ABOUT SOUNDS GREAT! 2009

Sounds Great! is the Victorian statewide music education conference. Sounds Great! is an extensive professional learning event that consists of inspiring keynote address, exemplary student performances, practical and theoretical breakout sessions, a gala concert, trade exhibition and social activities. Sounds Great! explores a range of curriculum approaches, rehearsal and conducting techniques, repertoire, jazz and improvisation, music advocacy and technology. Sounds Great! is a meeting place for all music educators from government, catholic and independent schools, a bringing together of instrumental and classroom music teachers from prep to VCE – for all methods and all philosophies of music education.

Venue
Located at the city fringe and at the south end of Bohemian Brunswick Street, Australian Catholic University offers a perfect conference venue in a central location. The gathering place of the conference will be Central Hall, built in 1904 by the Catholic Archdiocese, which combines a magnificently restored auditorium with modern functionality. Central Hall will host all the keynote sessions and concerts. The adjoining classrooms, lecture theatres and facilities at the neighbouring Metropole Conference Centre offer modern comfortable spaces for the clinic sessions.

Keynotes
Sounds Great! has assembled an inspiring line up of keynote presenters. We are thrilled to host so many outstanding international presenters. Each day of the conference will feature a keynote presentation that also includes a performance by an outstanding student group.

Clinics
The depth and breadth of the clinics offered at Sounds Great! is truly amazing. There is enough excellent content here to fuel a music education conference for a month. Unfortunately, we only have three days! There is something for everyone at Sounds Great! Many of the clinics are interactive. Delegates should bring their main instrument if possible.

Concerts
An important feature of Sounds Great! is the extensive range of performances that take place. Each keynote presentation will feature a student performance. There will be a lunchtime concert each day, and a Gala Concert featuring some of Victoria’s top school age and community ensembles. There will be an opportunity for chamber groups to perform at the special twighlight concert at 6.15pm on Saturday 18 July. Sounds Great! isn’t just talking about music. It’s about making music too.

Trade Exhibition
Retailers will be on site to provide delegates with an opportunity to peruse and purchase sheet music, instruments, text books, hardware, software and accessories.

Catering
Registration includes arrival coffee, morning tea and lunch, which will be served in the campus cafeteria. Please advise if there are any special dietary requirements. A conference dinner will be held on Saturday 18 July at a cost of $65 per head.

Pre Conference Reception
Sounds Great! offers several opportunities to mix with your colleagues in a relaxed atmosphere. Kick off the conference at the Pre-conference Reception at 7.00pm on Thursday 16 July. Many of the local and international presenters will be there as well as many of the traders. Please indicate your attendance on the registration form. A cash bar will operate.

Conference Dinner
The Conference Dinner will be held at 7.30 pm at The Metropole Hotel. The cost of the dinner is $65 per head. Entertainment will be provided by Trevor Jones. A feature of the conference dinner will be an ‘open mic’. Bring your sheet music and belt out your favourite old ballad or music theatre song.

Costs
Full registration fee is $375 which includes the Pre-conference Reception and Gala Concert. Daily registration fees are $165 per day for Friday or Saturday, and $150 for Sunday. Attend any two days for $275. Full time undergraduate tertiary students may attend at half price. Student ID required.