More Music Under the Southern Cross students win awards

[Beth]

Congratulations to Ruth Wise from Western Australia, for being jointly
awarded the Declan Affley Award at the National Folk Festival held in
Canberra over Easter, 2008. This is a huge achievement, and Ruth, as a
major part of the fabulous Wise Family can be very proud of this
achievement.

Up on stage as well, to receive the equally prestigious Chris Wendt
Award was Jack Wilson from Melbourne, who plays Scottish, Irish
fiddle, keyboards and the Chinese erhu.

To accompany Jack on stage as he played a great set of tunes, was
another member of that wonderful Wise family, Lucy, whose recent work
with Kate Burke in the Guitar class was shown to great advantage.

Another great achievement for these talented young people.

Not to be outdone, our tutors for 2008, Adrian Barker, Kate Burke and
Ben Stephenson (helped along admirably on the CD by Joe Ferguson of
course) won the National Archives Recording of the Year, so they were
up on the main stage as well, playing a blistering set. They just get
better and better, and Mike and I wish them all the good fortune
possible when they head off overseas to spread their music and joy to
others.

My little heart was close to overflowing as I watched that final
concert at the National, I can tell you.

Thanks folks and keep it going.