CULT3120 Grant Application

Erling Gronhaug
Kristi Nichols
Dean Young
Music for populace
Newcastle University

Dear Mr Rudd,

Music for Populace is requesting to be considered for the newly available grant to help
establish Newcastle as the home for ‘Popular Music’, supporting Newcastle’s social and
cultural identity. Music for Populace aims to contribute towards Newcastle’s cultural
identity by encouraging and promoting the social value of popular music, which by
definition refers to music that is appreciated on a larger scale, thus ensuring activities
planned for our program will not isolate any particular group but encourage the
participation of the majority of citizens.
The proposed event, titled ReNewcastle Music, is to be held at the Honeysuckle Train
Sheds (waiting approval from the council) on the 4-6th of June.
Optimistic projection can see the potential in years to come that will cement Newcastle as
the hub for Popular music, much like Tamworth is the undisputed home of Country
Music in Australia. This will be achieved after the success of ReNewcastle music
alongside projects associated with future affiliates, Newcastle Music Week.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Music for the Populace is hoping to create a multimedia event for anyone of any age to
explore, define and support popular music as a social and cultural activity in Newcastle.
The event will take place over a weekend and will include live music, interactive musical
activities for punters, cross-collaboration between professional and amateur performers,
song-writing seminars, competitions and surveys as well as a detailed music history.

NEED STATEMENT

Our proposed event is called “ReNewcastle Music” with the sub heading being: “What is
popular music to you?”. This event or festival spans a whole weekend and is interactive
at its core. This event will have a walk through, interactive feel, there will be lots for
people to do, lots to learn and lots to contribute, everyone has a role to play, and it caters
to all ages. There will be a range of activities taking place to allow the local community
to express, define and explore popular music and what it means to them socially and
culturally.

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE EVENT WILL BE:

• To support and define popular music as a significant social and cultural

activity in Newcastle justified by our companies extensive research. This
event will benefit the council, the public and the city at large in many ways.

Homan, S. & Mitchell, T. (2008) Sounds of then, sounds of now: Popular music in
Australia, ACYS, Hobart, pp5-7.

“So what do we mean by “popular music”? In one sense, popular music encompasses the
forms of music and music making that are most accessible to, meaningful to and enjoyed
by large numbers of people. This useful definition highlights the mainstream, commercial
aspects of popular music. However, we argue that, for a number of reasons, such a

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definition of “popular music” cannot hope to represent the diverse range of music
activities and attitudes found in Australia today…. Unlike more traditional approaches to
cultural activity, we do not segregate “popular music” from “popular culture”; instead we
argue that one consistently informs the other. (p.5).

This is true not only for Australia but specifically for Newcastle as well. This is why we
want to hear what the people have to say and provide opportunities for them to shape
popular music, culture and social practice.

WHY IS THIS EVENT SO IMPORTANT FOR NEWCASTLE’S SOCIAL AND CULTURAL IDENTITY ?

This event has been shaped by Newcastle City Council’s own cultural framework and
ideals, as they are very proud of Newcastle’s cultural traditions, we hope to work with
these values to create an event that is uniquely Novocastrian.
Tate, J. (2005) Our wonderful life: Newcastle City Council Framework 2005-2010,
Newcastle City Council, pp 1-13,
http://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/news__and__events/cultural_development/our_wonder
ful_life
"All Novocastrian's voices are heard, listened to and valued.” (p.1)

“Cultural engagement and activity, in any form, is how people make sense of their
environment, articulate their aspirations and celebrate their identity.” (p.2)

“Providing new and innovative ways for citizen participation.” (p.3)

“Everyone has the right to enjoy cultural activities that reflect and express their diverse
interests, aspirations, lifestyle and backgrounds. Participating in cultural activities for the
majority of Novocastrians is an essential part of their everyday life. More needs to be
done to ensure that the community has access to information about the opportunities
available to them. These opportunities should be available affordable and accessible
within local communities and Newcastle as a whole.” (p.7)

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“It is important to facilitate an environment that provides opportunities for emerging

talent to develop and remain in the area…and encourage creative risk taking” (p.9)

Westbury, M (2008) Fluid Cities Create, Griffith University, Griffith Review, vol20, no1,
pp 1-10

“Culture is the process by which we communicate with each other, exchange ideas,
explore possibilities, and collect and curate our personal and collective histories. They are
the means by which we learn something of each other’s lives and experiences, and
reflect, respond to and reject inner and outer worlds.” (p.1)

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Music for Populace aims to achieve these goals through a range of activities:

1. Record Store:

A record store stocked with CD’s that cannot be bought, but listened to in the individual
sound booths. The store will be set up like a library where you can also read about the
history of popular music, showing a timeline with the various genres that were popular at
any specific time. The CD’s within the store are from artists that had achieved success
with a mainstream audience during their time of release and are considered to be classed
as ‘popular’ music.

The Individual Sound booths will contain the following options:

• Listen to and rate popular music
• Listen to new and old popular music
• Showcase local artists music (provided by the musicians prior to the event)

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• Online form for citizens to express their knowledge and tastes (Data
collection)

Questions will consist of:

o Preferred genre
o Favorite artist/ local artist
o Musical event attendance (Concerts, festivals etc)
o Preferred musical event
o Preferred musical arena (Entertainment Centre)

2. Live Music:

Support local talent by having various musicians from a variety of different styles
perform. The schedule will be divided to showcase known local acts, first time
performers and will be headlined with the winners of the ‘Favorite Local Artist’ as
determined by the previous year’s questionnaire.

3. Workshops:

• Interactive workshops featuring instrument lessons. Basic tutorials covering

the essentials about musical instrument care, re-stringing and tuning.
Performances of popular songs by musicians demonstrating the use of tips and
tricks associated with that particular instrument, showing the simplified way
to perform a set piece that encourages the audience to play a musical
instrument.

• Interactive dance workshop run by qualified instructors to teach the basics of

particular styles of dance. A schedule will be available to the public which
informs about the different styles of dance that will be taught and their
corresponding time throughout the day.

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4. Buskers Corner:

• A musician with an acoustic instrument taking requests from the audience.

The performance will feature a range of different styles from different time
periods. A list of available songs will be presented to avoid the number of
requests that cannot be played.

• Amateur musicians will be able to display their talent by performing with

other musicians. Impromptu ‘Jam’ sessions with an allocated time of 15
minutes will allow the audience to become a part of the show.

5. Music Trivia:

• Music trivia will run at allocated times throughout the day, each with a
specific music topic (70’s, Australian Pop music). Two types of trivia will be
available:

o Family Fun: This trivia is for people seeking to have a bit of fun. There
are few restrictions regarding group numbers, the questions are a bit
easier than the competitive trivia and the prizes aren’t restricted to the
overall winner.

o Competitive Trivia: This trivia has set guidelines that ensure each
group has the same amount of members. Each year the winner’s group
will have their name engraved onto a specially designed plaque,
informing future participants the winners from each previous year.

METHODS AND STRATEGIES

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1. Record Store:

• Resources include computers, software CD’s and data.

Software requirements can be satisfied with the involvement of the University of

Newcastle. The faculty of Science and Information Technology can volunteer their
services by setting an assignment for students studying a Bachelor of Information
Technology in a beginners programming course, suggestions would include INFT1004
Visual Programming or INFT2012 Applications Programming. The faculty of Education
and Arts, school of Drama, Fine Art and Music can provide the data. The data includes
music samples (to overcome copyright), local artist’s music and information regarding
music festivals and arenas. This would include the University of Newcastle in the Music
for Populace project. The event will be set up with the assistance of people and
organizations in the community, again adding to the cultural and social aspect of our
event, further contributing to the identity of Newcastle as the home for Popular Music.

The source for computers can either be donated from people within the community,
leased out from an external company, bought as an investment to save costs in future
years (owning instead of hiring) or provided by the University of Newcastle.

The record store could be run by popular radio presenter and novocastrian Maynard. The
local knowledge and expertise on popular music gained by years of experience in the
field could prove invaluable for the success and credibility of ReNewcastle Music.

2. Live Music:

• Resources include musical instruments and performers

Bands performing will be required to bring in and set up their own instruments. The
Newcastle Conservatorium of Music can provide mixing board and PA system.

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University of Newcastle students within the School of Education and Arts studying music
can monitor the live sound, once again tying it into an assessment associated with a
course they are enrolled in.

3. Workshops:

• Resources include instruments, professionals running workshops.

Music workshops can be set up by the staff at Musos Corner and the Drum shop. Being
employees of a music store they have experience with caring for instruments and the
demonstrations would show how a professional would perform maintenance on an
instrument. The tips and tricks seminar presenting playable versions of popular songs can
also be performed by the staff that taught the instrument maintenance, also demonstrating
the effectiveness of each maintenance technique by playing on the instruments they
previously restored.

The dance workshops will act as a recruitment service for local dance companies. These
dance companies may include local schools such as Newcastle Dance Centre. Lovelorn
living party and Newcastle Dance academy.

4. Buskers Corner:

• Resources include instruments, professional musician

Students studying music at the University of Newcastle may volunteer to busk with an
emphasis on students currently being assessed on their live performance. The instruments
will include acoustic guitars and keyboards, which may be bought or leased from various
music stores.

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5. Trivia:

• Resources include presenter, PA system, questions, answer sheets, tables

and chairs

The Conservatorium may provide the PA system. Maynard could present and provide
additional information gained from years of experience in the music and radio industries.

OTHER FUNDING OR SUSTAINABILITY

ABC Radio Newcastle, 2NUR and NBN Television have all offered to run promotion as
well as news reports before and during the event, which should help boost the public’s
interest. Also, Reverb Magazine, Newcastle’s only local and free street press has offered
a 4-page special inlay the week before the event to help with promotion and public
awareness.

We have not received nor applied for funding from any other organizations as we feel this
is a council issue that the city itself would and should support. The entire event relies on
the city of Newcastle to gather around it and as such it should be self sustained within the
council budget.

The initial year requires the grant from the council to establish the event. Future years
will see the addition of sponsors to cover the running costs and indeed turn a profit that
will then be invested into the project. It will become self sustainable with profits
reinvested towards the project, expanding the range and number of available activities.

BUDGET

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The funds acquired after the grant application proves successful will finance the
following:

• Promotion & Advertising

• Posters
• T-Shirts & other
• Money to set up survey to select Top Ten Bands

Other preparations:

• Public Liability Licence

• Other insurance/etc
• Fuel costs
• Phone usage in organising event

Event:

• Hire of bands and performers & wages for sound crew/technicians

• Water/soft drinks for all performers/crew/volunteers
• Free access to the Honeysuckle Train Sheds (or hire paid for)
• Hire of 3 stages with rigging of these stages
• Hire of 3 x P.A and Lighting rig
• Hire of 20 computers with networking equipment and tables and chairs
• Tables and Chairs for rest of venue
• Security personnel at every exit (4 people)
• Stalls (could be provided by holders, but still might need to be hired)
• Electricity and Water utilities
• Other (gaffer tape, miscellaneous stuff that pop up on the day)

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After:

• Survey collection and organising

• Cleaning of venue and eventual damage to property
• Other (340g packets of Salt & Vinegar Chips)

Sections that are run by volunteers or covered by sponsors:

• Television, Radio and Street press advertising

• Backline of drum kit, bass line and guitar rig (courtesy of Musos Corner and the
Drum Shop) for all the bands to utilise, to make event run smoother.
• Staff for surveys and booths. Students to connect the computers together (courtesy
of TAFE and the University of Newcastle)
• Giveaways and prizes for trivia, thanks to different stall holders (Beaumont St
Beat, Musos Corner, NBN Television, Reverb Magazine, etc)

The list above details the expected expenditure of $50, 000.

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