Christmas Greetings to you all, and welcome to the belated December edition of Siobhan's Newsletter.  It's been a hectic couple of months, but we can now settle down for a couple of weeks of relaxation until Siobhan's next round of gigs!

New Website Design

At long last the new website design is up and running. The design is based on the artwork from Siobhan's "Celestial Echoes" album. There is further work to be done, especially on the "Gallery" page, but it's a big improvement! We've already had great feedback on how clean and easy to navigate it is. If you haven't seen it yet, check it out: www.siobhanowen.com

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High Achievers' Concert at Elder Hall

Siobhan was invited to perform at Adelaide University's Elder Hall for the AMEB (Australian Music Examination Board) "High Achievers' Concert". Siobhan was the only singer in a programme of musicians who had received excellent marks in their Music Exams. Siobhan's invitation was the result or receiving a "High Distinction" (A+) in her Grade 6 Singing Exam.

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Celtica Festival 

This was Siobhan's 3rd year at the Celtica Festival. We have a "soft spot" for Celtica as it was the first Festival Siobhan ever performed at. This year the format was a little different. For the two previous years Siobhan had performed on the outdoor stage overlooking the port, which attracts quite good audiences. This year many of the local solo performers and small bands performed in the "Clan Room". Although it had the potential to be a nice intimate venue, it was also a trading area and a thoroughfare to other areas. There was therefore a lot of background noise and, added to the absence of a sound engineer, this spoilt what could have been a lovely performance. It was such a shame because it was the first year Siobhan had performed there with her harp.

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Carols Season  

Of course this time of year is busy with requests for Christmas Concerts and Carols. Along with all the usual Concerts, this year Siobhan performed at Walkerville Council's "Carols in the Village". She sang 3 songs with harp, 1 with Bruce Raymond's wonderful band, and "O Holy Night" acapella. It was a lovely night which was forced to finish a little earlier than planned because of the storm that was threatening around 9pm.

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fiveAA Radio Interview  

Siobhan was invited into the studio of fiveAA radio on Friday 18 December, for an interview and to promote her "Celestial Echoes" album. Although she is quite happy to sing live, Siobhan is not very comfortable giving interviews (she is only 16 years old after all!). Having said that, she has had quite a few radio interviews already, and is getting better every time. They also asked her mum, Sheila, to come along to this one to answer a few questions about her "wonderful daughter". Siobhan proved to be much better than Sheila, not showing any nervous at all! They played a track from "Celestial Echoes" (Ar Hyd y Nos) and got Siobhan to sing "O Holy Night" live (acapella). The usual presenter of the evening program, Bob Francis, was away that week so Mark Aiston did the interview. He was really lovely and friendly and is convinced Siobhan will be a huge star one day.

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Tasmanian Tour

We are looking forward to flying to the beautiful island of Tasmania on January 8th for a 9 day stay. Siobhan will be performing at the Cygnet Folk Festival (in the Southern part of the island) the first weekend then, after a few days' rest, will be performing at the Tamar Valley Folk Festival (North of the island) for the second weekend. She's hoping to catch up with Vince Brophy here. (Siobhan supported Vince at his Adelaide CD Launch earlier this year). We've not been Tasmania before so we are really looking forward to this!

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BankSA Support for Siobhan's  Fringe shows

We're gearing up now for the 2010 Adelaide Fringe Festival. We have the huge task ahead of us to promote Siobhan's event "Siobhan Owen - Celestial Echoes". We heard this week that Siobhan has been chosen by BankSA as one of their "Support Acts". This means they will be helping to promote Siobhan and offering cut price tickets (where they will top up the value). She will be included in their brochures, newspaper adverts and online marketing. This will hopefully help get some 'bums on seats' for her shows! Tickets will go on sale early in January.

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Coming events

Below is a list of Siobhan's performances over the next couple of months.

• Tuesday 5 January, 2pm - NE Community Hospital
  Siobhan is once again performing at the North Eastern Community Hospital's Dementia Ward. She is always warmly received there and it is a rewarding experience for her.
• 8 - 10 January - Cygnet Folk Festival (Tasmania)
  Fri 11pm - RSL Club, "Originals and Tradition"
  Sat 7pm - St Marks Church, "An Intimate Evening"
  Sun 2pm - Drill Hall, "The Young & the Hot"
• 15 - 16 January - Tamar Valley Folk Festival (Tas)
  Fri - time and place tba
  Sat 7pm - Saturday Evening Concert - York Cove Centre
• Thursday 21 January, 2pm - NE Community Hospital
  Siobhan performing for Nursing Home residents. (Voice and harp).
• Sunday 24 January (tbc)
  Can't say too much about this one until it's confirmed, but it's a pretty high profile event that Siobhan has been asked to sing the National Anthem at. (Keep your fingers crossed).
• Monday, 25 January 6.30pm - Australia Day Awards
  This Awards Ceremony at Government House is held on the eve of Australia Day. Siobhan was approached to sing the National Anthem and give a short performance with voice and harp.
• Tuesday 2 February, 12pm - Dynamic Day at the Gov
  Siobhan is Guest Soloist for the Music Works "Dynamic Day Gig" at the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel. This is a successful disability led event that attracts over 300 people each gig. It attracts a large contingent of people with disabilities on day activities programs, in addition to musos, students, unemployed, pensioners etc.

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Don't forget, Siobhan's "Celestial Echoes" album can be ordered from Siobhan's website (address below), and digital downloads are also available from iTunes and CD Baby.

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Important Links

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