Jazz event called off

Jazz event called off

Mount Gambier’s premier jazz festival has been called off – six months in advance.

The Board of Generations in Jazz on Monday announced the cancellation of the annual event, which was scheduled for April 30 to May 2.

Chairman Peter Roberts said it had been the most difficult decision ever made by the current board.

“This has been one of the most difficult and challenging decisions to make given the disappointment which will follow as a result.

The board has had significant discussion and deliberation over many months including consultation with SA Health and other relevant bodies before finally taking this action,” he said.

“It certainly doesn’t afford any of us any pleasure in making this announcement today knowing it will bring great disappointment to our core market the schools, the local community for the economic impact and also the music loving public who support the event each year”. Mr Roberts said the event was an experience only realised if you were at the event.

“It is the atmosphere created by the participants, public, guest artists and community volunteers, all congregated in a unique rural setting – nowhere else in the world does this happen,” he said.

“We just cannot deliver the experience in 2021 given restrictions necessary to protect the health and safety of participants and equally as important the communities.”

Mr Roberts said schools travelled from around Australia to share in the experience, perform live in competitive awards and enjoy and learn from the array of live guest artists and workshop presenters.

“We are very aware at present many school music programs have been seriously impacted by both health and education regulations leaving their future commitments to events in question for 2021 both in light of travelling for excursions and also their performance opportunities,” he said.

“The board has given much deliberation and investigation into the possibility of a virtual event to replace the physical event for 2021.

However, the foundation of the event is based on the live experience and the implications of the schools’ music programs status at present are the underlying impetus for the decision not to pursue this concept.”

Mr Roberts acknowledged the support of many long-term sponsors and was confident those relationships would be maintained as the organisation prepares for 2022.

“Like so many other organisations today, it is the responsibility of the governing bodies to consider whether in all conscience they can deliver their event in the safest possible way for everyone who would be involved,” he said.

“The (board is) committed to future planning to bring the most spectacular event to all supporters in 2022 to share once again in the joy of the ‘spirit of Generations’.”

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