UNESCO Artist In Residence: Michelle Scully - Composing music to Alison Lester’s books

Double bassist/composer Michelle Scully is currently in collaboration with well-known Australian children’s author Alison Lester AM to compose and record music for thirty of Alison’s books. Michelle will introduce a selection of her compositions through live performances of several of Alison’s books including Kissed By The Moon, The Journey Home, and Tricky’s Bad Day. A discussion on how this music can be used will follow. The Victorian Branch President of the Children’s Book Council of Australia, Christine Oughtred, will discuss the synergy between picture books and musical composition and the creative experience of story.

All of Michelle’s recordings use unabridged text and the narrative has been adapted into song she deliberately varies the musical genre and instrumentation for each book to appeal to a wide audience. Joining Michelle will be vocalists, Georgia Brooks and Sarah Ward, with Louise Goh (piano), Kathleen Halloran (guitar), and Sean Loughran (percussion). This presentation is perfect for parents and their young children, early childhood educators, librarians, classroom music teachers in both primary and secondary school, and allied health professionals who work with children.