The Music Generation

Click here to view a video message from Meera Fernandes, founder of MGEN.

The Music Generation is a fledgling community looking to develop the already thriving music culture in Melbourne and surrounding areas. At MGEN, we believe a key component of learning an instrument or playing any sort of music is being able to share what you're doing with other musicians. But unfortunately we see a lack of opportunities for musicians who've just started learning instruments, or don't live in communities with many music opportunities. We see musicians coming together and working with friends, but not often with new musicians who might have something different to offer. We see music students getting bored of constant practice with no constant reward. And that is what sharing music provides: an immediate satisfaction in an immediate product. 

New sounds are created and experimented with, and every person has a different and unique sound that fits in with others. MGEN wants to help those sounds meet and collaborate. We want to set up music groups and classes of all sorts around Melbourne and in your suburbs in order to benefit all communities. We are working by council areas, inclusive of the ones listed on our website. You can click on the following link to see if your municipality has been included. http://www.themusicgen.com.au/pozible-campaign/upcoming-music-sessions/

If it hasn't been included, please send us an email, and we will do our best to look into the area and generate some interest. 

What your money will be going towards:

- Hiring of venues

- Buying instruments and equipment i.e. drum kits, amplifiers, keyboards etc.

- Storage of instruments at venues

- Payment of experienced musicians to run our sessions

- Administration work

You can check this page to see what groups will be starting up come July 22nd. (Possibly earlier if we receive enough interest). We need just 5 people to be interested to start a group so tell your friends and pass it on to music communities you might be involved in. 

Groups we would like to start up :

Singing groups – These groups would be more than a choir, where you'd learn vital voice skills in the session. Our hope is that these groups will come together once a month from all over Melbourne to sing in a mass choir.

Ensembles/Orchestras/Bands – For musicians of all skill levels who're looking to get experience playing in a group and for further motivation when starting an instrument. We are also looking to set up advanced groups as well as beginner groups as well as groups that cater to both.

Jam Sessions – In all musical styles including but not limited too jazz, rock, contemporary classical, indie, funk and catering to all skill levels whether you are just playing basic chords to whether you are soloing as often as possible. We have sessions planned such as 'Jam with the Sitar' and 'Jazz Standards' and are open to whatever music you want to be playing as well.

Improvisation for Beginners – Along with the jam sessions, for beginner musicians who want to learn how to improvise we will be holding classes where musicians can come to learn the key elements of improvisation in a space where everybody is at the same level and helping and supporting each other.

Short Courses – Including but not limited too songwriting, using electronic music programs including ableton and logic, music appreciation and a rock band short course. Let us know if there is anything you'd like to see come about in short course form.

We are open to anything else you have in mind. We want to benefit the wants and needs of musicians who may not have the resources or opportunities to play the music they want. 

The amount we are asking for is the bare minimum amount. While we'd love for these groups, especially the jam sessions, to be free, we won't be able to do that with the amount we've asked for. The more money we can raise, the more we can offer the Melbourne community. We'd like to make the sessions as cheap as possible, ranging anywhere from $10 entry to a gold coin donation. The more funding we can get, the more we can support you as musicians!

When you donate, you'll be sent a survey comprising of 3 questions:

- What is your instrument?

- What is your council area?

- What session/s do you want to see start up?

You can a request a group without donating (because we understand that you may be broke as anything but still want to be apart of this) by clicking on this link: http://www.themusicgen.com.au/pozible-campaign/request-a-group/

Short courses and groups will be constantly added during the campaign, so be sure to keep checking our website to see our progress and see what kind of sessions and short courses are popping up because to your needs as the Melbourne Music Community. 

Check out more information like the spaces we are looking at in your council area and other goings on at MGEN on our website http://www.themusicgen.com.au/pozible-campaign/ or shoot us an email at [email protected]. Please like out facebook page www.facebook.com/themusicgen and keep up with our twitter shoutouts.