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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 SEPTEMBER, 2008

After a decade of AMAC on Queensland's Gold Coast, it was Melbourne's turn to host the annual event. Retailers from all corners of the country donned their long forgotten coats and braved some crisp winter days to check out the amazing gear on offer. Of course AMAC is not just about doing deals for Christmas and Back to School, AMAC is also an opportunity to learn things about the industry and business in general. So again activities such as the “Hot Half Hours” training seminars with the Australian Retailers Association took place along with the "Big Issues" program for store owners and managers -a highlight this year was the Google session featuring Justin Baird. Also introduced in 2008 was "Shop Floor Sunday" a series of focused seminars for retail store staff. As usual a growing number of satellite events ran parallel with AMAC. The national Soundhouse organisation ran their annual conference and also assisted in presentations to music teachers on the Sunday for Music Educators Day (MED).

Keynote speaker for MED this year was Australian Idol music director John Foreman, who also plays a major part in the Music Council of Australia's successful initiative 'Music. Count Us In'. Foreman wrote a song in conjunction with four students for this year's 'Music. Count Us In' which was later recorded by Kate Ceberano. Last year, on one single day in late August, nearly 300,000 kids from around 900 schools performed the'Music. Count Us In' song together. This year's composition, appropriately titled 'Sing', will be voiced simultaneously by school students nationwide, when 'Music. Count Us In' 2008 takes place on Thursday October 23rd at 11.30am.(See more detailed MED report inside) The second annual Weekend Warriors Convention also took place at AMAC. The Weekend Warriors are musicians of no specific age or demographic who come together to form a band, rehearse some songs with experienced coaches and play a gig at the end of it all. They may Continued over page

As there is a full report on AMAC 2008 in the newsletter, it may be sufficient for me to observe the continuing commitment to a trade show like AMAC for our industry. The shift to Melbourne resulted in record delegate attendance, a record number of local exhibitors, and generally a good feeling about the change of venue. We go back to the Gold Coast next year for a number of reasons, not least the availability of suitable alternative venues. At the same time the association will pursue options for the years ahead with an open mind given the Melbourne experience. Consideration of refreshing the AMAC format, as always, is high on the agenda. More training? A public or professionals day? Add people’s choice product awards? Suppliers can have their input by returning the recent exhibitors survey. Please take the time, it helps. Whatever the future is we hope that all members had a successful and worthwhile AMAC 2008. The president’s breakfast this year highlighted some issues regarding grey parallel imports and internet trading placing pressure on retail and wholesale alike. Scary estimates of percentages of sales being lost to parallel importing in particular product segments were highlighted. The industry was encouraged to act collectively in addressing the issues, as in a world continuingly evolving a new way of retail, there has been no commensurate way to diminish the regulation placed on the traditional forms of retailing. It would simplify it to imply that government can be the only influencer and the industry needs to be vigilant in maintaining competitiveness and added value in the face of internet enterprise. The AGM of the AMA will be held in Sydney on October 27 – you will receive the nominations and other forms soon. The AMA’s Annual Report and details of Music Makers activities will be shared. Importantly, a new Executive Committee will be elected. We welcome members attending and full details will follow. We also welcome anyone interested in serving on the AMA Executive Committee to consider it. You could help plan the next AMAC! I encourage any member to contact me should you need to discuss this. While in Sydney we’ll hold a Music Makers dinner and meeting – full details will follow on that too. Continued over page

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YOUR AMA. WORKING FOR YOU have been in bands in previous lives or they may have just been bedroom rock gods. With the Warrior program, they rekindle their love for playing, make new friends and for some, fill a void that has been missing in their lives for some time. This year Warriors attendees were treated to several intimate and exclusive sessions with Brian Cadd, Russell Morris, and Wilbur Wilde. (See more detailed WW Convention report on next page.) Another side group in attendance at AMAC were the studio and broadcast industry attendees who had come to check out the wares on Music Professionals Monday. Of course AMAC wouldn't be a convention without a social element and musically rich Melbourne didn't let delegates down. The opulence of Peninsula at Atlantic in Melbourne's Docklands provided a fitting venue for the AMA Gala Awards Dinner. Featured artists on the night included Melbourne jazz stalwarts Tony Gould and Bob Sedergreen, and fresh from their Weekend Warriors duties Brian Cadd, Russell Morris and band charmed the crowd with a passionate performances of their classic hits. The less formal atmosphere of Club AMAC in the adjoining room was presented this year by Australian Musician magazine. Selected for this year's Club AMAC bill were The Custom Kings and 67 Special. Other notable music identities either seen strolling the AMAC trade floor, presenting sessions or appearing as special guests included Dave Graney and Clare Moore, Angie Hart, Phil Manning (Chain), Lisa Miller, Diesel, iconic guitar effect pedal king Jim Dunlop (in town for local distributor AMS's 30th anniversary), jazz legend George Golla and eminent indie guitar hero Spencer P Jones. Next year AMAC returns to the Gold Coast. Photos by Bob Kennedy (Swampfox) & Michael Brown

AMA AWARD WINNERS 2008 The AMA Gala Awards Dinner was a joyous occassion. Congratulations to this year’s AMA Award winners, (some pictured right) • Best training and retail support - larger wholesaler - Rode Microphones

FROM THE PRESIDENT Continued from page 1

• Best training and retail support - smaller wholesaler - Musico

The 08-09 membership renewals will be arriving soon. These are following the 2007 AGM where the members agreed to approve a change in structure to the retail membership fees in order to provide a more equitable assessment method based on the relative size of the business – these increases while not unreasonable see the core services of the AMA funded to an acceptable level from members’ contributions which when added to the Music Makers contributions from Wholesale members sees the AMA continue to be an influencer in key areas of government, music education and public relations. There is also immediate ROI for members taking advantage of the AON insurance, Commonwealth Bank EFTPOS and Showgroup travel rates and the availability of industry statistics and market research is invaluable as are the international relationships developed. Perhaps with interest rates on the way down and a change of season, the spring will be in our customer’s step and consumer confidence will pick up in the run to Christmas. Regards, Robert Walker President

• Best retailer website - Kosmic Sound • Best wholesaler website - Jands • Best Australian made - physical product - Maton for their Custom Shop • Best Australian made - print and software product - Perform Live: You Be The Star from AMPD • Best newcomer - Adam Toms from Allans Music Group • Best presented store -non metro Music Den, Geelong • Best presented store - metro- Allans Music, Kew • Best rep - internal sales - Robert Gairns, Pro Music • Best rep - field sales - Paul Pisani, Pro Music

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Music Educators' Day has become an important event, running parallel with AMAC. This year at the Melbourne Convention Centre the Music Educators' Day's theme was ‘Creative engagement with music’. The event provided a great professional development opportunity for both primary and secondary music educators, and also the joint presentation with aMuse (Association of Music Educators [Victoria] ) represented a useful professional partnership between the music industry and a teacher professional organisation. Music Educators' Day attracted over 100 participants who heard an inspiring keynote address from Music. Count Us In Ambassador, John Foreman, followed by a ‘learn “Sing” (the song)’ session with Mandy Stefanakis. The session created a great sense of "educational community." Workshops were presented during the day by MusicTime! author Ros McMillan; the SoundHouse team on music technology; Heather McLaughlin and Diane Jackson, on applications for marimbas and ukuleles in primary classrooms; Mandy Stefanakas, on cooperative and selfdirected music learning; and Mike Tyler and Ken Hodgkinson, outlining a trial of the AMEB’s Music Craft syllabus in the Wide Bay area in Queensland. Feedback from MED participants was very positive–not only were the workshop sessions relevant and useful to them as music educators but there was also a valuable opportunity to learn about new products and to interact with industry representatives. "There was also a sense for participants of being part of the wider music industry endeavour as well as their more usual perception of being only aligned to the education industry / profession, " said Robin Stevens Music in Action's new Editor. "Some teachers expressed the hope that AMAC would "cycle" around the various states and that the opportunity to attend a Music Educators' Day at AMAC would come around again soon."

Wholesalers and retailers who came together to do business at the Melbourne Convention Centre for AMAC, may have been oblivious to the activities of the Weekend Warrior delegates who were immersing themselves in their own convention. For much of the time around three dozen (almost 50 in attendance counting partners!) Weekend Warrior enthusiasts were locked away in side rooms being inspired by the likes of Brian Cadd, Russell Morris, Wilbur Wilde and the dedicated Warrior coaches. This year Warriors attendees were coached by Bob Spencer (Angels, Skyhooks), Roger McLachlan (LRB), Peter 'Maz' Maslen (Boom Crash Opera) and Mick Pealing (Stars). Pealing, who was a convention first-timer, held the gathered Warriors captive with his tales of the road and his thoughts on vocal warm ups, rehearsal and performance techniques. Bob chose to speak on guitar tone. Roger gave his valued opinions on getting a great bass groove, and 'Mas' chatted about the life of a studio drummer. WW delegates were also treated to several intimate and exclusive sessions with Brian Cadd, and Russell Morris, who related some priceless tips on songwriting. Sax legend Wilbur Wilde arrived for his session, propped himself down and immediately set about chatting to the audience as if he was holding court at a friend's BBQ. Wilde was charming, informative and hilarious with stories of his time at 'Hey, 'Hey, It's Saturday' and his tales of touring with Dire Straits. Plus Mushroom Publishing's Ian James and Bill Page gave the Warriors a unique insight into the world of music publishing and recording contracts. Of great interest were stories of the 'money trail' and how long it takes for an artist to see the fruits of their labour. The Saturday was a perfect opportunity for everyone to let their hair down (or comb it over, or shave it!) at Spensers Live. While interstate Warriors got to dine together and relate 'war stories', Bob and the coaches put in an awesome performance of classic British hits. After rehearsing songs all weekend and being stirred to great heights by the Aussie music legends, the Warriors put on their own concert back at Spensers on the Sunday night. Despite battling stage nerves, they all had the time of their lives. Warriors convention organiser Dom Disisto worked tirelessly to get the event off the ground again this year, and he and crew member Shannon Sullivan worked diligently to ensure each and every Warrior experienced a weekend they won't ever forget. At the convention's end some emotional speeches were made and gifts were presented to the WW team in appreciation of the organisers and coaches efforts. Positive discussions between interstate Warrior club leaders led to a promise of even greater support of the WW Convention in 2009, when AMAC returns to the Gold Coast.

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AMA PUBLICATION NEWS hen Music in Action first appeared five years W ago we were very fortunate to have Ann Blore as the magazine’s founding editor. I well remember my initial discussions with Ann on what the magazine might look like and how it might be constructed. At that stage, we had a framework on which to build, but little else—not even a name. We settled on Music in Action because it was a title that offered a promise of things to come—that Music in Action would help demonstrate and promote some of the great things that were being done in Australian schools, and that it might be a conduit to sharing those activities more broadly. The ‘action’ referred to in the title is about sharing, motivating and ultimately expanding good music education practice Australia-wide. Ann’s skilful touch has ensured that the sense of action promised by the title was evident in each of the 21 issues created by her, with the support of sub-editor Tony Geeves, and production manager/designer, Greg Phillips; and importantly, with the interest and willingness of wonderful contributors from here and overseas. The sense of action has also been expressed in other forms, in particular by taking an advocacy role for music education. Promoting the National Review of School Music Education, the Investing In Our Schools funding program and the Music.Count Us In initiative, are just three important examples. It is therefore with much sadness that we say farewell to Ann as she passes the baton for this and future issues to the new Editor, Associate Professor Robin Stevens. Robin will be known to many of you as a teacher educator, researcher and author. Robin has, and continues to have, an illustrious career in music and music education in this country. Just as I believe we were lucky to secure the services of Ann Blore, we are now privileged to have Robin take over the reins of Music in Action from this issue forward. No doubt Robin will introduce some new variations to the Music in Action theme, but the magazine’s purpose remains steadfast to the support, promotion and sharing of ideas, activities and resources among schools and teachers. Ian Harvey, Publisher Executive Officer, The Australian Music Association

VALE-JEAN HYDE It's with much sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Mrs Jean Hyde, widow of Mr Billy Hyde and mother to Garry and Roslyn. Mrs Hyde had been ill for some time and died in mid August. Jean will be fondly remembered as the matriach of the Billy Hyde business. The Australian Music Association extends deepest condolences to the Hyde family.

The Spring editions of Australian Musician and Music in Action magazines will be distributed this week. A reminder to all wholesalers to send us information on your latest product releases. It only costs you the time of writing some copy. For Australian Musician, send to Greg Phillips at: [email protected] and Music in Action to new editor Robin Stevens: [email protected]. Robin can be contacted on 0418 329 425. To discuss an advertising campaign, phone Greg on 03 9712 0989

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA Monday 8 September, 2008 Stamford Plaza, Sydney The following is a selection of major agenda items which the committee assisted the AMA staff with: • AMAC 2008 discussion • Piano sector tuner training support • Membership criteria and constitution change • Online selling and ACCC -Government strategy -Consumer strategy • Music Makers, Summit and AGM • Change to Financial year reporting • AWAG update • Musical Futures with David Price • AOB • Thanks to Ann Blore, outgoing Music in Action editor • Website development

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YOUR AMA. WORKING FOR YOU

Recently the AMA conducted its second Australian Attitudes to Music Study. The previous occasion this was undertaken was back in 2001. This same study is done periodically by both NAMM and the MIA in the UK. A highlight of the study was the significant increase in recognition of the benefits of music making to a range of users, through the question, "In the last year, have you read, seen or heard anything about the benefits of playing a musical instrument and its positive effect on health, wellbeing or education?" In 2001, 24% of the population had seen or heard such messages. In this most recent survey this had increased to 32% of the population, a significant uplift. The work done by the AMA and its friends and partners such as the Music Council of Australia, Music.Play for Life, ASME and the Australian Music Therapy Association seems to be paying off and that this increased recognition is at least in part responsible for the increased import volumes of recent years. More data from the Australian Attitudes to Music survey will be available in October.

27 OCTOBER 2008 AMA AGM. SYDNEY

The Annual General Meeting for the AMA 9-12 OCTOBER 2008 MUSIC CHINA

Enormous music products trade show in Shanghai, China. THE NAMM SHOW 2009 January 15 - 18, 2009 Annaheim, California Tell us your dates so you can be included here!

A major PR campaign starts next week featuring John Foreman and Kate Ceberano. They will be joined by other notable Australians from music and the community in general. Major media activities include links with Channel 10 and Australian Idol, community service announcements on radio and TV along with interviews on radio and in print. Last year more than 2 million Australians saw the important and positive messages about music education in our schools. There has never been anything like it- until this year!

Music.Count Us In is Australia's and possibly the world’s largest music making event. Music.Count Us In last year saw around 900 schools and 300,000 students make music - many of those for the first time. This year Music.Count Us In is back bigger than ever. The event is again supported by a substantial grant from the Commonwealth Government and is designed to lift the status of music in our schools. While activities, such as professional development programs for teachers, have been underway for sometime the event really kicks off between now and the finale on October 23, when we hope over 1,000 schools and more than half a million students show us all the joy of making music together.

Better access and better quality learning of music in our schools means more players. The AMA and Music Council of Australia, through Music.Play for Life are delivering on your behalf. Play your part by encouraging the teachers, schools and parents visiting your businesses to be involved. In the first instance visit www.musiccountusin.org,au to get involved.

IT’S YOUR DEMOCRATIC DUTY The 2009 Australian Music Association Annual General Meeting will be held on October 27th. Soon members will see nomination forms and proxy voting forms arriving in the mail. Members are encouraged to consider nominating for the Executive Committee and to attend the AGM which will be held in Sydney. Those members unable to join the meeting in Sydney can still play a part by completing the proxy form.

GOING BACK UP THE COAST ... AMAC returns to the Gold Coast in 2009 August 15-17th 2009 at the Gold Coast Exhibition and Convention Centre before heading south again in 2010.

Robert Walker (President) David Bell (Vice President) Bernie Capicchiano (Treasurer) Brendan Callinan (AMAC Chairman) Carol Brandman Dom DiSisto Graham Hoskins Anthony Ruggeri Richard Snape David Steedman Kate Whitney

Allans Music Group 03 9695 0510 Jands 02 9582 0909 Musico 0 39872 5122 Roland Corporation 02 9982 8266 Engadine Music 02 9520 3044 Holden Hill Music, SA 08 8266 2699 Concept Music, WA 08 9381 2277 Music Centre, NSW 02 4325 4900 AMPD 03 8415 8000 Maton 03 9896 9500 Shriro 02 9415 5024