirect, social and economic benefit to the City.  The potential is significant, direct financial benefits certainly but also importantly a source of vibrancy and cultural development.  The Mayor highlighted the Academy’s focus on embracing and integrating with the broad community and there will be ongoing partnerships between Council and the Academy to maximize community involvement.  The Council will work with James Morrison to explore and implement a range of activities so the total community benefits.

The Music Academy represents the latest development in an expanding education sector that includes the significant expansion of UniSA with a new $12.5 million building to open early 2016.  Both will benefit from the ultra high speed optic fibre link currently being installed that will connect the Mount Gambier education sector to Australia and the world.  It is envisaged that once operational UniSA will be able to provide a much wider range of courses for students, those moving straight from school and experienced workers seeking to gain formal qualifications.

The Academy has more firmly positioned Mount Gambier “on the map” and we need to ensure that as a community we embrace and all gain in its social and economic benefits.

“Over recent years regional cities have been under increasing pressure, not just economically but also socially as we realise that what has gone before may not sustain our communities into the future.  Resilience and diversity and how they are achieved has been the focus for regional cities including Mount Gambier” says Mark McShane, Chief Executive Officer of The City of Mount Gambier. 

The recently released Council Future Papers based on substantial community input and research into what supports regional city resilience have highlighted, among other issues, the need for economic diversity and expanded educational opportunities.  Increasingly regional cities need to developing their own future and not rely on plans and support from elsewhere and the commencement of the James Morrison Academy of Music reflects that focus of a home grown, resilient community.

Mark McShane commented that the immediate benefits of the Academy are relatively easy to identify.  An influx of a significant number of students from Australia and the world, some of the best jazz musicians in the world teaching here, support staff and other resources needed to sustain the Academy will all add to the economic and social fabric of Mount Gambier.  This will be an immediate and ongoing benefit to our economy, the students will utilize accommodation, recreation, retail, cafes, restaurants and hotels throughout the City.  It is anticipated that the family and friends of students will visit adding further to the economy.

In addition to the immediate gains, Mark McShane noted that the presence of a world class music academy in Mount Gambier has other benefits that need to be harnessed.  “You can imagine how marketing and tourism promotion of Mount Gambier can benefit from the Academy, it puts us more prominently on the map and our significant tourism attractions, city and region, need to be highlighted.”  Mr McShane said the Council was keen to work with James Morrison, the Academy and tourism businesses to develop ideas and gain as much leverage as possible to boost tourism and the reputation of Mount Gambier as a tourist destination.

“While early days, this is a major coup for the City and we need to maximise its benefits for the economy, the education sector and the Community.”

From its modest beginnings 25 years ago to now where it attracts 3,000 Australia wide student jazz musicians, Generations in Jazz has been supported by James Morrison alongside an active and hard working local committee.  “Generations” is the largest event of its kind in Australia and possibly the world and much of this is due to the support and pulling power of James Morrison, arguably one of the best Jazz musicians and trumpeters in the world.

With the commencement of the Music Academy in Mount Gambier, James will bring his considerable talents and his ability to attract the best jazz musicians in the world to our doorstep.  Collectively the combined talents will ensure the students are surrounded by a quality music learning environment and the Academy’s reputation will become global.

While a regular visitor to Mount Gambier over the past 25 years, James’ career may not be known to some of us.  Playing music at a young age James commenced his international career in the USA at just 16 years of age from where it quickly expanded across the world.  James has played with many jazz legends, in jazz clubs around the world and alongside orchestras and performed at the Royal Opera House in London at the Hollywood Bowl and even played with INXS.

In addition to performing, James spends much of his time in education conducting master classes and workshops in many countries and is an avid user of cutting edge technology and music education on the internet.  Over the past several years James has been the Artistic Director of the Queensland Music Festival.

James has an Order of Australia for his contribution to music and music education.  He is a Doctor of the University of Queensland Conservatorium of Music and has received a Doctor of music from Universities in Western Australia and South Australia.

All of this will now be centred in Mount Gambier with the commencement of the James Morrison Academy of Music.  The City Council actively supports the Academy’s location in Mount Gambier and will continue to ensure we benefit socially, culturally and economically from having a world class music Academy in Mount Gambier.  This is a major win for our City and indicates to the community that we have a positive and resilient future, one that all of us need to contribute to.