Expression of Interest – Percussionist

Victorian Schools Company

Opera Australia’s Oz Opera welcomes applications from percussionists for its 2009 Victorian Schools Company, which tours to primary schools around Melbourne and regional Victoria. 
The 2009 production is The Sound Garden, a contemporary Australian work by David Montgomery which combines traditional opera with African, Middle Eastern and contemporary percussion to create a unique musical experience.  The performance is approximately 45 minutes and is sung in English. 

The Schools Company conditions include:

- a maximum 24 weeks of touring, which may include up to 5 weeks of regional touring

- a maximum of 3 shows per day, up to 12 shows per week

- the casting of swing and covers so that singers have some cover days

- the requirement of all company members to bump the set and equipment in and out each venue

- the obligation of artists with a valid driver’s licence to share driving company vehicles. All conditions are outlined in the Performers’, Music and Technical Staff Agreement 2008-10.

The percussionist is an integral part of the performance and interacts with the cast and audience. Ideally, the percussionists will have access to their own instruments, for which they will receive a weekly loading.  Instruments used include:

Bell Tree
Cowbell
Darabuka
Djembe
Suspended Cymbals
Finger Cymbals
Flexatone
Gong
Floor Tom
Samba Whistle
Side Drum
Snare Drum
Timbales
Triangle
Vibraphone
Bodhran (or snare drum, senza snares)
Vibraslap
Wind chimes
Wind gong
Wood block