National Folk Festival Update

by | 16 Jun, 2012

The National Folk Festival folk have announced the appointment of Pam Merrigan to the position of Artistic Program Manager. Being selected from a field of 19 applicants is testament to the breadth, depth and quality of Pam’s involvement in the folk scene and in community music projects.

Pam’s career has included extensive experience in music education and as a festival organiser, professional musician, arts producer, radio broadcaster and developer of high quality community based music projects. Most will know her as the founder and director of the Turning Wave Festival from 2006 to 2012. Prior to this she was involved with the Newcastle and Wagga Festivals. She organised Folk clubs in Newcastle and Wagga and other successful production activities in Sydney which she initiated. She has been resident musician (guitar / keyboard) since 2006 for the Sydney Irish Ceili Dancers. She is also an accomplished fiddle player. Pam officially begins duties from the 23rd July.

Volunteer News:

The festival is always on the lookout for volunteers who may be interested in stepping up and taking on more responsibility throughout the year. If you have ever worked with a team, managed staff, have administrative experience, a background in retail or hospitality management, or you’re just keen to give it a go, then they’d like to hear from you.  Please vo******@fo**********.au" target="_blank"> email the Volunteer Manager if you are interested in taking on a more involved position at the 2013 Festival.

Festival Merchandise:

If you are a collector of their merchandise and would like a ‘retrospective’ 2012 festival t-shirt, in**@fo**********.au" target="_blank">please send them an email to register your interest (). Dependent on demand, we may well produce a limited edition shirt.

Seeking Artists:

If you would like to feature on the Education website – please send a 200 word max, potted description/bio of your self as a musician (as follows) with particular reference to your instrument.

  • Name/Location
  • Instrument played
  • Tradition/ Regional Style
  • No of years playing
  • What is your particular make of instrument and where you acquired it
  • How or whom you learnt to play from
  • Your influences
  • Recommended Recordings
  • If you teach or not
  • Your contact (if you wish – email)
  • JPEG Photo of yourself

Festival and Event Management Master Class:

The festival staff have  announced their involvement in presenting a Festival and Event Management Masterclass in Canberra this August. Run by Paul Gudgin, it is an intensive 2 day program designed to inform and inspire anyone involved in the business of creating, managing and developing festivals and events. It is a highly practical course full of ideas and examples to increase participants knowledge and improve their events. It includes sessions on key tasks and challenges for festival organisers such as Marketing, Press, Programming, Evaluation, Sponsorship and Fundraising.

Paul Gudgin has over 20 years experience in the management of festivals and events and was for 8 years the Director of the world’s largest arts festival, The Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Please visit their website for more information and to buy tickets.

Performer Applications Now Open:

Applications to perform at the 2013 Festival are now open. If you are interested in performing at next years festival please read through the important information on the performer pages on the Festival Website. Applications close 1 July 2012.

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