News from Siobhan

On January 8 Siobhan and her parents flew to Tasmania for a 9 day tour. Siobhan had been booked to perform at 2 Festivals - Cygnet Folk Festival over the first weekend and Tamar Valley Folk Festival over the second. Siobhan's performances went really well, and we met some amazing musicians over there. We were also able to have a few days' free between festivals to do some sightseeing. Tasmania is a truly beautiful island, with dense forests, amazing mountain ranges and wonderful wildlife (including the cute Tasmanian Devils!). The Tasmanian people are very friendly and they loved Siobhan's music!

We did have a bit of a drama when we first arrived in Hobart though. The car hire company didn't have the station wagon we had ordered, even though we'd phoned at least 3 times to check on things. The car they had for us couldn't fit Siobhan's harp in, let alone our luggage! We were furious! Siobhan had a performance that night and we needed to get to our accommodation to book in! Luckily, another car hire company (Hertz) had a Mitsubishi Outlander available which we hired. We were not able to get much internet or mobile phone coverage in the first 6 days, but when we eventually managed to do some internet banking we were horrified to see the original car hire company had deducted the full cost of hiring the non-existent car! It took another 6 days and a few more phone calls before they eventually reimbursed us.

Apart from that hiccup, we had a wonderful time over there and would love to return.

Due to the huge generosity of many fans and friends, plus a contribution from the Tour Down Under organisers, we were able to book an earlier flight home from Tasmania for Siobhan to sing the Australian National Anthem at the opening race of the Tour Down Under (The Cancer Council Helpline Classic). This race attracted about 108,000 spectators this year. It was pretty daunting for Siobhan to have to stand a few metres in front of (and facing) the 133 cyclists to sing the National Anthem just before the race started, but she did a wonderful job! It was a huge honour for Siobhan to have been asked to sing at this event. Many thanks to the wonderful people who helped make it possible!

We have just returned from the beautiful grounds of Government House, Adelaide, where Siobhan sang the National Anthem and gave a short performance (voice and harp). There were about 250 guests, including the South Australian Premier, the South Australian Governor (it's his home!), Mayors, Members of Parliament, Defence Force Officials etc. But especially the wonderful recipients of the Australia Day Awards!!! It was a great evening and another high profile event under Siobhan's belt. Many people came over to congratulate her afterwards, including the SA Governor himself - Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce - who remembered Siobhan from her performance at the Adelaide Eisteddfod Award Winners Concert! The organisers were very pleased with her performance, which they said was perfect for the occasion!

What makes this and the Tour Down Under events more special is that the organisers invited Siobhan to perform after recommendations from others.

The Adelaide Fringe Festival is fast approaching on us! With so many great shows on during the Fringe, we really need to get Siobhan's show "Siobhan Owen - Celestial Echoes" noticed. Her show runs for 3 sessions at Nexus Cabaret and will feature songs from her "Celestial Echoes" album - a mix of haunting Celtic melodies mixed with a few classical pieces. Siobhan will also be selling and signing CDs at the venue. Please try to come along to one of her shows, and pass the word on to family, friends and colleagues.

Show: Siobhan Owen - Celestial Echoes
Venue: Nexus Cabaret, Lion Arts Centre, Cnr North Tce and Morphett St
Sessions: 26 Feb, 5-6 Mar @ 7pm
Tickets: Full Price: $15.00, Conc/FB: $10.00
Bookings: 1300 FRINGE (374 643), adelaidefringe.com.au, Fringetix outlets

We will soon upload a pdf of Siobhan's Fringe Poster to her websites. Feel free to print and display it around South Australia! Thank you in advance for your support!

Siobhan, like many other performers, often receives praise and messages of support. She often hears from people that listening to her sing and play the harp lifts their spirits and removes the heavy burdens of their lives. This is clearly visible when she performs at hospitals and Nursing Homes. It is always good to know that her music is appreciated by so many and can move people in this way. The following letter was received shortly before we went to Tasmania, and it really touched our hearts. We asked Sophie for permission to publish it.

While it's wonderful for Siobhan to receive awards and accolades for her hard work, it's letters such as this which make it all worth while!

While still in Tasmania, Siobhan checked the Univerisity First Round Offers online and was delighted to receive an offer to study at Adelaide University's Conservatorium of Music! She will study Certificate IV in Classical Music (voice) which is a full time one year course. This early entry to university (instead of doing years 11 and 12 in high school) will allow Siobhan to apply for the Bachelor of Music in 2011. The selection process included an audition, a music theory test and an interview with staff from the Conservatorium. The University year starts March 1st, so she's still on her summer holidays!

Siobhan has been 'head-hunted' for the Australia's Got Talent reality show! We received an email a few days ago from a casting agency" acting for "Australia's Got Talent", asking Siobhan to audition for the show.

I asked where they heard of Siobhan and was told they researched using Myspace and Google! They also said if she went ahead they would "get a story producer to contact Siobhan to discuss her application, her music and where she intends to go with it."

It's really nice for Siobhan to have been targetted for the show, but she will not take up the offer because she doesn't want to take time out of University right at the beginning of the year. The heats may also conflict with her Adelaide Fringe and Adelaide Festival events. Although it could potentially be great exposure for Siobhan, she is quite happy with what she's doing at the moment.

Siobhan has been selected among Folk Alliance Australia's ten best "Outstanding Youth Act" nominees from around Australia. Finalists in the National Youth Encouragement Awards are invited to perform in the Youth Encouragement Award Concert at the 2010 National Folk Festival in Canberra (Easter weekend) and other spots in the Axis Youth Venue over the course of the weekend. Nominations for the award were submitted by Festivals, Event Organisers and Clubs for outstanding folk musicians aged 16 to 25. The winner will receive: a trophy, a booking for the 2011 National Folk Festival and an invitation to perform at the 2010 Folk Alliance of Austrlalia conference dinner. The runner-up will receive a trophy and a Blackboard Performer ticket to the 2011 NFF.

Tuesday 2 Feburary, 12 noon
Guest Soloist for the Music Works "Dynamic Day Gig"
Governor Hindmarsh Hotel, Hindmarsh.

Saturday 13 February, 1.45pm
Performer at Tea Tree Gully Council's biennial "Civic Park Spectacular".
Civic Park, Modbury.

Friday 26 February, 7pm - Adelaide Fringe Festival
"Siobhan Owen - Celestial Echoes "
Nexus Cabaret, Lion Arts Building, cnr North Terrace & Morphett Street, Adelaide
Tickets from fringeTix www.adelaidefringe.com.au

Sunday 28 February, 2pm
Guest soloist (voice & harp) at St David's Day celebration
St Mary's Church, Wallaroo.

Friday 5 March, 7pm - Adelaide Fringe Festival
"Siobhan Owen - Celestial Echoes "
Nexus Cabaret, Lion Arts Building, cnr North Terrace & Morphett Street, Adelaide
Tickets from fringeTix www.adelaidefringe.com.au

Saturday 6 March, 7pm - Adelaide Fringe Festival
"Siobhan Owen - Celestial Echoes "
Nexus Cabaret, Lion Arts Building, cnr North Terrace & Morphett Street, Adelaide
Tickets from fringeTix www.adelaidefringe.com.au

Saturday 13 March, 8pm - Adelaide Festival of Arts
"Mahler 8 - Symphony of a Thousand "
Singing with the Symphony Choir at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

www.siobhanowen.com

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Siobhan's albums "Purely Celtic" and "Celestial Echoes" can be ordered from her website. "Celestial Echoes" is also available to download at iTunes, Amazon or CD Baby.

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