Mentors for musical health

Writing a song is usually considered an individual experience and collaborations are often difficult to orchestrate.
Add in musicians also experiencing mental health problems and the challenge to produce a collective song writing effort is magnified.
But it’s that challenge that Athena’s Guild, a mentoring collective of musicians, has taken on.
A bunch of musos experiencing mental health issues joined with professional musicians and song writers to give it their best shot.
The songs will be given their public debut at Open House, a show featuring local undiscovered songwriters, established artists including Rach Brennan and Jack Robbins, as well as local legends such as Tim Neal.
Over the course of three months, experienced professional musicians and songwriters were paired with musos experiencing mental health issues in a series of one-on-one mentoring sessions.
They also came together for group workshops facilitated by Bellarine Peninsula musician Sarah Carroll.
Behind the project is Bluebird Foundation, a Geelong based not-for-profit dedicated to making quality arts programs accessible for all and the Rotary Club of Geelong East.
“Two years ago we worked together on the very first Athena’s Guild project which focused on the visual arts,” Bluebird Foundation’s Bron Lawson said.
“This year we’re delighted to be working with some amazing musicians who have been telling their stories through song.
“Each pair has worked quite differently, following the passions, talents and strengths of the musicians and the results are everything from beautiful and thought-provoking to dark, quirky.
“But it hasn’t been a one-way street. The relationships that have developed within the mentoring pairs have challenged and stretched the professional musicians, forcing them to reflect on their own music, teaching methods.”
Local musician Tim Neal, who has paired with muso Luke Beavis on the project said he has enjoyed working together.
“Writing songs is a personal experience and to come together for this purpose also brings friendship and a sense of getting to know someone. Music is food for the soul,” Neal said.
The 10 musicians’ original songs will be showcased in a live performance at the Courthouse Youth Arts from 8pm on 25 May.
The show, Open House, promises an evening full of song and storytelling as the audience is treated to a glimpse into the journey each mentoring pair has travelled together.
Open House is a collaboration between the Bluebird Foundation and the Rotary Club of Geelong East, supported by the Geelong Community Foundation.
Tickets cost $10 online at courthouse.org.au.