Words by Sylvia Hosking, Philanthropy Manager.
It was so much easier getting up there and doing what is invariably quite a scary thing, knowing that you were in my corner. - Lachlan MacLaren (VIC) violin
What a joy recently to read the above correspondence from a first-year musician to one of their supporters. Young musicians come to ANAM to focus on their instrument, to participate in the many performance opportunities, and experience playing alongside their artistic mentors and heroes. What they don’t expect when they arrive, is to discover that some of those heroes are in the ANAM audience.
As a young musician in the early 90’s, I was studying overseas because ANAM did not yet exist. Alone in the Netherlands far away from family and friends, how I would have cherished having someone in ‘my corner’ at that time. A friendly face in the audience, connection with someone with more than a pair of decades of life experience.
By the time I returned to Australia in 2000, ANAM had begun its journey to become the institution we know today. Musicians were learning that further music training was possible within Australia. It was clear however, that government support alone would not provide a sustainable future for such an institution; this would lie with the caring and committed supporters of the ANAM village who would make a financial investment to support ANAM’s important work.
In 2011, further review of philanthropy’s role at ANAM was necessary, and it was at this time that passionate volunteer Jan Grant presented a game-changing suggestion: a syndicate model of support where a group of donors would come together to contribute to individual musicians' costs. At the same time this would provide community and connection; crucial, as many musicians relocate to Melbourne from interstate and New Zealand. The perfect way to grow connection and support for both donors and beneficiaries. And so, the ANAM Syndicate Program came to life.
Fifteen years later, the impact of the program is clear, with musicians and donors gaining much from their connection. Syndicate supporters since 2014, Ralph and Margaret Plarre share their thoughts “We've so enjoyed the journey getting to know these beautiful young people, being part of their journey. The whole ANAM experience for us has been one of unmitigated joy, pleasure and privilege.”
At ANAM it is the relationships which underpin the institution, whether professional, industry partnerships or special connections with the quiet champions of our musicians, those in our donor community. It is thanks to this ‘village’, of which the ANAM Syndicate Program is a large part, that our musicians are nurtured during their time at ANAM - arguably the most formative period in their musical lives.
Thank you to the entire ANAM donor community for the generous contributions you make to our musicians, and for championing ANAM to become an extraordinary place of learning and inspiration.
Image Credit: Charlie Kinross