5x5x5

By Sarah Bartlett

Arts Centre Melbourne’s award-winning mentorship program 5x5x5 returns this month.

With five original compositions created by five upcoming composers, the program provides a unique artistic experience in the heart of our Arts Precinct.

5x5x5 provides emerging Victorian composers with the opportunity to increase their skills, professional networks and public profiles.

The five participants, under the direction of artistic mentor Dr Calvin Bowman, each created an original composition of five minutes’ duration.

The compositions were recorded at ABC Studios Southbank and performed with the support of the Melbourne Youth Orchestra.

The 5x5x5 mentorship program began in 2013, with the idea of creating a unique artistic experience while traversing through the concealed places within Arts Centre Melbourne. The 2019 lineup can be heard as you walk through Hamer Hall and The Spire throughout July.

Southbank Local News spoke to one of the composers Imogen Cygler, who wrote and composed Beyond the Sound, one of the songs featured in the upcoming program.

Ms Cygler said that the selected Southbank locations of Hamer hall and The Spire inspired Beyond the Sound.

“The area where the music is being played was the biggest inspiration, it’s a beautiful part of Melbourne and I dropped in a lot of lyrics about the surrounding area,” Ms Cygler said.

Ms Cygler worked on the composition for about a month and wrote both the lyrics and the instrumental parts of the song.

“I wrote it during a busy period, and I would chip away at it whenever I was in the mindset. I was kind to myself, and never forced myself to write. I developed the song as one block, originally it was just piano and voice,” Ms Cygler said.

Beyond the Sound encourages listeners to be kind to one another and listen and Ms Cygler said it was a great opportunity for emerging artists.

“In the city, it can be overwhelming with all the sound and the yelling, because people are being forced to listen, I wanted to create a gentle soundtrack,” Ms Cygler said.

Ms Cygler said the mentorship program was a great opportunity for emerging artists.

“It was an incredible opportunity to work with the Arts Centre, I’ve always loved this part of Melbourne, and it’s very special to be able to connect to a large audience,” Ms Cygler said.

The July 2019 line up for 5x5x5 includes:

Beyond the Sound – Music and Lyrics by Imogen Cygler

I Have – Music by Alexander Owens. Lyrics by Amelia Evans.

Recognition – Music by Daniel Riley. Lyrics by Chi Vu.

Soapbox – Music by Timothy Mallis. Lyrics by Morgan Rose.

The Dream Is Not Yet Realised – Music by Jessamie Kaitler. Lyrics by Tim Hassall.

Daily playtimes include 8:30-9am*, 12:30-1:00pm*, 5:30-6pm, 6:45-7:15pm and 9:45-10:15pm *excluding Sundays

artscentremelbourne.com.au/learn/artist-development/5x5x5