The monthly club nights began in August 2004 and continue as our core activity. They are friendly and informal evenings for all lovers of folk music, folk singing and folk dancing. All are welcome. Bring along an instrument or just come and enjoy the music at 7:30pm on the fourth Friday of each month ( see calendar ).
The Newport Bush Orchestra has been running since early 2006. Under the leadership of local musician Greg O'Leary, the Orchestra has developed an impressive reportoire of Australian traditonal tunes. New members are always welcome. The Orchestra performs regularly at the Newport Fiddle and Folk Club.
The Newport Bush Orchestra runs on a number of principles that make it different from a ‘classical’ orchestra:
Greg O'Leary is a professional musician who has played with many folk and bush bands. He has also worked as a music teacher in schools. The success of a bush orchestra Greg led in 2004 with the Ringwood Folk Club inspired the Newport Fiddle and Folk Club to have a go too, and with some funding support from the Australian Folk Life Fund, the Newport Bush Orchestra was born.
As a conductor Greg has the ability to coach and encourage beginning musicians while inspiring more experienced musicians with his encyclopaedic musical knowledge. Every tune has a story and Greg seems to know them all. His infectious enthusiasm unites a group of disparate musicians and instruments into an accomplished orchestra.The Newport Bush Orchestra will resume in 2008. The first term will be spent preparing for the Newport Lakes Bush Dance and then the group will continue to develop both their repertoire and their performance skills under the guidance of Greg O'Leary.
• Term 1: Monday Feb 4 to Monday March 17
6 Weeks (no session after the Bush Dance - March 10)
Cost: $50
• Term 2: Monday April 14 to Monday June 9
9 Weeks
Terms Fees: $80
• Term 3: Monday July 21 to Monday September 15
9 Weeks
Term Fees: $80
Venue:
Outlets Neighbourhood House
43 Mason St Newport
Michael Stewart
Phone: (03) 9399 4466
This is a new initiative, due to start on Wednesday 15 October.
Come along, join this new choir and experience the fun of singing with others in a supportive environment. There are no auditions, just join in and have a go! There is a place in this choir for everyone – whether you have a little experience as a singer, a lot or none at all.
Since first joining a choir ten years ago, Alan has sung in choirs large and small and has led singing workshops for schools and festivals. Along with his musical skills, Alan has developed a passion for choral singing and a firm belief that singing is for everyone, not just pop idols.
The choir repertoire will include gospel songs, rounds, hymns and songs from diverse cultures. We hope to include some contemporary songs too, and…whatever else we feel inspired to sing!
7:30 – 9:00pm, Wednesdays 15 October - 12 December 2008...and ongoing in 2009.
Outlets Neighbourhood House, 43 Mason St Newport.
$80 for a 9-week term. Not sure? Come along for a free try-out session. If you like it, pay for the rest of the term at $10 per session. We will perform regularly at the monthly NFFC club nights.
Call Alan Davies on 9391 1103, or .
Download flyer.In April-June 2008 the NFFC ran a series of 5 music workshops:
See our Reports page for photos and reports on these highly successful events.
We plan to run another series next year.
(Thanks to Hobsons Bay City Council for funding the workshop series.)
Two NFFC regulars - Greg Hammond and Simon Leverton - have teamed up with Breizoz Crêperie in Williamstown to create a monthly acoustic music event in the wonderful atmosphere of Breizoz's live music venue - a former chapel at the back of the building.
Every month they present a 'headline' performer with local support acts.
The NFFC and Friends of Newport Lakes organise an annual Bush Dance at Newport Lakes Park.
The Newport Fiddle and Folk Festival took place on 4,5 and 6 July 2008. We hope it will become an annual event.
See the Reports Page for details.
NFFC musicians pop up at festivals, fetes, celebrations and concerts from Williamstown to Colbinabbin and beyond. See our Calendar for what's on.