The ABC has appointed experienced creative and editorial manager Joe Gelonesi as ABC Classic and ABC Jazz Content Manager, to drive the national networks' ongoing commitment to distinctive Australian music and talent.
In his role at the helm of Australia's only dedicated national classical and jazz radio stations, Gelonesi will oversee initiatives such as the Classic 100 and Jazz 100 countdowns, annual Festival of Female Composers, ABC Jazz Artist in Residence program and the Composer Commissioning Fund for emerging artists.
Gelonesi, who has presented on ABC Classic, rejoins the music network as it enjoys its strongest audience reach figures on record. "The teams at ABC Classic and ABC Jazz have been brilliant at forging genuine community connections, supporting music makers - especially during the difficult times caused by COVID-19 - and engaging audiences across the country," he said.
"I'm very excited for the opportunity to champion and support their efforts to bring Australians together through the wonderful, shared love of music."
Gelonesi has been a key member of ABC Radio National's executive editorial team for close to two decades, including most recently as Manager of Religion & Ethics. As a senior editorial leader at RN, he oversaw specialist genres and programmes, including music and arts, science and religion.
He is a former presenter of The Philosopher's Zone on RN and was part of the team on triple j's first Hottest 100 (then known as the "Hot 100"). He also initiated and developed the successful ABC Top 5 media residency project for early-career scholars and practitioners, across the arts, science and the humanities.
His appointment as ABC Classic and ABC Jazz Content Manager comes as Chris Scaddan, Head of Music & Creative Development in the ABC's Entertainment & Specialist division, has been appointed to lead ABC-wide audio projects from 19 July through to the end of 2022.
Scaddan, who has been part of the ABC's radio and music teams for almost 20 years, will work across the ABC's three content divisions to develop a long-term strategy for audio services, including live audio/radio, on-demand content and podcasts.
Meagan Loader, who manages Double J, ABC Country and Rage, will be acting Head of Music & Creative Development for the next 18 months. Ryan Egan, Double J's Executive Producer, Programs, will take up Loader's role over that time.
Chris Scaddan welcomed Gelonesi, Loader and Egan to their new roles within the ABC Music & Creative Development team. "The talent and passion that they each possess is indicative of the whole team's dedication to our audiences every day," he said.
"After more than a year of uncertainty due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, listeners have turned to our networks for companionship, joy, inspiration and direction. The ABC's role as an integral supporter of Australian music is more important than ever, as we plan for further success in the audio space for many years to come."
In recent years, ABC Classic and ABC Jazz have attracted new and committed audiences from across the country through successful initiatives, 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.
