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SCU project maps music in Rainbow Region

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Published
25 August 2004
A new research project which aims to ‘map’ the broad range of music related activities in the Rainbow Region is being launched by Southern Cross University’s School of Arts.

The Music Map database will provide students, academics, educators, industry people and community groups with access to the most comprehensive list of music services, products, cultural activities and educational and academic resources available in the Rainbow Region.

The information will be made available through an online, web-based directory and database.

The geographic area covered by the Map will include parts of the NSW North Coast, from Ballina in the south, Lismore and Nimbin in the west, Byron in the East to Mullumbimby in the north.

The project is a collaboration between academic and research staff in the University’s School of Arts and university students in their final year of a Bachelor of Contemporary Music degree.

In the coming weeks, the research team will begin contacting individuals and groups involved in music activities across the region, researching and compiling the resource list for the Music Map.

Service and artists listings in the music map will be free. A feature of the map will be its interactive aspects. It is planned that individuals and groups who are listed will be able to update their own details and there will be a notice board and forum for users to place notices, provide feedback on the map and comment on music related issues in the region.

The Music Map will be officially launched later this year. In the meantime, the Music Map project under development can be viewed at http://hmcs.scu.edu.au/rainbow/MusicMap/index.html
Head of SCU’s School of Arts Associate Professor Michael Hannan said the Music Map was an innovative research project that would allow people to understand the great richness of musical activity on the North Coast of New South Wales.

“It will help to connect all people who are involved in music, or who wish to be involved in music. It will encourage music making and stimulate music business,” Associate Professor Hannan said.

Music student and leader of the student research team, Mr Nirvana Glassey, said it was a very exciting project.

“The North Coast has one of the best music scenes in Australia and so many talented people live here or come here to make music. This music map will not only document and contribute to the vibrancy of our local music industry and culture, it will also improve opportunities for music graduates to remain and work in the local area,” Mr Glassey said.

Wanda Coates is a research assistant in the School of Arts and the project co-ordinator.

“The music map is part of a broader cultural mapping project, the Rainbow Region Cultural Map, which has begun charting the diverse range of cultural activity in the region. This is an opportunity to centralise information for the benefit of musicians and other cultural workers, as well as students, academics and the local community,” Ms Coates said.

For more information about the project contact Wanda Coates at the School of Arts, Southern Cross University, wcoates@scu.edu.au

Media information: contact Brigid Veale on 66593006 or 0439 680 748.