ABC farewells ABC Classic and ABC Jazz content manager Toby Chadd
ABC Classic and ABC Jazz Content Manager Toby Chadd is departing the ABC after more than three years of giving voice to diverse Australian music, creativity and talent on the national stage.
Toby leaves ABC Classic on a high, with the national network enjoying its strongest audience reach figures on record. His tenure since 2018 has also featured the launch of the annual Festival of Female Composers, the ABC Jazz Artist in Residence program and last year’s national Classic Choir – which united Australians in song and celebration, amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
ABC Classic and ABC Jazz this month also launched a composer commissioning fund to champion under-represented voices, continuing the networks’ long tradition of nurturing Australian music-making.
Toby will move to his new role of Director of Artistic Planning with the Australian Chamber Orchestra after leaving the ABC on 30 April.
Toby said it had been a privilege to work with the ABC’s classical and jazz teams over the past eight years, including four years on the ABC Classics music label. “Every day I’ve been reminded about how important music is in all our lives, as we hear from audiences about the solace, inspiration and stimulation that our networks bring them and see record numbers tuning in,” he said.
“ABC Classic and ABC Jazz occupy a unique position in the Australian landscape, enjoying collaborations with a whole host of astonishing musicians – broadcasting their live performances to a national and international audience and building new projects that develop our culture and nurture future voices and audiences.
“In an increasingly fragmented media world, the unique power of radio to reach into our lives, combined with the cultural remit of a public broadcaster, has never been so important. The ABC’s broadcasters, technicians and producers are world-beating and working with them is a thrill that I will miss dearly. But I’m looking forward to listening and watching as they continue to connect us with the world’s greatest music.”
Chris Scaddan, ABC Head Of Music & Creative Development, said: “ABC Classic & ABC Jazz are both stronger than ever thanks to Toby’s leadership and the continued work of the whole team. We saw this especially in 2020, when record audiences turned to ABC Classic for companionship and fine music to help them through the pandemic.
“We’re really going to miss Toby’s creative spirit and endless enthusiasm for the content and the team. He’s been an inspiration and we wish him all the best for his new role with the ACO.”
In recent years, ABC Classic and ABC Jazz have attracted new and committed audiences from across the country through successful campaigns, such as:
- Beethoven’s 250th birthday celebrations featured a dedicated program throughout 2020, including the broadcast of every piece he wrote and a Classic 100 countdown dedicated to his compositions.
- The launch of the Festival of Female Composers, the world’s first annual radio festival dedicated to the music of female composers.
- The inaugural Classic Choir in 2020 featured more than 500 participants singing a new carol commissioned from Yorta Yorta composer Deborah Cheetham.
- The launch of the monthly ABC Jazz Artist in Residence program in 2020 enables musicians to share their stories and music with audiences.
ABC Classic and ABC Jazz are the home of live music, with daily broadcasts featuring the best Australian and international musicians, and production teams located across the country.
Major live music moments over the past three years have included Yo-Yo Ma’s Australian debut live from the Sydney Opera House, International Jazz Day on ABC Jazz and ABC TV, the broadcast of Daniel Barenboim conducting the Berlin Staatskapelle and the Gondwana World Festival of Choral Music.
Experienced ABC broadcaster Joe Gelonesi will act as Content Manager for ABC Classic and ABC Jazz while a permanent replacement is found.
