GLEN DONNELLY - ADVANCED VIOLA STUDY IN SPAIN
Over the course of several Viola lessons, master classes and concerts,
Paul ignited a dramatic process within me which ash changed the
whole way I approach music.
Paul is one of the best Viola teachers in the world and a wonderful
"capacitator" for young musicians. He has recognised my
natural musical talent and is the perfect mentor to open me ot as
a musician and turn my potential into great artistry.
I was in the perfect relaxing environment to reflect on my life
and my music. This has not just affected my performing, but my entire
musicality and me as a person. This also extends to my composing,
which I am increasingly being involved in. I have a number of projects,
compositions and potential artistic partnerships in film, media
and contemporary music which have been stimulated by the mentoring
that I had with Paul Silverthorne in this project.
The content of this project was very intensive. Individual lessons
and mentor sessions, rehearsals and seminars filled the day and
nearly every night was a public concert as part of the Central Catalunya
Music Festival, in which I would play solo, chamber music and chamber
orchestra. I collaborated with musicians from all over the world
and networked with valuable future contacts in Europe.
The unique surroundings of regional Spain enabled me to grow musically
and personally, and the combination of this with the perfectly timed
mentoring from Paul SIlverthorne turned out to be the single greatest
opportunity of my career yet. I know that this project gas played
a crucial role in my music and development. I cannot thank you enough
This period of study was invaluable to me not just
in terms of the way in which it helped develop my performance both
technically and musically, but also in terms of the experience of
being able to discuss the challenges of studying Cello overseas
as an Australian with someone who has achieved many of the things
I would like to achieve in my career.
Michael Williams was a student in teacher in Sydney, before he
moved to Europe to study with Antonio Meneses, an eminent Cellist.
After studying for six years in Europe, Michael returned to Australia
to perform with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, which is has always
been my greatest goal.
The experience of being a classical musician from Australia can
be daunting one because of the relative lack of funding and support
that has traditionally been given to this area of the Arts. Very
few classical musicians in Australia achieve success at home without
having studied overseas first.
Speaking to Michael about his experience of this and getting advice
from him about who to study with in Europe and where, and the challenges
involved in this was all really helpful to me.
All in all my time in Vienna was invaluable to me not just in terms
of all the advice I received from Michael and the things I learnt
about my performance, but also in terms of the confidence it gave
me in studying overseas alone and auditioning.
TOM VONCENT - ADVANCED
AUDIO STUDY
The last six months have been a very exciting time for me studying
with George Goerss and becoming established in the practice of recording.
From personal funds I have been augmenting my recording studio with
necessary recording tools and equipment. For most of our lessons
George came here to my studio. He’s has been extremely helpful
including taking calls from me when the need arose for troubleshooting.
Since getting started last year I have conducted recording sessions
with twelve different local and interstate musicians including singers,
trumpet players, sax players, guitarists, double bass players, drummers
and of course myself on piano and keyboards.
On the horizon there are also many projects
combining my music with wonderful new animation. As I have lived
my life now for 25 years as an improvising musician the prospect
of getting my music up on the net and out to people as soon as possible
is very much in the spirit of how I create music.
STEVE FALK
- MARIMBA STUDY IN JAPAN WITH KEIKO ABE
I studied at Toho Gakuen with Keiko Abe from October 1st 2007 until
March 31st 2008. My course of study consisted of private practice
in studios at the college and a weekly master class conducted by
Professor Abe. International graduates such as myself were expected
to perform regularly in the master class which is conducted in front
of an audience of about 20 advanced solo marimba students from around
Japan and sometimes guest musicians from abroad. All participants
in the master class were required to perform major works from the
contemporary classical literature from memory.
As I have always been interested in improvisation my work in the
master classes often included free improvisation with Keiko Abe
and myself improvising together on two marimbas.
I also gave two 40 minute public recitals during which I performed
my own new composition for solo marimba, “Romance” which
was composed during my studies with Professor Abe in the last six
months. I have now completed a total of two years full-time marimba
study with Keiko Abe. It has been an incredible opportunity to pursue
an artistic interest of mine so intensively after many years of
professional musical activity where there was rarely a chance to
practice regularly.
DANA OGLE - PERTH
TO CHENNAI
As a recipient of The JB Seed grant I traveled to Chennai, South
India to study the Carnatic instrument mridangam with Guru Tanjore
K Murugaboopathi in a challenging and engaging environment. The
primary objective of my travels was to refine, progress and consolidate
my current musical practice, and to provide momentum essential to
my ongoing development.
The timing of my travels to Chennai coincided with the Madras Carnatic
Music Festival, allowing me to attend numerous Carnatic music concerts
during my stay. This allowed me to both deepen my understanding
of and appreciation of Carnatic music and further develop my relationship
with many of Chennai’s most highly regarded musicians.
The combined outcomes of my studies with Guru Murugaboopathi and
the resulting recoding sessions greatly exceeded my expectations
of my travels to India, and ensured my ongoing relationships with
several leading Indian musicians. I will continue my student/teacher/mentor
relationship with Guru Murugaboopathi. Additional to this I know
have a clear understanding of the direction the recording process
should take when next I return to India.
On reflection I realize I have completely immersed myself into
the depths of Indian culture and music. It is only the beginning
of a lifetime relationship with Mother India.
THE FUNKY TURTLES
The “Funky Turtles Song Writing Work Shop with Rebecca Barnard”
was a huge success; its positive effects have reached beyond those
originally anticipated and stated in the Turtle’s funding
applications.In fact, it has so far proven to be a transformative
experience for the many people involved, not least of all, Rebecca.
Regarding the creative relationship that was forged, Geoff has said
that, “Rebecca knew and approached the Turtles as a bunch
of musicians. That set the tone for the whole weekend. That’s
why they responded so well to her.” Geoff said of the
song writing content of the weekend that, “Some members
who aren’t usually very up - front were really involved. Bianca
wrote a whole song. Sarah sang, and came in two days after the weekend
with a new song she had written at home! There was a meeting of
creative minds. The Turtles already see them selves as artists,
and this experience validated them, their professional identity.
The weekend was an affirmation of being a creative, performing artist.”
The fact of Rebecca’s warm, empathic and relaxed personality,
her attitude towards the Turtles, and her approach to music making,
heavily impacted on the success of the project.
BRITTLE
We were fortunate to receive the grant in late June 2007. We contacted
our mentors Leigh Carriage, vocal teacher, Dave Sanders, drum tutor
and tried to contact our guitar tutor Michael Porter in late June
to arrange lessons.
Leigh Carriage was able to teach Ben Whiting, Billy Donaldson and
Geoff Slingsby.We have gained in confidence and have much better
control of our voices. We have improved our tone and breathing and
Geoff our drummer, is also able to do some vocals to reinforce our
hook lines as he never used to do any before. She has been a most
supportive and patient teacher and a wonderful mentor for us.
We are now moving to Melbourne as we have been negotiating for the
last year with a manager who is interested in our band.
We now have a fourth member in our band, Ben O’Dwyer who is
a guitarist and backing vocalist and studied at the North Queensland
Conservatorium of Music in Mackay. He has given our band a denser
sound and we are able to do more harmonies and guitar-work. We have
also developed an unplugged show that allows us to play at more
intimate venues which has helped us to support ourselves.
We feel that we have the necessary persistence and dedication to
make it work and thank you for this excellent support to further
our skills.
Geoff Slingsby, Ben Whiting, Billy Donaldson and Ben O’Dwyer
Members of BRITTLE
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