Warrnambool's Dale Cleves Music stage gives musicians a space to play

Warrnambool Standard 1st Nov 2019

Ron Philp knows how important it is to nurture budding musicians. He sees it everyday in his Dale Cleves Music store and in students coming in for their lessons. "It's very important to get experience as a young musician," he said. "What I've found, is when people practice at home, they're perfectly fine. But when they step on stage, it's a completely different story. "The opportunity to get on a stage like this is another way of progressing." A permanent fixture at the rear of his store is a stage. Fitted out with instruments, lights, sound equipment, microphones and up to 50 seats, the space is waiting for musicians of all genres to jump up and get a feel for performing. "We found at a few of our teachers' concerts, at first some people would have tears and feel like they didn't want to go through with their pieces," Mr Philp said. "But once they jumped up and played, they started wanting more. "The first time is always daunting and intimidating, but once you practice, performing becomes a pleasure. "If I can use this space to create something to give someone that first opportunity - wow!"

MUSIC TIME: Dale Cleves store manager Ron Philp and Warrnambool's Darren Ely contributed to the idea of having a stage at the back of the store. Picture: Mark Witte



For 15 months the stage has welcomed bands to give insightful and educational performances to music students and schools. It has also been a place where people have come to try out their new pieces, practice and find their place of comfort under the bright lights. Warrnambool musician and teacher Darren Ely is delighted to use the stage and encourages his students to do the same at an opportunity. "Something like this never existed when I was getting going," he said. "This allows local musicians, bands and solo artists a small place to play. "It's a controlled environment, all-ages friendly and we can change the space to suit our needs." The stage has also allowed customers to try out instruments before purchasing and get a proper indication of the sound. Mr Philp hopes more people will come along to test their skills on the stage and he also welcomes those wanting to learn about lights and sound mastering. "This stage can be the first stepping stone for people to get to the stages they want to perform at around town," he said. "Musicians can just play for themselves, their friends and family. "It's a place for young musicians to have a chance." Dale Cleves Music is located at 238 Timor Street, Warrnambool. To use the stage, simply ask in store.

Warrnambool Primary School graced by Anita Hoekstra's music program

Published in the Warrnambool Standard 26th Oct. 2019

Anita Hoekstra could never have imagined her idea for a music concert per term would transform students and the curriculum at Warrnambool Primary School. Nine years and 36 concerts later, Mrs Hoekstra's Musica Prima held its last concert on Thursday at the school. "There weren't many music teachers at the school nine years ago," she said. "I did a survey asking students if they had music in their households, if they'd heard of instruments like the French Horn or if they'd played a piano and the response was really poor. "I brought this to the attention of the board and I asked if we could have a concert a term to bring more music into the school and they said yes." Mrs Hoekstra, an accomplished pianist and teacher in her own right, gathered her musical contacts to organise the free concerts to bring a range of genres and instruments into the Jamieson Street primary school. The Tin Shed singers performed for Warrnambool Primary School at Anita Hokestra's final Musica Prima.  "I'm really passionate about passing on music," she said. "I've had music all my life, my mother was an opera singer and my father was an organist and I started playing young. "If we don't have children playing music, there will be no one to fill the shoes of our orchestras." The program grew and was allocated funding from local trusts, allowing students to hire and take violin lessons for free for a year on top of the growing list of instrumental music programs at the school. "We now have lots of instruments here and all sorts of choirs, duos and bands," Mrs Hoekstra said. "A little girl came up to me and said she wanted to start a choir. She went and got three of her friends and the four of them sang to me. "A child once left a concert and said to his teacher 'now there's music in my heart'. "I've always wanted Musica Prima to bring a smile to the children and for them to learn, love and appreciate music." Musica Prima saw everything from jazz, classical, vocals, folk, Irish, blue grass and solo performers grace the Warrnambool Primary School stage. "A big thank you must go to all the performers who donated their time and energy to show the children that music is fun," she said. "Performers have closed their offices, surgeries and law firms to come and perform for the school. "They've come from Hamilton and Colac and all of them do it because they feel they same as I - it's important for children to be introduced to music." A child once left a concert and said to his teacher 'now there's music in my heart'. Musica Prima is embedded within Warrnambool primary and has helped establish a strong music program at the school. Mrs Hoekstra will remain as a piano teacher at the school and now hopes to take the program to other schools in need of music. Warrnambool Primary School principal Peter Auchettl believes Mrs Hoekstra has been instrumental in bringing music to students' lives. "The work Anita has done has given children the opportunity to access music and has broadened our programs across the whole school," he said. "Her gentle nature with the students has meant they've come to love music. "Now children can learn saxophone, violin, keyboards, guitar, drums and vocals and that's something we wouldn't have had five years ago."

Keeze -- Warrnambool band

Keeze - around 1980. Larry Lawson, Peter Wong, Barry Galbraith, Neil Anderson, Rob Granter and ??

Country Music Club -- Warrnambool

Michael Schack, Arty Hoey, Vanessa Waara, Joe Musico, Rob Grey (Rob Lehmann obscured) Country Music Club event @ Warrnambool Bowls Club 20th Oct. 2019

20 Mar 2022

 

Photo from January 2024

Photo of the house band with guest artists "The Shelly Jones Band" 18 Feb 2023