Keep Music Live

Keep Music Live

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Live music is essential to future of the performing arts in Australia. Whether in theatre, opera, musical theatre, ballet or contemporary performance, live musicians elevate the experience, creating a dynamic connection between the artists on stage, the artists in the orchestra and the audience. 

Yet across Australia, the use of live musicians in productions is declining. Companies are turning to recordings in the name of cost‑cutting, short-term efficiencies, or convenience – at the expense of cultural integrity, artistic excellence and sustainable careers for our musicians. 

Our Keep Music Live campaign is a national call to protect and strengthen live performance, ensuring audiences, musicians, dancers and singers can continue to experience the irreplaceable value of live music. 

Live music is essential to future of the performing arts in Australia. Whether in theatre, opera, musical theatre, ballet or contemporary performance, live musicians elevate the experience, creating a dynamic connection between the artists on stage, the artists in the orchestra and the audience. 

Yet across Australia, the use of live musicians in productions is declining. Companies are turning to recordings in the name of cost‑cutting, short-term efficiencies, or convenience – at the expense of cultural integrity, artistic excellence and sustainable careers for our musicians. 

Our Keep Music Live campaign is a national call to protect and strengthen live performance, ensuring audiences, musicians, dancers and singers can continue to experience the irreplaceable value of live music. 

WA Ballet: Reinstate Live Music at Dracula in Adelaide

Management at the West Australian Ballet have made the disappointing decision to use recorded music, rather than live musicians, for the upcoming performance of Dracula in Adelaide.

We are demanding that the WA Ballet engage musicians for their 2026 Adelaide run of Dracula.  

“Ballet is the magical coming together of live dance and live music. Ballet without live music robs the art form of its power, humanity and wonder.” 

We are calling on management to commit to keeping music live by prohibiting use of the orchestra’s recording of Dracula for ballet performances in Adelaide – or in any circumstance where a live orchestra can and should be engaged. 

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