Gerringong Music Club invites you to enjoy an afternoon of wonderful music with the Zefiro trio on Sunday 17 September at 2pm in Gerringong Town Hall. Zefiro ensemble explores the repertoire for flute, violin and piano in a captivating and energetic program that delights with Gallic charm. Join flautist Suzanne Cowan, violinist Cecilia Bersée and pianist David Vance as they perform music by Gaubert, Ibert, Rabaut and Martinu, along with a new work especially written for the trio by Wollongong Conservatorium’s resident composer, John Spence. Suzanne Cowan currently teaches at The Wollongong Flute Studio, Wollongong Conservatorium of Music, and many other schools with music programs. Most recently Suzanne has played Principal Flute with the Wollongong Symphony Orchestra. Cecilia Bersée is a freelance violinist, teacher and an AMEB examiner. She has played with the SSO, the Australian Chamber Orchestra and predominantly for Opera Australia Orchestra, where she played for more than 20 years. David Vance is an outstanding pianist, music critic, and retired academic from the University of Wollongong. He continues to maintain a busy schedule as an accompanist and chamber musician. This will be a delightful concert. Doors open at Gerringong Town Hall at 1.30pm. Tickets on sale at the concert at $30 for visitors (cash at the door). Members, students and children are free.We would be very grateful if any of our members who would like to help with the afternoon tea could let Jenelle Lumsden know on the day at the concert.Further information about the music programme and Gerringong Music Club membership contact:Bobbie Miller, Music Director ph: 0413 967 385 or email [email protected],or see our blog on GerringongMusicClub.blogspot.com

Most kids who grow up in a small town get the urge to move away to find adventure in the big city. Even when you grow up in one of the most beautiful towns in the country like Kiama, the allure of finding something “bigger” is almost impossible to ignore.This yearning to leave can also cloud your memories and make you forget how good you had it “back in the day” when you were young. This journalist received a pleasant reminder of what it was like growing up in Kiama when I spoke to Jack Reilly, now a Sydney-based musician who grew up in Kiama. If the surname sounds familiar, it’s because Jack is the son of Kiama Mayor Neil Reilly.Like myself, Jack was a part of the Illawarra music scene in his youth before moving to Sydney in his early twenties. With his next album in the works, The Bugle caught up with Jack to discuss what it was like trying to make it as a musician in Kiama during the 2000s.Jack was around 11 when he started seriously listening to music, but it wasn’t until watching a performance at the ARIAs that he decided he wanted to be in a band.“What got me to consider music was Frenzal Rhomb performing at the ARIAs. They played Never Had So Much Fun and it changed my life.”The next day, Jack decided music was his life even though he didn’t actually know how to play an instrument.“It was a few years before I could do anything. I met my friend Ben in high school and we just told everyone we were a band. We would say we’re having band practice but just put on Rollin’ by Limp Bizkit really loud and jump around.”Jack and his mates eventually got their own instruments and started a band called Laceration, which was the beginning of Jack’s live performing career at around 13.It wasn’t easy being a fan of alternative music, or any alternative subculture at all at the time. “I think the South Coast generally speaking is very good, but I just think culturally everyone is kind of cool, and into surfing and sports,” says Jack.“Certainly that’s changing now, but when I was growing up, I was really interested in heavy music and edgy, goth culture, and sensitive guys wearing makeup. It was just a bit weird for a lot of the kids who were going surfing.”Jack says it was this dichotomy among Kiama’s youth that brought young musicians and anyone interested in alternative subcultures together.“It was when the community found each other, there were goth kids, punk kids, kids that were a bit alternative, when they found each other, it was a very good thing.”One of Jack’s memories of playing in bands at the time was how competitive the scene could be at times. “The scene gets kind of big, everyone is really excited and supporting each other, then all the bands feel like they’re really important and put themselves and a lot of egos in the way when people start coming to shows. And it’s hilarious to think about because we’re all in Kiama.”Despite the ups and downs, Jack has fond memories of playing in Kiama, and attributes his current success to the skills and attitude he formed on the South Coast.“In terms of what it was like to play music, my memory of it is that it was generally pretty good. I certainly have a lot of memories of being young, before music I had no way of expressing myself and no sense of community in the town, certainly I went from having nothing to having some.”“The local nature of everything, having to put on shows yourself, organising bills, organising events, making sure they’re as inclusive as possible, they’re all things I’ve learnt in Kiama and have very much tried to keep consistent throughout the rest of my career. The attitude that was formed here has informed everything I’ve done.”New musicJack has been on a hiatus when it comes to releasing music, his last release being in 2020. That being said, he’s gearing up to release a new 10-track album next year, and has just released a cover of Funeral by Phoebe Bridges. Jack says he decided to cover Funeral because hearing Phoebe Bridges made him feel the same way that hearing Frenzal Rhomb did all those years ago. That feeling inspired Jack to return to basics and release his music with a DIY approach.“I just really wanted to alleviate some of the anxiety around releasing music, because having those three years to build something, I got really overwhelmed at the idea of it being right and reintroducing myself to the world in a new way, then I started worrying if people would be into it, and all these really unhelpful thoughts,” says Jack.“I thought the only way to alleviate that pressure of putting out new music was to go back to how it was for me when I first started, so I purposefully didn't put it on Spotify, I put it up for free on Bandcamp and Youtube.”As for the new songs, Jack says there’s a tension between his own desire to express emotions in a raw and honest way while also catering to what people want to hear that permeates throughout his music. As a result, the lyrics of his new music tend to revolve around conflict resolution and being able to have honest conversations despite being scared of the outcome.“A lot of my music has been about feeling lonely and alienated, so I really wrote this record to have some semblance of not feeling so alone anymore, finding people I can spend my life with, and how that’s not always the end of the story,” says Jack.“You still learn and grow when you let people into your life and start having real adult relationships, and with that comes its own set of separate headaches. But it’s mainly about the conflict tension and hopefully the resolution that comes from being able to articulate your feelings.”Jack says that any young people in Kiama that want to be in a band should focus their efforts on doing what they love to do, not just what a potential audience might think about it.“Just try to think about the feeling you had when you felt that you’d feel better if that was expressed. If your focus is just on making work that you’re proud of that you can express yourself honestly through, that’s a really valuable thing.”“The majority of people do not have the inclination to do anything creative whatsoever, so if you have an inclination, you have a responsibility to pay homage to that feeling. So you’re already streets ahead of everyone else if you have that feeling and attempt something.”

In the wake of rave reviews for his recent soloist performance with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at Sydney Town Hall, new Kiama resident Daniel Roehn and his wife, Kiama's own Ana de la Vega, have organised the first of a series of intimate performances at the Kiama Anglican Church.Daniel Roehn performing at the Sydney Town Hall with the SSO, under the baton of Simone Young.Daniel is the third generation of Germany’s most distinguished violin family, and has built a career as an international soloist. Ana started her career as a flautist in the Kiama Primary School band and has since risen to build a spectacular international career, with hit recordings and performances at the world's leading concert halls.Using Kiama as a base, the couple are keen to use their move to Kiama from Germany as an opportunity to share their music in a series of concerts in regional towns on the South Coast and Highlands."We love the idea of taking classical music to country towns, and making Kiama a focal point for music lovers," says Ana.In this first concert they will play a program of music by Bach, Debussy, Shostakovich, Bizet, Kreisler, Brahms and Mozart, with brilliant young pianist Jeremy So.The one hour concerts will be on Saturday 27 March at 5 pm and 7 pm; and Sunday 28 March at 2 pm.The tickets are available now at the Tourism Office on Blowhole Point for $50 (concession $40).

The Gerringong Music Club is looking forward to the return of the colourful and entertaining Balalaika Orchestra, ten years after they first performed here."This will be a delightful concert," says the Club's Gillian Spooner."They will be performing a very diverse program of traditional Russian folk music and light classics with orchestral performers and singers dressed in attractive folk costumes. "We look forward to again hearing a typical Russian folk orchestra which usually features the Domra, Balalaika, Bayan, Zhaleika, and various other woodwind instruments and percussion."The orchestra - which has played in venues such as the Sydney Opera House, NSW Art Gallery, Riverside Theatre and Sydney Conservatorium of Music - continues to be led by Musical Director, Victor Serghie, who is also the principal arranger.The orchestra's 28 players and singers are a microcosm of the multicultural fabric of Australian society with performers from a diverse range of ethnic origins: Armenian, Belarusian, Chinese, Danish, Indian, Irish, North American, Polish, Serbian and Ukrainian, as well as Australian and Russian.  Sunday 30 October, Gerringong Town Hall, 2pm. Tickets on sale at the door from 1.30pm at $25 for visitors. Students and children are free.

The streets of Kiama will soon be bustling with live music with the Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival returning 10-12 March. This year will see some firsts for the annual affair, including the opening event at Gerringong Town Hall set to include a screening of award winning documentary Keep On Keepin’ On, followed by a Q&A talk with the director Alan Hicks, a Grammy award winning filmmaker.After the movie, guests will be treated with a line-up of jazz performers who will give an epic Clark Terry tribute.“It’s a bit of a red carpet event where you can dust off your fancy clothes and come along,” says festival organiser, Becky Guggisberg.Another first for the festival, and an event Becky highly recommends, is the Sunday Street Party where the Justice Precinct will erupt into an arts precinct, with the Harbour end of Terralong St decorated with seating and food trucks.The main stage will be at Black Beach for festival goers to enjoy live music and eat, drink and dance. All weekend, Kiama will be alive with an array of live music happening across the festival hubs and other venues.“A lot of the shops on Terralong Street are joining forces, and we will activate that street along Jazz Alley again,” says Becky.Her top picks of hubs are Burnetts on Barney (above); the Manning St Top Shops – which will have a concert space set up in the back, perfect for any time of the day; and Filmores where the highly acclaimed artist Barney McAll will perform with his trio on Saturday.“He is also doing a solo piano performance at Ss Peter & Pauls Catholic Church on Sunday. We are really privileged to have him,” Becky says.“We’ve got some next level artists that I expect will just blow people’s minds.“The beauty of this festival is that it appeals to all ages and our town becomes lively and inclusive.“We forget the ho hum of the day-to-day and embrace the beauty, cohesion, creativity and freedom of our village.”Visit kiamajazzandbluesfestival.com.au for more detail and tickets.

This year, the free concert on the last day of the Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival is being held in the Harbour's natural amphitheatre, with Terralong St closed between Manning and Railway Parade.Make sure you pop down to enjoy the program:1pm Cope St ParadeAustraliana, gypsy swing and New Orleans jazz meld to create a style sounding both new and old yet uniquely Australia. Think if Django Reinhardt met Louis Armstrong in a good old country pub.2pm Home Cooking: Tony Allen TributeHome Cooking is a celebration of Tony Oladipo Allen, the drummer who created the steadfast, subtle beat of the Nigerian protest funk known as afrobeat. On the 30th of April 2020 Tony died in Paris at the age of 79 leaving behind a legacy of music that has massively influenced modern funk, soul, hip-hop and even electro dance music. Brian Eno described Tony Allen as “perhaps the greatest drummer who has ever lived” and Fela Kuti with whom Tony played through the 60’s and 70’s once said “without Tony Allen there would be no afrobeat”.3pm Harmony ByrneMelbourne-raised musician Harmony Byrne is something special, and if you don't believe us, ask The Teskey Brothers - she open all of their completely sold-out national dates. Specialising in a subtle folk-backed sound that moves between stripped-back richness to fierce with emotion, the rising musician feels comparable to acts like Angie McMahon and Julia Jacklin in her storytelling-focused songwriting.4pm Daddy Longlegs & the Swamp DonkeysAre you ready? Hang on to your hat and prepare to be blown away. Blues lovers will love these dirty, wacky blues musicians. Giddy up donkeys - game on!! Do not miss Daddy Longlegs - they really are the business!! There are food vans, gelato and even a bar, so grab a picnic blanket and your hat and join in this community event.

Gerringong Music Club has presented concerts of fine music at Gerringong Town Hall for nearly 20 years, but its future is in doubt if the Club can’t fill essential committee positions. There are four more concerts planned for this year with the next one on May 21, however, the Club will need to wind down at the end of the year if volunteers can’t be found to fill for Director and Publicity Officer, says current Director of Music, Bobbie Miller. Both Bobbie and Publicity Officer, Gillian Spooner, indicated at the recent AGM that they are no longer able to continue in their roles, after many years of service.“The Club is in a sound financial position, with nearly 80 members, and each concert attracts good numbers of visitors,” says Bobbie.“The performers range from orchestras to chamber groups and soloists. While the music is mostly classical, the Club has also presented jazz and Latin American concerts. At the end of last year, the Sydney Balalaika Orchestra performed Russian folk music to an enthusiastic audience.”Anna da Silva Chen's talent was supported early by the ClubThe Club has always encouraged young musicians as well as professionals. “Anna da Silva Chen from the Illawarra, who has performed for the Club nearly every year from the age of 11, is now a stellar violinist, in demand around Australia and overseas,” Bobbie says.The Club was started by Gem Buck in 2003 after members of Gerringong CWA raised funds for a good quality piano. At least five concerts have been held every year except for during COVID. Gem, an experienced musician, was well into her 80s when Bobbie Miller took over the position.Gem with her Life Membership Award“I’ve greatly enjoyed planning the concerts, dealing with the musicians and presenting the concerts along with committee members. But I plan to retire at the end of the year, as I now mostly live in Sydney,” says Bobbie.“The Club needs someone who has a strong interest in classical music and who could devote time and energy to plan the Club’s program. “I would work with the person for the next year and could give them a list of the duties of Music Director and ideas for performers, while they settle into the role.” The Club also needs a new Publicity Officer. Gill Spooner has provided publicity for community groups in the area since 1998. She also plans to retire from her role with Gerringong Music Club at the end of this year. The position would suit someone who enjoys a considerable level of computer and creative skills.If you are interested in the positions please contact Bobbie on 0413 967 385 or [email protected] or Gillian on 0422 543 928 or [email protected]. There are four more concerts planned for this year, with the first being Bluescope Steel Youth Orchestra performing classical favourites, May 21, Gerringong Town Hall, 2pm. Doors open 1.30pm. $20 for visitors and free for members, children and students. 

Since the late 1990s, musicians from around the country have made the trek down the coast to visit Haworth Guitars. The music retailer’s humble beginnings started when former high school teacher turned master luthier Phil Haworth opened a shop in Kiama. The business has since grown to two locations in Wollongong and Shellharbour and is renowned as one of the top music retailers in the world. Whether it’s from the two stores or their popular car stickers, everyone in the Kiama LGA knows Haworths Guitars. What you might not be familiar with, however, is the latest business venture with the Haworth names attached to it, Resolve Business Coaching. Resolve Business Coaching was founded in 2019 by Glenn Haworth, now owner of Haworth Guitars and Haworths Music School, as well as being Phil’s son. Glenn spoke to The Bugle about how he went from working for his dad’s business through high school to acquiring Haworths Guitars and taking it to new heights. “I was always involved in the business from the start. Dad was always keen for me to learn the ropes and help out,” Glenn said. “Even when I was in high school, I was working in the Kiama Downs shop on weekends. When I went to university, I studied marketing and economics, and kept working at Kiama Downs. “I knew my dad was keen to step back after I finished uni, but I was really focused on my band The Conspiracy Plan, we were touring around and I was loving it. I wasn’t excited at that age to take on a business.Glenn Haworth says coaching allows him to be a "good and present dad". It wasn’t until a few years later when Glenn was around 25-years-old that the idea of growing a business started to get him excited. “I became a real student of business and marketing, and that’s when I really saw the potential of not just running a business, but growing a business.” Glenn found a way to buy Haworth Guitars from his parents and went about taking the family business to the next level. Haworths relocated its original store from Kiama Downs to Shellharbour during that time. “I was really eager to take it on and start applying everything I learnt about business. That’s when I first started getting business coaching myself.” One of the first things he wanted to do was open a second Haworth Guitars store, which he did with the Wollongong store in 2013. Glenn admits that opening the Wollongong stores was beyond his comfort zone, but taking on those challenges is what gets him most excited about the business.  The next expansion was the Haworth Music School. Glenn started tutoring students in the afternoons and nights, which was so successful that the company expanded into the building next door. The music school has grown from around 350 students across its Shellharbour and Wollongong stores. After expanding the business to new heights, Glenn was able to step back from teaching and explore his passion for helping other businesses.“I was very keen to explore business coaching because I’d had my own coaches over the years and I’ve learned so much from them. They helped me take my own business to the next level, and I was really eager to try that myself.” Glenn put his musings on business growth into a book called Retail Domination, which helped him develop a seven-step framework that formed the basis of Resolve Business Coaching. What started as a side hustle four years ago has now taken up the majority of Glenn’s time as he steps back from managing Haworth Guitars full-time. Glenn also has a young family to which he dedicates as much time to as possible. “It’s a way to simplify things for me in terms of my time and being able to be a good and present dad; the coaching allows me to do that. I’ll work from the home office one day a week which grants me the flexibility to have a young family.” Resolves Business Coaching works one-on-one with clients or within a group setting, depending on the client’s requirements. “I’ve got about 25 one-on-one clients, and we run two group Mastermind sessions a week where I have some of my clients join in to help other clients with training.” In addition to personalised training, Glenn recently started running a ‘Business Bootcamp’ with his clients, which brings them together for a day to work on their businesses with like-minded entrepreneurs on everything from marketing and sales to finer skills like staff management and time management. The Business Bootcamp focuses on four key areas: increasing sales leads, converting leads into sales, the average transaction price, and customer frequency. Glenn says one of the most useful aspects of Resolve Business Coaching is the accountability factor. “A big part of [coaching] is the client actually implementing actions, and that’s where having a coach really helps, not just with strategy and guidance, but with holding you accountable.” Resolve Business Coaching’s next bootcamp takes place on 18 August at The Hill in Gerringong. There are around eight spots left, so any interested party can sign up via Eventbrite and use the code ‘Kiama’ to receive a $50 discount on their ticket.