The Music Trust works with energy, imagination and authority for music in Australia

Rajiv Jayaweera at Freedman Jazz 2013.
Photo by Keith Saunders

The Freedman Classical Fellow for 2017 is pianist/composer Emma Grace Stephenson. Emma was selected by the judges, musicians Mike Nock, Phillip Johnston and Stu Hunter on the basis of her submitted recordings, project design for her use of the $20,000 prize and her performance in the finalists' play-off at the Freedman Jazz concert at The Studio of Sydney Opera House on October 30. Emma has just moved from Sydney to New York and will make a recording there, partnering with Australian and American vocalists for whom she has specially written songs. The other finalists were Ellen Kirkwood, who at the Sydney Opera House performed her own compositions with the Sirens (mostly female) big band, and trumpeter Nick Garbett, who performed with his co-led band The Vampires - a band that gives blood.
The Freedman Classical Fellow for 2017 is bassoonist Matthew Kneale from Melbourne. He was selected by judges Elaine Chia, CEO of City Recital Hall, Dr Stephen Mould, Senior Lecturer in Conducting and Opera Studies at Sydney Conservatorium, and Kirsten Williams, Associate Concertmaster of Sydney Symphony, at a concert hosted by ABC Classic FM on September 9.. Matthew's ambition is to be ambassador for the bassoon, commissioning new works, performing internationally and raising its profile as a solo instrument.

Thanks as always to funding from the Freedman Foundation, without which the Fellowships are not possible.

The winners’ lists since inception in 2001 read like a Who’s Who of younger jazz and classical musicians.

Freedman Music Fellowship information

The only knowledge base in the world that deals systematically with the music of an entire country. Facts in words and numbers about music in Australia – and discussions of key issues facing various areas of musical activity. See more.

There is a lot of thought and research behind school music education advocacy.

ARGUMENT FOR SPECIALIST MUSIC TEACHERS. Primary school music education in many states is in crisis. Teachers are not educated to teach music and in the majority of schools in most states, there is not a classroom music program. After decades of neglect, The Music Trust believes that the only – and best – solution is the introduction into every classroom of a specialist music teacher. Read the reasoning here.
There is a new reassessment of the advocacy arguments. Look under EDUCATION > ADVOCACY ARGUMENTS.

RESEARCH SUMMARY. There is abundant research in music education showing that its benefits extend well beyond learning music skills to improvements in IQ, academic outcomes,confidence, empathy, social skills and more. Read a quick summary of these research outcomes here.