HEALING AND AWAKENING
COMMISSIONING A MUSICAL TRIBUTE
FQ Syndicate: Lee Bradshaw
Manny Arcaro | Image by Frank Ma
We lost Manny Arcaro in October, 2022.
He was just 18.
Manny’s story is one of 3,249 deaths by suicide in Australia that year.
Knowing that creatives often suffer deeply from depression and mental illness, Flinders Quartet have partnered with Manny’s mum, Dani, and the Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO) to find a way of helping other young musicians and creatives like Manny to ask for and receive the help they need.
Composer
Lee Bradshaw
Lee Bradshaw is an Australian composer, based in Melbourne. Lee’s Sonata for Violin and Piano was the first Australian composition to be recorded on the Stuart & Sons Pianos at Newcastle University, featuring violinist Sophie Rowell (Concertmaster, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra) and Alexy Koltakov (piano). Current projects include a Violin Concerto, Electric Guitar Concerto, and an Industrial Fusion Opera, Tales from the Abattoir.
This project starts with the writing of a string octet by Lee Bradshaw to be premiered by FQ and young musicians from the AYO in October 2025, during Mental Health Week, as part of the Chamber Players program.
However, we know that just creating a piece of music in memory of Manny is not enough. This project sees all creatives involved undergoing the professional development in the area of mental health, with a particular focus on young musicians and artists. It also involves research to find ways of inviting conversations through the creation and rehearsing of music.
The future aims for this project see it being used as a conversation starter in other youth music programs such as Melbourne Youth Music, Sydney and Brisbane Youth Orchestras, as well as secondary music schools across the country.
We need funds to continue this meaningful work and secure the resources required to stage this important piece. Your continued support is vital in bringing this project to life. Join us on this journey to raise awareness about youth mental health through the power of music.
Dani and her painted pebble
We appreciate all contributions, large or small, and ask that you help us further by spreading the word about this important project. Manny's mum, Dani, is raising awareness about mental health challenges in a number of ways, including placing painted stones with positive messages and a QR code linked to further resources. By sharing our 'Healing and Awakening' initiative, you can help connect people to the support they may desperately need. You may never know whose life you touch, but doing something is always better than doing nothing.To learn more about Dani's efforts, visit Manny's website
You, too, can make a difference in mental health today. Together, we invite you to join us in creating a musical tribute dedicated to Manny, a very special musician lost to suicide, as we tell his story through music and let more people know about healing and awakening. No matter the size, every contribution helps.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, seek help. You don't have to face it alone - support is available.
In immediate danger: Call Emergency Services on 000
Resources for support:
Lifeline 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
beyondblue 1300 22 4636
Kids Helpline (age 5-25) 1800 55 1800
13 Yarn (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) 13 92 76
Resources for carers:
Carers Australia 1800 422 737
Mind Australia 1300 554 660
Guideline for communication by Mindframe
Resources for creative industry:
Research about mental health and suicide challenges in Australian creative industries
25 YEARS OF MUSICAL INFLUENCE: ADVOCATING THROUGH ART
With you leading the charge, we're expanding the impact of art as FQ approaches its 25th anniversary in 2025, using music's power to address societal issues and amplify voices of the vulnerable. Hear what our supporters say:
“…it is an extremely worthwhile way to help these wonderful Australian musicians feel acknowledged, and to ensure their future is solid, ongoing, challenging and full of exciting new ways to bring music to the attention of the general emotional and artistic health of our community.”
— Anne Findlay, FQ’s long-term supporter
THANK YOU: HEALING AND AWAKENING SUPPORTERS
Alex Timcke
Amanda Yu
Amy Agar
Amy Hodge
Andrea Keeble
Andrew Aronowicz
Angela Martyn
Angela Wu
Angus McKean
Anna, Iain & Lachlan McKie
Anne Harvey-Nagl
April Cheng
Ben Bonnici
Brett Kelly
Brian Nixon
Briar Goessi
Bronwyn Lobb
Caron Dodd
Celia Romaniuk
Chang Shen
Claudia Stuart
David Giliberto
Deborah Goodall
Eleanor Mancini
Elina Wilson
Elise Millman
Elizabeth McKenzie
Emily Frazer
Evelyn Ooi
Fiona Fox
Gabby Halloran
Gina Dafalia
Gracie Carroll
Guy Palmer
Hamish Paterson
Helen Ayres
Helen Krist
Ingrid Peake
Isabella Zhou
Ivan Sultanoff
Jackson Family
Janet Fernandes
Jasmine Zhang
Jen Winley
Jennifer Kinderis
Joanna Rogalsky
Joe Lo Bianco
Joey Zhang
Joyce Cai
Julie Van Wyk
Kylie Peasley
Lauris Hing
Leesa Rowley
Linda & Tim Norman
Lizzie Gregory
Lou and Jim Oppenheim
Margaret and Greg Yu
Matt Xu
Michael Loftus-Hills
Michele Walsh
Miranda Brockman
Molly Kadarauch
Monica Curro
Natasha Thomas
Nicholas McGrath
Owen McKern
Paul and Wendy Bonnici
Pei Yao Jiang
Peihong Wang
Penny Creswell
Polly Vardarli
Prue Woolcock
Rachel Wang
Rosanne Hunt
S & G Dunstan
Sarah Curro
Say Family
Sharen Goodwin
Sharyn Speller
Sherry Wu
Sophie Hodge
Suzanne Cooper
Terrianne Fascianelli
Thea Rossen
Timothy Matthies
Tom Poulton
Will Larsen
Yi Tang
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