Australian Percussion Gathering 2016

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The Australian Percussion Gathering (APG) was a six-day curated performative festival examining the state of percussion in Australia in 2016. This festival gathered together three international guest artists, industry professionals from across Australia, and almost 100 percussion students. The curatorial aspects of this event included the design of ten concerts, directorship of the Environment Day, a conference, workshops, special events and masterclasses, and the publication of the APG program. CONTRIBUTION: Tomlinson has been at the forefront of percussion in Australia for over 20 years. As a performer, composer and pedagogue she is uniquely situated to provide an overview of the field and input into shaping its future. The APG is both a gathering of percussionists from across the country, as well as a curated event that demonstrates a vision for percussion research. In particular Tomlinson provided the following contributions, collated together here to form one single research output: a composition for 20 percussionists - Vibrations in an Architecture; directorship of The Listening Museum II; keynote - A Universe of Sound; directorship - The Environment Day (site-specific non-traditional performative learning activity). SIGNIFICANCE: The APG brought together internationally significant artists alongside Australian tertiary percussion students to create a place for the exchange of knowledge. The Gathering in 2016 welcomed 96% of students studying tertiary percussion in Australia, making it a significant and influential event on the next generation of Australian musicians. The festival was documented through video, conference proceedings, new works, and an event program. In recognition of her role leading the APG, Tomlinson received the APRA/AMC Award for Excellence by an Individual (QLD - 2017) for her curatorship of this event.