
Beyond The Bell
Program: Education
Building capacity for an ongoing complex systems change initative in South West Victoria
ProjectMelbourne Digital Concert Hall: long-term sustainability of live concert streaming
Amount$50,000
Date2020
ProgramArts and Culture
HMSTrust RAPID RESPONSE GRANT | |
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COVID-19 | After COVID-19 shut down the entire arts sector almost overnight, Melbourne Digital Concert Hall was rapidly created by musicians for musicians, as a means for Australian artists to continue their profession and to connect to audiences through music and technology. Melbourne Chamber Orchestra provided the ideal ensemble-in-residence to ensure the initiative could grow into a sustainable long-term digital platform for musicians. |
Supporting musicians during challenging times
Melbourne Digital Concert Hall provides a safe concert platform, generates income directly to musicians, maintains a connection with existing audiences, improves equity of access for those unable to visit a concert hall, and acts as a pilot for the long-term sustainability of live concert streaming. By November 2020, $800,000 had been earned by 350+ musicians in over 200 recitals.
Image A livestreamed concert by Melbourne Digital Concert Hall from the Athenaeum Theatre during the COVID-19 lockdown of Melbourne in 2020.
Largely ineligible for JobKeeper due to the nature of their work, professional musicians found themselves with no income and no performance opportunities for the foreseeable future. Thousands of concertgoers around Victoria were deprived of an outlet for inspiration and lost a treasured connection to ‘their’ artists. Ironically, as the community turned to recorded music for solace and company, the artists themselves were unable to make a living. Melbourne Chamber Orchestra (MCO) and Melbourne Digital Concert Hall (MDCH) formed a partnership to facilitate the delivery of 100 live-streamed concerts on 50 evenings between June 2020 and January 2021.
Snapshot:
“Melbourne Digital Concert Hall has provided a solution for Melbourne musicians to continue to focus on their craft and creativity.” Zoe Knighton, Cellist, Flinders Quartet
Program: Education
Building capacity for an ongoing complex systems change initative in South West Victoria
Program: Environment
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Program: Arts and Culture
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Program: Community
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Program: Education
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