In collaboration with indigenous language custodians and communities across Victoria and working in partnership with Yorta Yorta composer Deborah Cheetham AO and Torres Straight Island workshop leader Jessica Hitchcock of Short Black Opera Company, MSO has developed a series of musical Acknowledgements of Country featuring indigenous languages from each of the official language groups of Victoria identified by the Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages (VACL).
Process
The first project of its kind in Australia, the MSO, generously supported by funding from Helen Macpherson Smith Trust and UNESCO, working in partnership with Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO and Short Black Opera guided by indigenous language custodians and communities, MSO developed a musical Acknowledgement for languages from across Victoria.
When performing on Country, MSO will pay tribute to the Traditional Owners of the land on which we perform, in the language specific to that nation and in our own language of music.
Each Acknowledgment – including music composed by Yorta Yorta composer Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO and an MSO recording featuring indigenous musicians and a language guides developed with custodians of each language – will be gifted back to the community from which it came. With the blessing and permission of each community, these resources will be available to the wider community, providing a pathway for learning and respectful engagement with unique indigenous languages and cultures.
This is a highly nuanced project… certain to become a template for all major orchestras in Australia.
Partners
MSO’s Musical Acknowledgement of Country project embeds our orchestra in communities across the state.
Short Black Opera Company
MSO is proud to work in partnership with Australia’s only indigenous opera company.
Traditional Owners and Language Custodians
Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation – Language for the Dja Dja Wurrung Acknowledgement of Country is generously supplied by Dja Dja Wurrung man Harley Dunolly-Lee through the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation. MSO is grateful for the guidance and knowledge of the Traditional Owners of Dja Dja Wurrung country and pay respects to their elders past, present and emerging.
Wathaurung Aboriginal Corporation
Language for the Wadawurrung Acknowledgment of Country is generously supplied by Wathaurung woman Corrina Eccles through the Wathaurung Aboriginal Corporation. MSO is grateful for the guidance and knowledge of the Traditional Owners of Wathaurung country and the Wadawurrung Language and pay respects to their elders past, present and emerging.
Language for the Gunditjmara Acknowledgement of Country is generously supplied by Gunditjmara woman Vicki Couzens. MSO is grateful to Aunty Vicki, Uncle Leonard Clarke and Brett Clarke of the Gunditjmara community for their guidance and knowledge and pay respects to them, the Traditional Owners of Gunditjmara country and to their elders past, present and emerging.
Ganaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation
Language for the Ganai and Kurnai Acknowledgements of Country is generously supplied with support from Ganaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation. MSO is grateful for the guidance and knowledge of both Kurnai and Ganai communities and pays respect to the Traditional Owners of Ganaikurnai country and to elders past, present and emerging.
Language for the Dhaagung Wurrung Acknowledgement of Country is generously supplied by Taungurung woman Lee Healey. MSO is grateful to Aunty Lee for her guidance and knowledge and to the Traditional Owners of Taungurung country and pay respect to elders past, present and emerging.
Dirrawarra Indigenous Network
Language for the Bpangerang Acknowledgement of Country is generously supplied by Bpangerang man Freddy Dowling with support from the Dirrawarra Indigenous Network. MSO is grateful to Uncle Freddy for his guidance and knowledge and pay respects to the Traditional Owners of Bpangerang country and to elders past, present and emerging.
Language for the Ladjiladji / Tatitati Musical Acknowledgement of Country is generously supplied by Tati Tati man Brendan Kennedy. MSO is grateful to Uncle Brendan for his guidance and knowledge and to the Traditional Owners of Ladjiladji and Tatitati country and pay respect to elders past, present and emerging.
Boon Wurrung Foundation
Language for the Boon Wurrung Acknowledgement of Country is generously supplied by Parbin-ata Carolyn Briggs AM through the Boon Wurrung Foundation. MSO is grateful to Aunty Carolyn for her guidance and knowledge and to the traditional owners of Boon Wurrung country and pays respect to elders past, present and emerging.
Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative
Language for the Yorta Yorta Acknowledgement of Country is generously supplied by Yorta Yorta linguist Belinda Briggs and Yorta Yorta woman Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO.
Language for the Gulidjan Acknowlegement of Country is generously supplied by Gulidjan woman Ebony Hickey. MSO is grateful to Ebony and Gulidjan first peoples and pay respect to their elders past, present and emerging.
Language for the Dhudhuroa and Way Wurru Acknowledgement of Country is generously supplied by Dhudhuroa man Gary Murray. MSO is grateful to Uncle Gary for his guidance and knowledge and pay respects to Way Wurru and Dhudhuroa Traditional Owners and to elders past, present and emerging.
Melbourne Museum
MSO partnered with Melbourne Museum to support the River of Language exhibition in 2019.
This project received grant funding from the Commonwealth Government through the Australian National Commission for UNESCO.