The ABC initiative, Classic Choir has been conducted since 2020, commissioning some of our most esteemed musicians and composers. It has not only provided these artists with the opportunity to produce and perform new work but also enabled the public to participate. A proposal has been devised to promote the ABC’s role in the arts. It is intended to draw upon the experiences of Classic Choir administrators, participants and if possible, the composers themselves, to promote the ABC’s arts programming and forge connections with communities who have been involved in the project or to encourage their involvement in the future.
One purpose is to enable ABC Friends to build our support base in communities through local organisations such as choirs and orchestras and their audiences. This is in accordance with our Strategic Plan Objective 2, to communicate the value and relevance of our public broadcaster to communities, engaging a range of age and cultural groups. The Classic Choir is one example of the way in which the ABC is integral to our national culture. Promoting initiatives such as this should assist us in convincing the public that, unrestrained by commercial imperatives, ABC audiences can experience unique programs that are engaging and informative.
The Classic Choir proposal has several components and is envisaged to be implemented over the course of this year. Several choirs listed in the Classic Choir event calendar have been approached to have their profiles posted on our ABC Friends website. A page on our website has now been developed by ABCF NSW/ACT Membership Secretary, Susan Scott titled ABC Classic Choirs. This enables choirs to post profiles together with links to their own website and Facebook page. I have begun preliminary discussions with a filmmaker and graduate of the Australian Film, Television and Radio School. He is currently developing a proposal to produce a film of a choir engaged in the Classic Choir program. Invitations have been extended to commissioned composers and ABC Classic staff to appear at future ABC Friends events. Finally, I encourage our branches to promote the Classic Choir at events and to engage with choirs, groups and individuals within their communities who have participated or shown an interest in the Classic Choir.
Ross McGowen