Skip to main content
MESS School / South West MESS

South West MESS – Sphere Student Program

Watch Video

Applications now open

Applications close:
Applications Close: 11.59pm April 26 2023

Student program dates: 
Friday, April 28 to Sunday, May 7 2023

Student program price: FREE
This is a free program for successful applicants

The South West MESS community program will be announced soon!

South West MESS is returning to Warrnambool in 2023!

Want to extend your knowledge of electronic sound and music and be part of an exciting creative program?

South West MESS is a chance for music and creative sound students and young people aged 15-25 from the South West to be part of a week-long intensive program learning about and creating electronic music and sound when MESS takes up residence in the Fletcher Jones Factory in Warrnambool from Friday, April 28 to Sunday, May 7 2023!

This year, we’ve named our student program ‘Sphere’.

The Sphere program is a chance to learn from artists and creatives in a fun and hands-on program where you’ll use some of the iconic synthesisers and machines from the MESS collection. Spend every day immersed in electronic sound creation, collaborative and industry mentorship guided by professional artists. At the end of the week, you’ll have the chance to perform your work in a group setting.

Check out the video below for a look at last year’s program…

Sphere – Program Description

The South West MESS Student Intensive is a 10-day program led by artists with roots in the South West and the MESS team. The program is aimed at people aged 15-25 and is limited to 20 participants.

Participants will be guided through a collaborative hands-on electronic sound and music project with a live performance outcome. At the start of the project, we will form groups that will work together across the week to devise, develop and perform an original piece of electronic music. Along the way, you will get to use instruments from the MESS collection, learn about the roots of electronic sound creation, meet other like-minded people from the region and develop your artistic and technical skills. Experienced MESS staff will also be on hand to support you throughout the 10-day program.

This program is aimed at people who have an interest in creating electronic music and/or audio. You will need to demonstrate your interest in these areas as part of your application. Prior experience in electronic music or other forms of creative electronic audio creation is recommended but not essential. This program is recommended for creators and artists; composers, performers, songwriters, beat-makers, DJ’s, producers, sound artists, etc. It is not suitable for those whose focus is more technical ie. audio operators/engineers, live audio mixing, etc.

Program Details

This program is free and there is no cost to apply.

Participation is by application. Places are limited to 20 students.

Participants will need to be available for a week of face-to-face learning from April 28 to May 7 in Warrnambool. View the schedule here.

Accommodation and travel assistance is available if required.

Priority will be given to ensuring that students right across the region have an opportunity to participate in this program, but for those who are unsuccessful, there will also be a range of single public sessions for you to get involved in.

You do not need to own any instruments or equipment to participate. MESS will provide everything you need, right down to headphones. If you have instruments and/or equipment of your own, you will be able to use it as part of the program. This includes laptops, tablets, phones and other non-traditional tools.

Successful applicants under the age of 18 will need to have written and signed permission from their parent/guardian to attend.

Application Requirements

To apply you need to meet the following requirements:

  • Be aged between 15 and 25 years
  • Live in one of the following Local Government Areas:
    • Colac Otway
    • Corangamite
    • Glenelg
    • Moyne
    • Southern Grampians
    • Warrnambool
  • Be available for a week of face-to-face learning from April 28 to May 7 in Warrnambool. Accommodation and travel assistance is available if required – please note this on your application form. 
  • Have completed and submitted the online application form below. Applications close 11.59pm Wednesday, April 26th 2023

If you have questions or would like assistance filling out the application form, please email us – we are happy to help!

View the Sphere scheduleApply to Sphere now

About South West MESS

South West MESS is a celebration of electronic music and instruments in Warrnambool, Victoria.