What do you teach at WollCon?
School Band Programs Conductor, Clarinet & Sax
What genres do you teach?
Wind Band and Classical Clarinet or Chamber Music is where I’m most at home and I love the energy of school ensembles. However, I also enjoy playing and teaching a good arrangement of film music, swing band standards, or even a klezmer transcription.
What is it that you love about teaching music?
I love the moments when people’s eyes light up – making an amazing sound, falling in love with a special piece of music or achieving something they didn’t think was possible! At WollCon I really value working with a team of dynamic and inspiring colleagues, and of course, in such a beautiful surrounds.
Please share a particular career highlight and why it’s special to you.
I think the most memorable moment has been Conducting a performance with Sydney Conservatorium Wind Symphony – the intense sound bath you experience standing on the podium in front a professional wind ensemble is indescribable, and the energy between conductor and ensemble is electrifying.
What’s one piece of music that you’d recommend people listen to?
How to choose!! Dvorak’s Serenade for Winds, Arvo Part’s Fratres for wind octet, Giora Feidman playing Bela Kovak, Holst’s Hammersmith, John Mackey’s Strange Humours or anything really, Reynold’s transcription of O Magnum Mysterium, Grainger… and so much more!
But I think I have to pick Mozart’s Serenade No 10 for Winds ‘Gran Partita’. This music is so sublime, (especially the adagio) and it is such an important piece in the development of both the clarinet and wind symphony.
