July 22, 2012
The decision by the State Government to scrap the popular Fanfare music competition has local South Burnett residents seeing red.
One Kingaroy mum wrote on Facebook: “Can’t believe it, after all those years … both my boys were involved in Fanfare at Kingaroy High”.
Another: “Shame, shame, shame”
Kingaroy State High School’s stage band was a State finalist in the Queensland-wide competition in 2002 and 2010 and a grand finalist in 1990 and 2006.
The school’s concert band was a Fanfare finalist in 2000 and 2008 and a grand finalist in 1992, 1996 and 2004.
Education, Training and Employment Minister John-Paul Langbroek confirmed last Thursday that Fanfare, the biennial music festival for Queensland state school bands and orchestras, would finish up this year.
He assured students and parents that this year’s Grand Final event, to be held at QPAC in Brisbane from July 31-August 2 would still go ahead but said this would be the last one.
South Burnett Arts President Jane Iszlaub told southburnett.com.au Fanfare was very important for students enrolled in instrumental music programs.
“It is particularly important in rural areas where young people don’t have easy access to collective arts experiences,” she said.
“The competitive nature of Fanfare is a great motivating factor for young people involved in instrumental music programs throughout country Queensland.”
Ms Iszlaub said many local schools had competed in Fanfare over the years, including Murgon, Wondai, Taabinga, Nanango and Kingaroy State schools.
Kingaroy State High School usually sends several groups made up of students from the jazz, concert band and percussion programs.
“This year they entered five groups with a total of at least 80 children … from just this one school alone,” she said.
“It’s not a niche program or an elitist activity. Children are able to participate in the instrumental music program, and therefore Fanfare, from all socio-economic backgrounds.”
Ms Iszlaub said Fanfare cost just $88,000 to run, which was a “small price to pay” for an activity that benefited almost 20,000 Queensland students every year.
Mr Langbroek said the decision to scrap the competition was part of the State Government’s “plan to get Queensland’s budget back on track and keep the LNP’s promise to protect frontline services”.
“We are working hard to make savings to repair Labor’s destructive legacy as Queensland heads towards a $100 billion debt. That’s why difficult decisions need to be made,” he said.
“I am pleased to announce Creative Generation (CGEN), a much loved State-wide school stage show spectacular will be exempt from these savings.
“CGEN brings more than 1500 students together from all over the State and is operated through a private public partnership which reduces the burden on Queensland taxpayers.”
Twenty-four singers and 12 dancers from Kingaroy State High School participated in CGEN 2012, which took place in Brisbane this weekend.
A Facebook group has been set up to lobby the State Government to reverse the Fanfare funding decision.
Opposition Leader Annastacia Palasczcuk has also started an official online E-petition
