While Tamworth may be best known as the beating heart of Australia’s country music scene, a new event this week promises to broaden the conversation around the role of music in regional communities. The Symposium, Resonance: Exploring the Sound and Significance of Regional Music, will bring together experts from diverse musical backgrounds to examine how music shapes social, cultural, educational and economic life in regional Australia.
Organised by University of New England (UNE) and its Regional Music Research Group, the event takes place Friday 5 December 2025 at the university’s Tamworth Centre (24 Fitzroy Street), with online attendance also available. Entry is free.
Attendees will hear from members of the Research Group about their latest funded projects, including work supported by the Australian Research Council and other initiatives from within regional communities.
The highlight of the afternoon will be a presentation from special guest Dr Gavin Carfoot, 2025 Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) Songwriter of the Year, music producer, researcher and Senior Lecturer at the Queensland University of Technology.
The symposium opens at 1:00 pm with a series of academic presentations, followed by afternoon tea, Dr Carfoot’s guest presentation, then a round-table discussion featuring prominent figures and researchers in regional music. The day wraps up with networking drinks, offering a relaxed space to discuss ideas and forge connections.
Building on the momentum of the symposium, the companion workshop, Songsense, is scheduled for Saturday 6 December from 10:00–11:30 am. Designed for both seasoned and aspiring musicians, this free, in-person workshop aims to demystify the creative process — helping participants refine their instincts for crafting songs that resonate beyond lyrics and melody.
According to UNE Music academic and workshop organiser Dr Alana Blackburn, the event aims to shine a light on how music functions in regional communities, not simply as entertainment, but as a source of cultural expression, community cohesion, identity and economic opportunity.
“Regional and rural areas often have different musical dynamics than urban centres: different traditions, community values, access issues, and opportunities” she said
“The symposium offers insight into how music functions in regional communities not just as ‘art,’ but as social glue, cultural expression, economic driver, and community identity.”
For anyone working with or interested in music in a region from amateur musicians and community arts organisers to educators and policymakers, the symposium offers a timely, research-grounded exploration of why music matters beyond the stage. Registrations for both the symposium and songwriting workshop remain open; those interested can sign up via Eventbrite or by contacting the UNE Tamworth Study Centre directly.
With its mix of academic rigour, artistic insight and community focus, Resonance offers a timely and inclusive celebration of regional music, and a reminder that the value of music in places like Tamworth goes well beyond the stage.
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