You are here: About WAM  >  WAM Programs  >  Regional Program
SOUNDS OF TOM PRICE CD LAUNCHES



WAM announces the CD launch of Sounds of Tom Price, the product of WAM's professional recording and song production tuition project conducted in Tom Price during April this year and the fourth instalment in WAM's "Sounds of" series. This community recording will be launched at Clem Thompson Oval on Friday August 10 from 5.30pm, as part of Tom Price's annual Nameless Jardunmunha Festival.

The inland town of Tom Price in WA's Pilbara region is well known for as an iron ore producer. Within close proximity to Karajini National Park, Tom Price is the most elevated centre in WA and is home to a small but talented music community. Sounds of Tom Price features nine tracks spanning Australian, classic and heavy styles of rock, reggae, pop and synth pop and reveals the depth and variety of songwriters living in Tom Price.

The CD launch will feature the artists performing tracks from the compilation. CDs will be made available for free to the local people of Tom Price, enhancing the awareness of local music within the community.

Rio Tinto is the principal sponsor of Sounds of Tom Price. The house in which this project was recorded was provided by The Shire of Ashburton. This project has been delivered as part of WAM's Regional program, which receives funding from the Australian Government's Regional Arts Fund through Country Arts WA.

Sounds Of Tom Price by musicwa






Sounds Of Tom Price

WAM is proud to announce that recording is underway in Tom Price for the fourth instalment in WAM’s ‘Sounds of’ Series of regional and remote recording projects.

WAM’s Regional Program, in partnership with engineers from Studio Couch, will deliver mentoring to Tom Price based musicians in home audio recording, whilst capturing the music of local bands and song-writers who have little access to professional studio recording opportunities.

In Production - to be Published by WAM ©2012

sound of shark bay



Sounds Of Wiluna

The Sounds of Wiluna compilation is the product of a professional recording and song production tuition project, conducted in Wiluna by WAM and Studio Couch over 10 days in June 2011.

Published by WAM ©2011

sound of shark bay


Sounds of Shark Bay

Sounds of Shark Bay
is a project bringing professional audio engineers/producers to Shark Bay to deliver a recording Tuition program for the locals. The development if this CD was one of the many great outcomes of this project. It is envisaged that this product will be used to create further development opportunities for the artists involved.

Published by WAM ©2008




Sounds of the Pilbara

The Sounds of the Pilbara concept was designed by WAM to provide sound recording and producing skills for emerging engineers in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The project placed two professional engineer/producers, Shaun O'Callaghan and George Nikoloudis, in Karratha to conduct a 14 day workshop with six engineers recording five acts from the Pilbara region in a 'home environment'.

One of the Pilbara region acts recorded during a ‘Sounds of’ project won a triple j unearthed competition, with the track they recorded during the program. 

Published by WAM ©2006




WAM announces the CD launch of Sounds of Tom Price, the product of WAM's professional recording and song production tuition project conducted in Tom Price during April this year and the fourth instalment in WAM's "Sounds of" series. This community recording will be launched at Clem Thompson Oval on Friday August 10 from 5.30pm, as part of Tom Price's annual Nameless Jardunmunha Festival.

The inland town of Tom Price in WA's Pilbara region is well known for as an iron ore producer. Within close proximity to Karajini National Park, Tom Price is the most elevated centre in WA and is home to a small but talented music community. Sounds of Tom Price features nine tracks spanning Australian, classic and heavy styles of rock, reggae, pop and synth pop and reveals the depth and variety of songwriters living in Tom Price.

The CD launch will feature the artists performing tracks from the compilation. CDs will be made available for free to the local people of Tom Price, enhancing the awareness of local music within the community.

Rio Tinto is the principal sponsor of Sounds of Tom Price. The house in which this project was recorded was provided by The Shire of Ashburton. This project has been delivered as part of WAM's Regional program, which receives funding from the Australian Government's Regional Arts Fund through Country Arts WA.

Sounds Of Tom Price by musicwa






Sounds Of Tom Price

WAM is proud to announce that recording is underway in Tom Price for the fourth instalment in WAM’s ‘Sounds of’ Series of regional and remote recording projects.

WAM’s Regional Program, in partnership with engineers from Studio Couch, will deliver mentoring to Tom Price based musicians in home audio recording, whilst capturing the music of local bands and song-writers who have little access to professional studio recording opportunities.

In Production - to be Published by WAM ©2012

sound of shark bay



Sounds Of Wiluna

The Sounds of Wiluna compilation is the product of a professional recording and song production tuition project, conducted in Wiluna by WAM and Studio Couch over 10 days in June 2011.

Published by WAM ©2011

sound of shark bay


Sounds of Shark Bay

Sounds of Shark Bay
is a project bringing professional audio engineers/producers to Shark Bay to deliver a recording Tuition program for the locals. The development if this CD was one of the many great outcomes of this project. It is envisaged that this product will be used to create further development opportunities for the artists involved.

Published by WAM ©2008




Sounds of the Pilbara

The Sounds of the Pilbara concept was designed by WAM to provide sound recording and producing skills for emerging engineers in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The project placed two professional engineer/producers, Shaun O'Callaghan and George Nikoloudis, in Karratha to conduct a 14 day workshop with six engineers recording five acts from the Pilbara region in a 'home environment'.

One of the Pilbara region acts recorded during a ‘Sounds of’ project won a triple j unearthed competition, with the track they recorded during the program. 

Published by WAM ©2006

WA Premier Listens to the Sounds of Tom Price
The Premier of Western Australia, Hon Colin Barnett, visited WAM's temporary recording studio in the Pilbara region on Wednesday, to hear some of the 'Sounds of Tom Price'.

The Premier and The Shire of Ashburton CEO, Jeffery Breen, acknowledged the importance of community music projects like this in regional WA, where most social interaction opportunities are based around sporting activities.

WAM's Regional Officer Nigel Bird explained to the Premier the importance of the 'Sounds of' projects in regional WA. "There are little, to no opportunities for artists and bands to record their songs professionally in much of regional WA. These projects inject vital recording skills and knowledge in to regional and remote areas, benefiting songwriters and musicians, whilst giving them to opportunity to professionally record a track with engineers from Studio Couch in Fremantle.”

Nominated for Recording Engineer of the Year in the 2012 WAMi Awards, Matt Giovannangelo played some of the newly recorded tracks to the Premier.

WAM's Sounds of Tom Price project is conducted as part of WAM's Regional program with assistance from Rio Tinto, The Shire of Ashburton and Country Arts WA through the Australian Government's Regional Arts Fund.



Photographer: Julie Glover, Shire of Ashburton
| Press size image HERE |
| Media release PDF |


For further information, please contact:
Nigel Bird, WAM Regional Officer
p: +61 (0)8 9227 7962 | WA Regional Toll-Free 1800 007 962
e: nigel@wam.asn.au
w: wam.asn.au/regional
The Premier of Western Australia, Hon Colin Barnett, visited WAM's temporary recording studio in the Pilbara region on Wednesday, to hear some of the 'Sounds of Tom Price'.

The Premier and The Shire of Ashburton CEO, Jeffery Breen, acknowledged the importance of community music projects like this in regional WA, where most social interaction opportunities are based around sporting activities.

WAM's Regional Officer Nigel Bird explained to the Premier the importance of the 'Sounds of' projects in regional WA. "There are little, to no opportunities for artists and bands to record their songs professionally in much of regional WA. These projects inject vital recording skills and knowledge in to regional and remote areas, benefiting songwriters and musicians, whilst giving them to opportunity to professionally record a track with engineers from Studio Couch in Fremantle.”

Nominated for Recording Engineer of the Year in the 2012 WAMi Awards, Matt Giovannangelo played some of the newly recorded tracks to the Premier.

WAM's Sounds of Tom Price project is conducted as part of WAM's Regional program with assistance from Rio Tinto, The Shire of Ashburton and Country Arts WA through the Australian Government's Regional Arts Fund.



Photographer: Julie Glover, Shire of Ashburton
| Press size image HERE |
| Media release PDF |


For further information, please contact:
Nigel Bird, WAM Regional Officer
p: +61 (0)8 9227 7962 | WA Regional Toll-Free 1800 007 962
e: nigel@wam.asn.au
w: wam.asn.au/regional
Wheatbelt Touring Music Circuit Update




After a whirlwind tour of the Wheatbelt over the weekend, Sneaky Weasel Gang and Justin Walshe wound up their trip at the Ye Olde Quindanning Inne, Quindanning on Sunday night.

Described by WAM Regional Officer, Nigel Bird, as “one of the best pubs in the state”, the Ye Olde Quindanning Inne is estimated to be 110 years old and has been a major meeting place and entertainment hub in the area for generations.

Sunday’s show saw more than 130 punters watch the Sneaky’s and Justin Walshe play in the beer garden oasis. Local support act, MC Optik played his first licensed venue show - a product of MC Optamus’ (Downsyde) workshops in the region, through the CANWA’s ‘Wheatbeats’ program.

Presented by WAM, RAC, Hertz and Country Arts WA, this tour is the last instalment of The Wheatbelt Touring Music Circuit pilot program, which aims to bring city and Wheatbelt music communities closer together, as well as raise awareness of road safety in the region.

Covering The Commercial Hotel (Merredin), The Grass Valley Tavern (Northam) and the Ye Olde Quindanning Inne, The Wheatbelt Music Touring Circuit has seen 32 acts play to a total audience of 2700, over 6 tours. The responses from the bands, venues and audiences have been resoundingly positive, proving Wheatbelt punters and venues alike love live, original WA music.




Ye Olde Quindanning Inne, Quindanning WA







After a whirlwind tour of the Wheatbelt over the weekend, Sneaky Weasel Gang and Justin Walshe wound up their trip at the Ye Olde Quindanning Inne, Quindanning on Sunday night.

Described by WAM Regional Officer, Nigel Bird, as “one of the best pubs in the state”, the Ye Olde Quindanning Inne is estimated to be 110 years old and has been a major meeting place and entertainment hub in the area for generations.

Sunday’s show saw more than 130 punters watch the Sneaky’s and Justin Walshe play in the beer garden oasis. Local support act, MC Optik played his first licensed venue show - a product of MC Optamus’ (Downsyde) workshops in the region, through the CANWA’s ‘Wheatbeats’ program.

Presented by WAM, RAC, Hertz and Country Arts WA, this tour is the last instalment of The Wheatbelt Touring Music Circuit pilot program, which aims to bring city and Wheatbelt music communities closer together, as well as raise awareness of road safety in the region.

Covering The Commercial Hotel (Merredin), The Grass Valley Tavern (Northam) and the Ye Olde Quindanning Inne, The Wheatbelt Music Touring Circuit has seen 32 acts play to a total audience of 2700, over 6 tours. The responses from the bands, venues and audiences have been resoundingly positive, proving Wheatbelt punters and venues alike love live, original WA music.




Ye Olde Quindanning Inne, Quindanning WA



2012 Wheatbelt Contemporary Music Touring Circuit
WAM is excited to announce a pilot initiative to develop a new regional contemporary music touring circuit in the Wheatbelt region.

The third weekend of each month from February through to July this year will see some of WA's brightest bands touring with solo acts in the Wheatbelt. A recent harvest of Wheatbelt based original music acts will play alongside touring acts at each event.

The tour bus will stop in at The Commercial Hotel in Merredin on Friday nights, Grass Valley Tavern (8km East of Northam) on Saturday nights and the Ye Olde Quindanning Inne, will host Sunday afternoon shows.

All shows are free entry as part of WAM's audience development strategy.

The Wheatbelt tour will also be used to promote road safety in the region through a new partnership with the RAC. The Wheatbelt is one of Western Australia’s worst regions for road safety and the Wheatbelt Touring Music Circuit will deliver high impact road safety messages focused on the three biggest contributors to fatal crashes in the region; drink driving, fatigue and seatbelts.

This project is part of WAM's Regional Program and is delivered with assistance from The Australian Government through the Regional Arts Fund and Country Arts WA. The RAC and Hertz are valued project sponsors.

For more information go to wam.asn.au/regional or follow the tours on twitter.com/wamregional or facebook.com/wamregional

 
February
with Split Seconds and Sam Carmody


Fri 17 Feb 8:00pm | The Commercial Hotel, Merredin, with Vanilla Pils
Sat 18 Feb 8:00pm | Grass Valley Tavern, with Lauren Arthur
Sunday 19 Feb 12-noon | Ye Olde Quindanning Inne, with Ryan Webb




March

with Boom! Bap! Pow! and Jonny Taylor

Fri 16 Mar 8pm | The Commercial Hotel, Merredin, with Gauge Harder (Bruce Rock)
Sat 17 Mar 8pm | Grass Valley Tavern, with Gus McKay (Pithara)
Sun 18 Mar 12-noon | Ye Olde Quindanning Inne, with Eppaphras (Newdegate)




April

with The Ghost Hotel and Polly Medlen

Fri 20 Apr 8pm | The Commercial Hotel, Merredin, with Codie Sundstrom (Dalwallinu)
Sat 21 Apr 8pm | Grass Valley Tavern, with Mel Hall (Northam)
Sun 22 Apr 12-noon | Ye Olde Quindanning Inne, with Alex Watt (Williams)




May

with The Siren Tower and Ryan Webb

Fri 18 May 8pm | The Commercial Hotel, Merredin, with Vanila Pils
Sat 19 May 8pm | Grass Valley Tavern, with Doris
Sun 20 May 12-noon | Ye Olde Quindanning Inne, with Tim Dawes




June

with Cal Peck and The Tramps and Rachel Gorman (Rachel and Henry Climb a Hill)

Fri 15 Jun 8pm | The Commercial Hotel, Merredin, with Gauge Harder
Sat 16 Jun 8pm | Grass Valley Tavern, with Field Trip
Sun 17 Jun 12-noon | Ye Olde Quindanning Inne, with Jase Norton


For further information, please contact:
Nigel Bird, WAM Regional Officer
p: +61 (0)8 9227 7962 - WA Regional Toll-Free: 1800 007 962
e: nigel@wam.asn.au
w: wam.asn.au/regional
WAM is excited to announce a pilot initiative to develop a new regional contemporary music touring circuit in the Wheatbelt region.

The third weekend of each month from February through to July this year will see some of WA's brightest bands touring with solo acts in the Wheatbelt. A recent harvest of Wheatbelt based original music acts will play alongside touring acts at each event.

The tour bus will stop in at The Commercial Hotel in Merredin on Friday nights, Grass Valley Tavern (8km East of Northam) on Saturday nights and the Ye Olde Quindanning Inne, will host Sunday afternoon shows.

All shows are free entry as part of WAM's audience development strategy.

The Wheatbelt tour will also be used to promote road safety in the region through a new partnership with the RAC. The Wheatbelt is one of Western Australia’s worst regions for road safety and the Wheatbelt Touring Music Circuit will deliver high impact road safety messages focused on the three biggest contributors to fatal crashes in the region; drink driving, fatigue and seatbelts.

This project is part of WAM's Regional Program and is delivered with assistance from The Australian Government through the Regional Arts Fund and Country Arts WA. The RAC and Hertz are valued project sponsors.

For more information go to wam.asn.au/regional or follow the tours on twitter.com/wamregional or facebook.com/wamregional

 
February
with Split Seconds and Sam Carmody


Fri 17 Feb 8:00pm | The Commercial Hotel, Merredin, with Vanilla Pils
Sat 18 Feb 8:00pm | Grass Valley Tavern, with Lauren Arthur
Sunday 19 Feb 12-noon | Ye Olde Quindanning Inne, with Ryan Webb




March

with Boom! Bap! Pow! and Jonny Taylor

Fri 16 Mar 8pm | The Commercial Hotel, Merredin, with Gauge Harder (Bruce Rock)
Sat 17 Mar 8pm | Grass Valley Tavern, with Gus McKay (Pithara)
Sun 18 Mar 12-noon | Ye Olde Quindanning Inne, with Eppaphras (Newdegate)




April

with The Ghost Hotel and Polly Medlen

Fri 20 Apr 8pm | The Commercial Hotel, Merredin, with Codie Sundstrom (Dalwallinu)
Sat 21 Apr 8pm | Grass Valley Tavern, with Mel Hall (Northam)
Sun 22 Apr 12-noon | Ye Olde Quindanning Inne, with Alex Watt (Williams)




May

with The Siren Tower and Ryan Webb

Fri 18 May 8pm | The Commercial Hotel, Merredin, with Vanila Pils
Sat 19 May 8pm | Grass Valley Tavern, with Doris
Sun 20 May 12-noon | Ye Olde Quindanning Inne, with Tim Dawes




June

with Cal Peck and The Tramps and Rachel Gorman (Rachel and Henry Climb a Hill)

Fri 15 Jun 8pm | The Commercial Hotel, Merredin, with Gauge Harder
Sat 16 Jun 8pm | Grass Valley Tavern, with Field Trip
Sun 17 Jun 12-noon | Ye Olde Quindanning Inne, with Jase Norton


For further information, please contact:
Nigel Bird, WAM Regional Officer
p: +61 (0)8 9227 7962 - WA Regional Toll-Free: 1800 007 962
e: nigel@wam.asn.au
w: wam.asn.au/regional
2012 Boyup Brook Country Music Festival Youth Stage
 

  
WAM's Regional program has announced a partnership with the Boyup Brook Country Music Festival, 15-19 February, working to deliver the Youth Stage on Saturday 18 February 9:00am - 2:00pm.

This year's stage line up offers a diverse range of contemporary country acts, with Ruby Boots (WAMi winner for Best Country Music Act 2011), Tank 7even (WAM Song of the Year Country winner 2011), Jennifer Hannan (WAM Song of the Year 2010 Schools nominee), Allanna Eileen, Molly, & the Boyup Brook School Band.

The Boyup Brook Country Music Festival is Western Australia’s premier Country Music Festival - five big days of music, fun and laughter.

This event is particularly important to Western Australia as it is the biggest showcase for country music in this State. The festival attracts all ages, providing a friendly atmosphere of entertainment and a great getaway.

This year's music line up features: The Songbirds, Beccy Cole, Gina Jeffreys, Sara Storer, Jason Lee, Doug Bruce, Pixie Jenkins, Peter Coad & The Coad Sisters, Jane Germain & Ian Simpson, Jim Hermal & The Hot Chix, Karen Lynne & Martin Louis Duo, Connie Kis Andersen, John Bennett, Steve Haywood, Deb Beckett, Kate Linke Sharon, Vicki Lee- Billy Higginson & the Outback Country Band, Evan Plaschinda, Fred Ryan, Tracy Barnett, Codee-Lee & Jonny Taylor... plus the WA Country Music Awards & many more activities throughout the festival!

Ticketing and accommodation options are all available online at www.countrymusicwa.com.au - or by calling the Boyup Brook Country Music Club on (08) 9765 1657.

For more information about WAM’s regional program, head to wam.asn.au/regional

 

  
WAM's Regional program has announced a partnership with the Boyup Brook Country Music Festival, 15-19 February, working to deliver the Youth Stage on Saturday 18 February 9:00am - 2:00pm.

This year's stage line up offers a diverse range of contemporary country acts, with Ruby Boots (WAMi winner for Best Country Music Act 2011), Tank 7even (WAM Song of the Year Country winner 2011), Jennifer Hannan (WAM Song of the Year 2010 Schools nominee), Allanna Eileen, Molly, & the Boyup Brook School Band.

The Boyup Brook Country Music Festival is Western Australia’s premier Country Music Festival - five big days of music, fun and laughter.

This event is particularly important to Western Australia as it is the biggest showcase for country music in this State. The festival attracts all ages, providing a friendly atmosphere of entertainment and a great getaway.

This year's music line up features: The Songbirds, Beccy Cole, Gina Jeffreys, Sara Storer, Jason Lee, Doug Bruce, Pixie Jenkins, Peter Coad & The Coad Sisters, Jane Germain & Ian Simpson, Jim Hermal & The Hot Chix, Karen Lynne & Martin Louis Duo, Connie Kis Andersen, John Bennett, Steve Haywood, Deb Beckett, Kate Linke Sharon, Vicki Lee- Billy Higginson & the Outback Country Band, Evan Plaschinda, Fred Ryan, Tracy Barnett, Codee-Lee & Jonny Taylor... plus the WA Country Music Awards & many more activities throughout the festival!

Ticketing and accommodation options are all available online at www.countrymusicwa.com.au - or by calling the Boyup Brook Country Music Club on (08) 9765 1657.

For more information about WAM’s regional program, head to wam.asn.au/regional

WAM Regional

WAM's Regional program supports and develops regional WA music, through building, maintaining and developing relationships with many regional music organisations, groups and individuals throughout rural and remote Western Australia.

In 2006, WAM's Regional program secured funding from the Regional Arts Fund through Country Arts WA, enabling WAM to staff the Regional Officer position full-time and to provide travel and project funding. Projects include extensive, professional music industry workshops across the state, plus regional roundtable meetings to support and advise musicians and local industry workers of all ages.


Country Arts WA                Regional Arts Fund

WAM's Regional program gratefully acknowledges the vital assistance of
Country Arts WA and the Regional Arts Fund.




Stay tuned to wam.asn.au/regional and subscribe to our free WAM Regional email list for the latest delivered directly to your inbox!



 
WAM REGIONAL SOCIAL MEDIA STATION:
Short URL: bit.ly/WAMregional
QR Code: bit.ly/WAMregional.qr
Facebook: facebook.com/musicwa
Twitter: twitter.com/musicwa
Hashtag: #WAMregional
 



WAM's Regional program supports and develops regional WA music, through building, maintaining and developing relationships with many regional music organisations, groups and individuals throughout rural and remote Western Australia.

In 2006, WAM's Regional program secured funding from the Regional Arts Fund through Country Arts WA, enabling WAM to staff the Regional Officer position full-time and to provide travel and project funding. Projects include extensive, professional music industry workshops across the state, plus regional roundtable meetings to support and advise musicians and local industry workers of all ages.


Country Arts WA                Regional Arts Fund

WAM's Regional program gratefully acknowledges the vital assistance of
Country Arts WA and the Regional Arts Fund.




Stay tuned to wam.asn.au/regional and subscribe to our free WAM Regional email list for the latest delivered directly to your inbox!



 
WAM REGIONAL SOCIAL MEDIA STATION:
Short URL: bit.ly/WAMregional
QR Code: bit.ly/WAMregional.qr
Facebook: facebook.com/musicwa
Twitter: twitter.com/musicwa
Hashtag: #WAMregional
 


 

Love benefits? Join WAM Now!




OR





 






Love benefits? Join WAM Now!




OR





 





Web Hosting | Website Hosting

Contact
For more information about WAM's Regional Program, please contact:

Nigel Bird
Regional Officer
email
nigel@wam.asn.au
phone
+61 (0)8 9227 7962
mobile

regional1800 007 962
twitter
@WAMregional


wam.asn.au/regional
facebook.com/wamregional

For more information about WAM's Regional Program, please contact:

Nigel Bird
Regional Officer
email
nigel@wam.asn.au
phone
+61 (0)8 9227 7962
mobile

regional1800 007 962
twitter
@WAMregional


wam.asn.au/regional
facebook.com/wamregional

About Nigel


Nigel Bird has been the Regional Officer for WAM - The West Australian Music Industry Association since 2003. In this position Nigel has toured contemporary music artists and completed specific contemporary music skills development projects in every major centre, in every region of WA.

Nigel has extensive festival event experience from roles including site electrician to stage management. Since 2004 Nigel has managed the ‘artist inner sanctums' of major festivals, including Southbound, Laneway and West Coast Blues and Roots Festivals.

Nigel booked and managed entertainment for The Grosvenor (2000-02) and Swan Hotel (2002-06). He was chairperson for the WA branch of the Music Managers Forum in the early 2000’s, a committee member of the Next Big Thing Statewide band competition (03-07) and has been a funding panelist for the State Governments Dept. Culture and The Arts since 2001.

After playing his first ‘pub gig’ in 1994, Nigel has always remained active as a performing artist in several bands - touring Australia and Western Australia extensively, from performing in small venues to the playing on national festival stages.



Nigel Bird has been the Regional Officer for WAM - The West Australian Music Industry Association since 2003. In this position Nigel has toured contemporary music artists and completed specific contemporary music skills development projects in every major centre, in every region of WA.

Nigel has extensive festival event experience from roles including site electrician to stage management. Since 2004 Nigel has managed the ‘artist inner sanctums' of major festivals, including Southbound, Laneway and West Coast Blues and Roots Festivals.

Nigel booked and managed entertainment for The Grosvenor (2000-02) and Swan Hotel (2002-06). He was chairperson for the WA branch of the Music Managers Forum in the early 2000’s, a committee member of the Next Big Thing Statewide band competition (03-07) and has been a funding panelist for the State Governments Dept. Culture and The Arts since 2001.

After playing his first ‘pub gig’ in 1994, Nigel has always remained active as a performing artist in several bands - touring Australia and Western Australia extensively, from performing in small venues to the playing on national festival stages.