“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants.”

Sir Isaac Newton

On 5 February 1675 (Yes, nearly 350 years ago) Isaac Newton wrote the above to his rival Robert Hooke about how Newton had came to know all he knew. Rightly, Newton cited those who had come before him, those who supported him, and even those who were his adversaries as being instrumental to the person Newton was becoming. At Make Loud Noise we too honour those human beings who help us forge the metal of who we are into the vocal arts weapons we are becoming. Each year Make Loud Noise provides an award remembering those “Giants” to a Make Loud Noise student who is in the pursuit of the study of the science, art, and strength of the Vocal Arts as an educator, a prospective educator, or allied health professional who is incorporating voice in their practice.

In the past this award was known as “The Charles, Krohn, Larcombe, McCormick Award” named after four key teachers that held Make Loud Noise Founder Anita Marie Martin on their shoulders so she could thrive: Speech/Drama Teacher Mrs Margaret Charles, Classical Voice Teacher Mrs Judith Krohn, Piano Teacher/Singing Teacher/Choral Mistress Mrs Isabel Larcombe, as well as Ballet Teacher/Creative Arts Mentor Ms Shayne McCormick. In 2024 it became time for the award to evolve after Anita Marie lost four beloved “Giants” in less than a year: Speech Pathologist/Singing Teacher/Choir Master/Cancer Warrior/Make Loud Noise Alumni Ms Elizabeth Savina, Hand-Craft Artisan/Life Mentor Mrs Elizabeth Seeto, Defense Against The Dark Arts Teacher/Practitioner Mrs Joy Jervis, and Singing Teacher/Cancer Warrior Mrs Elspeth Sutherland. And so, on the 22nd November 2024, the Make Loud Noise “Charles Krohn Larcombe McCormick Award” became the “On The Shoulders Of Giants Award for the Advancement of the Science, Art, and Strength of Vocal Arts Education” (A.K.A. the MLN Giants Award).

Past Recipients of The Make Loud Noise Giants Award

2024: Matthew Whiting - Vocalist (Gifted by Andy Van Nguyen) 

2023: Glyn Major - Vocal Coach and Vocalist

2022: Elizabeth Savina - Speech Pathologist, Vocal Pedagogue, Vocalist

2021: Minh Thanh Van - Vocal Coach and Vocalist

2020: Jae Pietersen Scott - Vocal Coach and Vocalist

2019: Dr Diletta Calibeo - Vocalist

2018: Lisa Meier - Vocalist

2017: Frances Kirsch - Vocalist

2016: Shane Bradley - Vocalist (Inaugural Recipient)