The Accompanists’ Guild of SA Inc.

Our Guild has much to be proud of. It was the first association of accompanists to be formed in Australia and is one of the few Guilds of accompanists in the world. It was from our example that Guilds were established in Queensland and NSW, and a Register of Accompanists, which includes guitarists and conductors, was published in 2004 in the Northern Territory. We have provided accompanying services for thousands of individuals and music organizations over the past 24/25 years.

We have encouraged 21 different accompanists who have won our major annual prize (variously known as the Accompanists’ Prize, the Associate Artists’ Award and now the Geoffrey Parsons Award) to pursue accompanying as a career, which has become a reality for many of them. We have assiduously directed our attention to elevating awareness of the accompanist most recently through our now annual Festival of Accompanists when the accompanist receives top billing. Even though we are not a union we have mediated on behalf of accompanists on a number of occasions with considerable success.

We are strong supporters of the training of accompanists in South Australia. This formerly took place most significantly at the Flinders Street School of Music. Many outstanding accompanists emerged from these programs, several of whom have gained positions in Europe, the UK and the USA as well as in Australia & New Zealand. Since Flinders Street closed in 2001, AGSA has supported the inclusion of subjects related to accompaniment in Awards provided at the Elder Conservatorium. The Guild still seeks more intensive study in Accompaniment preferably associated with a designated Award in Accompanying at undergraduate as well as post graduate level.

One major focus in elevating the significance of the accompanist amongst our younger pianists is to provide opportunities for them to perform as well as receive mentoring from professional accompanists & solo performers. To this end the Guild presented a “Junior Accompanists’ Event” in 1999 & 2000 and “The Young Accompanists’ Showcase” each year since 2005. The latter (YAS) has offered a group of secondary school students the opportunity to work with professional performers, experience a masterclass with a recognized ensemble pianist and perform in at least 2 public concerts. The Showcase has received funding from the South Australian Youth Arts Board for 3 consecutive years – an unusually generous endorsement of the significance of the project.

More recently again we have pushed the boundaries of our educational program to include even younger pianists. In 2006 and 2007 our current President, Monika Laczofy, has organized concert programs performed entirely by primary school students – both accompanists and soloists. These have been delightful concerts and have involved a number of young pianists in the excitement of playing in ensemble with others.

2008 marks a special year in the life of AGSA – we turn 25 and intend celebrating our silver anniversary with gusto. The presence of Malcolm Martineau, one of the premiere vocal accompanists in the world, will add considerable significance to the occasion.

As the Founder of the Accompanists Guild in SA I am thrilled to see that the Guild Committee continues to promote the importance of the accompanist with enthusiasm, energy and good humour - long may this continue.

DIANA J HARRIS

Founder and current Secretary
Accompanists’ Guild of SA Inc.
July 2007