Aria award-winning singer-songwriter Lior took his talents to Braybrook recently to teach the next generation of musos coming through from Caroline Chisholm Catholic College.
Lior ran a three-hour class for 40 VCE VET music students at the college, with music director Karen Heath saying the students loved the chance to learn from one of the industry’s best.
“It was a fantastic day,” Ms Heath said. “The students were introduced to a song-writing map, which helped to refine their ideas and give structure to something that can often be perceived as a purely creative exercise.
“I think we have a number of future songwriters in our classes, and we have a songwriters’ club … they are required to compose as part of that, so workshops like this are very helpful.”
Lior’s debut album,
Autumn Flow, was nominated for three Aria awards in 2005 and has since been certified gold by Aria, while Lior also picked up a best classical album Aria in 2014 for his collaboration with Nigel Westlake on Compassion.
Ms Heath performed on Lior’s second album,
Corner of an Endless Road, and as Lior is already involved with the Australian Performing Rights Association, offering song-writing workshops was a perfect fit.
Students began writing a number of songs with Lior during the workshop, with hopes to make them part of performances later in the year.
“We always try to drive home the message that being unique is very, very important in music,” Ms Heath said. “It shouldn’t ever be about mindless regurgitation or replication; it’s got to be focused on how you can put your own stamp on a piece of music.”
Ewen McRae
