With a vision to unite the community through arts, the first Shepp Music Week fulfilled all expectations and more.
The week-long series of workshops, performances and in-conversations hosted on Yorta Yorta country in Shepparton was curated to celebrate being the First Nations and multicultural music capital of regional Victoria.
Shepp Music Week saw five free workshops and one free and two ticketed live music events run by a host of professionals from the community and beyond.
The events showcased local talents, along with bringing in huge music names such as Isaiah Firebrace, KIAN and Kaiit to the town.
Still Here Arts and Culture executive director and DRMNGNOW musician Neil Morris was part of the creative team executing the events.
Mr Morris said the week prioritised multicultural voices in the community and provided a space for connection.
“It was great to work with the team that I was able to contribute in a way that respected First Nations leadership and the value of First Nations participation, not just as an add-on but as essential and pertinent to the way our music community can grow,” he said.
“The biggest takeaway for me was people being inspired and connecting to others, to have them feel that there are pathways for them that are powerful and valuable, that maybe they didn’t get to connect in that kind of way previously.”
As part of Still Here Arts and Culture, Mr Morris presented workshops, co-hosted an event on developing music environments on First Nations land and assembled a particularly significant event with Yorta Yorta artists, Baiyiya Yapaneyepuk – Song Together.
Isaiah, Bricky B, Shanikwa AJ, Lillie Walker and DJVM took to the Eastbank Shepparton stage in a special moment, Mr Morris said, forming a “complete connected group of people” with the audience.
Mr Morris said the week showed the broader scope of what the region was capable of producing.
He said it was a prime example of how intertwining events considered “cutting edge” with local acts provided a high-calibre event.
“Community-based is not necessarily a level below anything else that’s been put together; when you can showcase it in a way we’re able to, with support of Riverlinks, then we can present something powerful and world class in its own way,” he said.
Music Victoria regional manager Sarah DeBorre was “thrilled” with how it went, with the most prominent goal of bringing the community together achieved.
“If one person had a moment that has impacted them in their journey, in relation to music, then we’ve done our job,” she said.
She described the events as uplifting, showing a vast range of audiences from budding to professional creatives alike making network connections.
From intimate group settings to larger performances, Ms DeBorre said she was blown away by the commitment of the buzzing community.
“With anything, these things start from something smaller and then they grow,” she said.
“Building a network and music community takes time, it takes putting in that energy, effort and resources to continue building on it.
“I think we’ve started a groundswell, and with any luck, we will be able to get further funding from Creative Victoria and be able to deliver this again and again.”
Ms DeBorre said Music Victoria was set to host a follow-up networking event for attendees to collaborate once more.
The inaugural week was part of the Regional Music Development Program, supported by Creative Victoria and delivered in partnership with Music Victoria and Regional Arts Victoria.