Over the
last twenty five years, Sirocco Music has created events and concerts
that are unique and distinctly Australian. On this page we have listed
some ideas we have come up with - ideas that work. These concepts not
only produced an entertaining and enjoyable event but created a worthwhile
Australian experience. Why not try them out – let every event contribute
to our cultural capital.
CONTENTS :
Conferences
I Overseas
Tours I Overseas
Trade Exhibitions I Special
Events I
Overseas
Special Events I Exhibitions
I Unusual
Projects
Conferences
Asian Leaders
Conference in Port Douglas hosted by the Australia Asia Institute UNSW
The conference
included Foreign Ministers, University professors and other leaders from the
nations of Asia. Korea, Philippines, China, Japan were some of the countries
represented. Sirocco composed a twenty minute suite of music that interwove
the melodies from these countries. This came as a complete surprise to the guests
who were delighted at the culturally appropriate and respectful way this was
done. At the conclusion of the suite the guest queued to individually thank
each of the members of Sirocco
Royal Physicians
Conference in Federal Parliament House Canberra
Sirocco
performed unique Australian music and included instruments from the many cultures
that make up Australia. After dinner they got the normally conservative audience
up and dancing to the music of digeridu, Arabic lute, Korean drums and synthesiser.
The attendees were impressed by the fact that this conference didn’t use the
standard covers bands they had all seen so many times before, but chose a band
that engaged the audience and performed around the tables.
Opening
of the new Australian Emabssy in Indonesia
Overseas
Tours
Nepal 1998
Sirocco went out into the tiny villages and performed with the local musicians.
This was not part of the official concert itinerary but became an invaluable
part of tour. The villages were amazed that a group could pick up their music
– they were wondering what was our caste. One of the tracks on
Falling Leaf was composed as a result of this tour.
In Pakistan
Sirocco performed with a group of Pathan musicians from the Afghanistan
boarder. This was on the main concert stage in Lahore. In all the overseas tours
from Vietnam to Houston, Sirocco works with the local musicians to create a
unique performance. This is just a flow-on from Sirocco’s work with multicultural
musicians in Australia. There are few groups that are able to, or want to, jam
with the locals. Sirocco sees this as an important part of their touring.
Ahmedabad, India
Overseas
Australian Trade Exhibitions
Vladivostok
1990 – Sirocco worked together with the local Russian rock group and formed
the new group ‘Joint Venture’ that performed at the formal concert. As well
Sirocco performed at many informal functions including the 'Aussie barbeque’
put on for our Russian hosts.
Chandigarh
1996 – At the enormous Agricultural Trade exhibition in North India (Agrotech)
Sirocco performed eight times a day for a week as part of the Australia promotion.
The group also sought out extra promotional performances at the local University
and helped at all the unscheduled and more formal functions – even the inevitable
Aussie barbeque! The performance included asking the predominantly Sikh audience
to join them on stage for a traditional dance. Most did not need an invitation!
Special Events
Macquarie Marshes
- In 1993 Sirocco created an environment event in the marshes. This included
original compositions describing the wetlands that included the sounds of the
wetlands, a concert in the marshes, camping over night and a tour of the marshes
the next morning. Also it was broadcast by satellite dish to Asia and the Pacific.
Later a video and CD were released of
the event.
Sirocco is proud
to put on concerts in the Australian natural environment – we prefer it. All
the concert halls and opera houses put together can not compete with the beauty
of the Australian environment. Sirocco has performed in the limestone caves
of Naracoorte, the Cape Byron Palm valley, the rainforest of Maleny Queensland
and many botanical gardens. The album the ‘Evergreen
Realm' was recorded in the Royal Botanic Gardens at a live concert in 1990.
Overseas
Special Events
Borneo
- Sirocco performed with the Dayaks of Central Borneo for CRA. The group requested
such an event as they enjoy both working with the locals and the unusual situation.
CRA were pleased as they were interested in an Australian cultural link to the
local tribes. The track the River of Jewels - a journey down the Mahakam River
(on Stars and Fires) - was composed
after this very special event .
Medan , Indonesia
- Sirocco arranged for a conversation dance between a local tribal dancers
and an Aboriginal dancer from North Queensland. The audience was stunned by
the similarity in style of the dancers.
Special
exhibitions
Port of Call
- The music accompanying a major Art exhibitions is often the last thing
on the curator’s mind. Sirocco suggested that, rather that leaving it to last,
Sirocco compose the music to promote the exhibition through performance. The
original music would also be the music accompanying the exhibition. The Australian
Museum agreed and Sirocco composed the music that is currently recorded on ‘Port
of Call’. This takes the listener on a journey from the docks of London
to the shores of Botany Bay. The exhibition was called ‘First Impressions’ and
displayed the drawings of the first Europeans to explore Australia. Sirocco’s
performances during that time promoted the exhibition and the Australian Museum
sold the recordings. A perfect synergy.
Civilisation
- A major imported blockbuster exhibition at the National Art Gallery in
Canberra on the history of European civilisation. Sirocco, once again, composed
the background music to the exhibition. The original music was used to promote
the exhibition and Sirocco performed at the opening and at various events associated
with the exhibition. The music was released on the Breath
of Time album.
Unusual
projects
Music in Gaols
- Sirocco has worked in many gaols in Australia. This is not just putting
on a concert, but getting the inmates to put on their own concert. Sirocco worked
in one gaol over a period of six months to create a concert that included the
Polynesian Warlords (14 piece a rap islander group), Arabic drum group, Aboriginal
dancers and a rock group. Sirocco taught the inmates music fundamentals and
instrument performance that would enable them to practice and perform together
in the future.
Concerts
In the spirit
of Australian hospitality, Sirocco put on a free concert for the Kosovo refugees
currently staying in Australia. This was not just performing Sirocco music but
included the music of their region. The audience were soon up and dancing.
Sirocco's audience dancing to the music - Victor Harbour Festival