Since 1979 The Boite has believed in the importance of music in storytelling, cultural identity, and community resilience. We have now curated and presented over 5,000 performances where audiences have experienced the intimacy and connection that only a live music setting can provide, and our artists have been given a platform to share and develop their art and traditions.
As the cost of living takes on increasing importance in our community, audiences become more selective about live entertainment. The Boite’s live music events continue to present consistently high quality bespoke performances which draw audiences back time and again. Our name has become synonymous with music that has the power to connect, transcend and transport. We thank you for supporting our calendar of events this past year, and we need your help to sustain our work in enriching the local music landscape.
Here are some of the recent outcomes your gifts have enabled.
In 2022 The Boite delivered our first Portfolio project, where 10 emerging artists were mentored in music industry and performance skills, culminating in two showcase events in October at Collingwood Yards. The Boite have continued to work with several of these artists, bringing them to new audiences and placing their music in new contexts.
One of these artists is Misagh Zamani, led a new collaboration with Rosa Voto, Vinod Prasanna and Ria Soemardjo, featuring four rich traditions - Indian, Iranian, Indonesian and Italian, while exploring how various musical traditions in Australia evolve and transform.
Another Portfolio alumni, Colombian duo Pal Mar, have continued to collaborate with The Boite, and now we are thrilled to present them at Melbourne Recital Centre this coming September.
This year the Portfolio artist showcase “Flight” will be a feature event in City of Yarra’s Leaps and Bounds Music Festival at Fitzroy Town Hall. Portfolio 2023 once again features a huge range of talent and diverse musical influences, and we are delighted to present our new cohort of artists within a respected festival.
The Boite believes that a truly sustainable music landscape does not simply involve creating opportunities for artists to perform, but also requires space for artists to create. Recently, we were very proud to present the World Premier of Blue on Blue by Anne Norman as part of Matsudo Week. Noted composer and shakuhachi player Anne created this spellbinding ensemble work about Victoria’s Surf Coast in response to a commission by the Peter and Susan Yates Foundation.
Among other recent standout events are: Sparrows of Kabul featuring Fred Smith and Afghanistani group Kabul Birds Band, Polyfonix intercultural festival, Melbourne Veena Festival, inter-disciplinary play Konstantin, Harp Stories and many more.
In 2023 we are also thrilled to see the Boite Schools Chorus return to its normal pre-pandemic concert format. This popular project sees children from schools statewide come together for three massed choir performances, providing not only music skills, but also a unique collaborative experience that past participants have continued to remark on years afterwards. This year’s theme is “Maiem - Songs of the Torres Straits”, and will offer an opportunity for students to listen, learn, experience and perform songs that share the richness and diversity of the Torres Strait Islands First Nations peoples.
We need your support to continue delivering these projects and events, and to provide ongoing pathways for artists to share and explore their work.
Help support this cause by creating your own 'CrowdRaiser' fundraising page.
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