As the Doug Anthony All Stars returned to the city from which they hailed on the weekend, one-third of the group forged a new connection with Canberra to help emerging musicians achieve their dreams.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Tim Ferguson was named the patron of Music for Canberra at a ceremony on Friday, acknowledging his contribution to the capital's artistic and cultural scene, as well as his efforts to promote inclusion.
Music for Canberra is a community music school designed to encourage accessibility to music through programs catering for multiple age groups, levels of experience, styles and ability.
Ferguson said opening access to music was an important task for society.
He said Canberra was well-placed to host such a school.
"Music is so important to a community; old people, young people, everybody can meet together in the arena of sound," he said.
"There's something about Canberra and the arts that nowhere else in Australia has, that obsessive interest with the arts and very practical understanding of how important the arts and music in particular are."
Two of the choirs involved in the organisation performed before the official presentation, including the Mixed Abilities Program designed for adults living with a disability.
Music for Canberra chief executive Kathleen Grant said Ferguson's connections to Canberra, combined with his passion for music, writing and comedy, made him an ideal choice as a patron.
"I'm so happy we've been able to connect again with Tim," she said.
"It's fantastic to announce him as our first music patron, especially given he has done so much."
The organisation's president, Peter Thrall, welcomed Ferguson to be part of the organisation and praised his past work.
"He can relate to our aspects, it speaks to his sense of fun, as well as his strong commitment to ensure everyone can be part of a musical experience," he said.
Ferguson announced his new performance piece for five to 12-year-olds with Geoff Willis, Billie and the Dinosaurs, would first be staged by Music for Canberra in early 2018.
The narrator and symphony orchestra-based performance follows the story of a girl who finds a world of dinosaurs in Kakadu National Park.