Arts funding strikes a chord

Carly Rees | 9th February 2010

New skills: Year 9 Killarney State School student Kelton Dunkley learns from drum tutor Andy Hughes at the first Bands Accessing Skill Support on the Southern Downs.

MUSICIANS in the Southern Downs will have great opportunities after the region received $20,000 in funding from Arts Queensland which offered the program Bands Accessing Skill Support on the Southern Downs (BASS-SD).

This program, an initiative of Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) community youth worker Bonita Tyler, began yesterday at Allora, with young musicians taking up the opportunity to learn from elite musicians.

Twenty-Four-Hour Breakdown, a young band from Killarney came out for the workshop to learn new skills for the future and help them get into the music industry.

“Thought it would be a great idea to get us out there and to learn new things from other musicians,” grade nine Killarney State School student William Tyler said.

BASS-SD tutor David Hume said it was a great way for young musicians to get a lot of self-confidence.

The workshops run from 3.30pm to 7pm on February 22 at Killarney Recreational Centre, March 8, 22 and April 6 at Warwick with a showcase on April 19 at Warwick.

For information phone Bonita Tyler on 4661 7166.