Issue 47 Aurora Magazine April 2022
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engage<br />
WELCOME TO<br />
Playing in a community group like the Sinfonia must be very different from the larger<br />
organisations in Perth, what has been the highlight of the Sinfonia so far?<br />
Directing a community orchestra is both challenging and extremely fulfilling. The<br />
highlight of my experience in the role would be the ongoing privilege of being the<br />
conduit which brings together beautiful musicians and beautiful music – performing<br />
Beethoven’s famous 5th Symphony at the newly refurbished Albany Town Hall,<br />
presenting an engaging musical story to young audiences and sharing the talents of<br />
some of the Great Southern Region’s finest classical musicians.<br />
JEWELLERY • ART • CERAMIC<br />
Did you grow up in a musical family, where do you think your love of music came from?<br />
I do not belong to a family of musicians - rather a family who share a strong love and<br />
appreciation of music and who have supported me on my musical journey. I have<br />
worked hard throughout my life to become a good musician and have been inspired by<br />
many great musical leaders as well as amazing students over the years. Opportunities<br />
to perform as a classical oboist, sing with West Australian Orchestra Chorus, play in a<br />
number of pit orchestras around Perth, enjoying ‘round table’ traditional music sessions<br />
in Scotland and Ireland and direct talented musicians and students, have helped fuel<br />
my love and understanding of music. I was recently accepted into the Perth Symphony<br />
Orchestra’s Women on the Podium program, which offers a series of conducting<br />
workshops with respected conductors such as Jessica Gethin and Alice Farnham. This<br />
was an amazing opportunity for me to develop my understanding of being an orchestra<br />
conductor and has definitely fuelled my ambition as a leader in the local arts industry.<br />
There are not many opportunities to listen to Baroque chamber music or Beethoven’s<br />
pastoral scores here in Albany, how has the response been to such an eclectic and<br />
varied program and how do you decide which pieces to tackle?<br />
As the Musical Director of Albany Sinfonia, it is my role to work with a committee to<br />
put together a series of programs that not only engage and inspire our players but also<br />
appeal to local audiences. We generally perform to full venues, and we always receive<br />
great feedback from those that come to our concerts. When planning our concerts, we<br />
try to cater for a range of different audiences, from the seasoned classical music lovers<br />
to the young music students and their families.<br />
• SCARVES • CUSHIONS •<br />
BOOKS • CARDS • CANDLES<br />
• SCULPTURE • WOOD •<br />
There have been some cancellations due to the pandemic but what is on the horizon<br />
for the Sinfonia now that restrictions are starting to ease?<br />
In May, we are hoping to perform a brilliant concert featuring local musician, Alan<br />
Burnfield as we premiere an instrumental arrangement of Elgar’s Sea Pictures (originally<br />
written for a female vocalist), the haunting Hebrides Overture and Beethoven’s stunning<br />
Pastoral Symphony. More information about our upcoming concerts can be found on<br />
our Facebook page or around town as we finalise the details.<br />
It is a very dramatic change moving from the big city to Mount Barker, what has been<br />
your impression of your new hometown?<br />
Life in the Great Southern region is wonderful, and I am so glad that my husband and<br />
I made the decision to move here. Not only have I had the opportunity to continue<br />
my musical journey with Albany Sinfonia, I have also had the chance to lead the<br />
development of tourism in the Shire of Plantagenet as the chairperson of Mount Barker<br />
Tourism and engross myself in the local community as a free-lance music teacher<br />
in schools. The Great Southern region has so much to offer both new residents and<br />
visitors alike opportunities to live a ‘city life’ while enjoying the natural bounties of the<br />
spectacular coastline to the south, the breathtaking mountains to the north and all the<br />
special places in between. Maybe that’s why our region is called the ‘Great’ Southern.<br />
Gallery Aura is quirky and stylish, featuring a diverse and colourful<br />
range of art works created by leading Western Australian artists.<br />
Drop in, explore and be inspired.<br />
Open over Easter except for Easter Sunday.<br />
100 Albany Highway<br />
There’s an interesting opportunity coming up for local buglers, could you tell us about<br />
what’s on offer?<br />
The Albany Sinfonia team is about to launch a Horn Scholarship to help build our horn<br />
player numbers in the orchestra. The successful applicant will receive funding for<br />
professional lessons and the opportunity to play with Sinfonia for a year. Details of the<br />
application process will be available from albanysinfonia@gmail.com or contact us<br />
through our Facebook Page. Our organisation is always looking for additional financial<br />
support through partnerships, sponsorships and donations. We are grateful to our<br />
current supporters and encourage Great Southern businesses to consider connecting<br />
with us to help continue the work that we do in our local community. Music is vital<br />
in vibrant, healthy and harmonious communities and I urge community and business<br />
leaders to look for ways to fully support our regional arts organisations.<br />
Kojonup, Western Australia, 6395<br />
Tel: + 61 8 9831 0480<br />
Email: jill@galleryaura.com.au<br />
LOVE LOCAL<br />
13
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