Aria nominated Topology, are heading to the communities of Texas and Dalby as well as the surrounding catchments in South Western Queensland who have suffered during the drought. The group will act as cultural ambassadors bringing music and inspiration to the communities in the lead up to their extensive regional and national touring program.

Topology are established leaders in musical creativity in Australia, prolific creators of new original work, expert collaborators across genres and art forms and award-winning music educators. Topology have an energetic community engagement and education program called Top Up, and since 1998 they have worked closely with schools and communities to compose, mentor and perform with young people, emerging artists and the greater community. The State Award Winner for Excellence in Music Education at the APRA AMCOS Art Music Awards 2015, Top Up has grown exponentially over the years reaching thousands of participants across regional Australia each year. The primary goal of Top Up is to build the creative capacity of participants and to help reinvigorate much needed community based social events by binding and connecting with, in this instance, the people of Central West and South Western Queensland who have struggled with the effects of drought.

The participants will include school students and community groups who will work with Topology to collaboratively create a free community event celebrating their uniqueness along with the individual challenges that these townships face. Announcing the commencement of the regional education program, Creative Director Christa Powell said, “We are committed to building on our past work in these exceptional rural communities. It is important to authentically work in regional towns as opposed to one-off, FIFO cultural events. Topology is committed to supporting and collaborating with cultural leaders and individuals in these towns for positive impact, in order for creative sustainable eco-systems to thrive.”

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