Here at CutCommon, we’re working to bring you some exciting business this year. New content, new initiatives, and new opportunities. So as we prepare to kick off 2016 with a bang, we thought we’d introduce you to some of the leading members of our team.
TRENDS EDITOR
MADELINE ROYCROFT
Madeline Roycroft is a Melbourne based oboist and writer. She holds a Bachelor of Music (Hons) and Diploma of Languages (French) from the University of Melbourne. Madeline recently completed her thesis on the Reception of Shostakovich in France, which draws upon archival research from the National Library of France and the International Association for Shostakovich Studies in Paris. Her other interests include feminist musicology, historical music criticism, finding the best brunch in Melbourne, and binge-watching Law and Order: SVU.
As the newest member of our team, Madeline (or Maddy, as we call her with affection) is soon to publish her first CutCommon story as Trends Editor – so you’d better watch out.
As classical musicians, sometimes we take ourselves too seriously. So I’m looking forward to offering a light-hearted and entertaining exploration of classical music.
LEAD WRITER
SAMUEL COTTELL
Samuel grew up in the suburbs of Western Sydney. For the purposes of balance, he now lives in the Northern Suburbs and, contrary to the reports of Today Tonight et. al., feels there isn’t much difference between the two.
Samuel did the usual music thing: learned the piano, got a degree and worked in the music industry for a number of years. In 2014, when he was accepted to the Words About Music program as part of the Australian Youth Orchestra National Music Camp, he realised he loved writing about music just as much as he did making music. So he set out on a path to write about music as much as possible. He’s has since written for Fine Music Magazine, Australianjazz and Jazz Australia. He has also contributed an article to the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians and was invited to write an article for the American publication, Music and Literature.
Samuel is currently undertaking a PhD at the Sydney Conservatorium on the life and music of Maestro Tommy Tycho, one of Australia’s foremost arranger, pianist, composer and musician. His favourite instruments are the harp and the French horn and, for those wanting to know, his favourite composer is Ravel. CutCommon welcomed Samuel Cottell as Lead Writer late last year, and on the role he says:
Classical music journalism, I would personally argue, is just as important as the music itself. It can aid the music, the performance, and assist in the promotion and passionate discussions about classical music. If that’s what we can do and contribute as music journalists, then I certainly feel that writing about classical music needs to be taken a little more seriously by the ‘powers that be’ (not that I am overly inclined to listen to what they say). The future of classical music journalism is a bright one, and to conclude I quote T. S. Eliot: ‘For last year’s words belong to last year’s language. And next year’s words await another voice’.
DEPUTY EDITOR
LUCY RASH
Lucy is a music administrator, writer and classically-trained violinist. Having completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne, Lucy worked in project management at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music before undertaking a fixed-term contract as Chorus Coordinator at Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Lucy is currently employed as Coordinator of The Pizzicato Effect, the El Sistema-inspired partnership between Meadows Primary School and the MSO. Lucy presents pre- and post-concert talks for the MSO, and has toured with her own musical projects including electronic group TANTRUMS and alt-country trio The Little Sisters. Lucy’s playing has featured on records by local legends Ali E, and her written work has bolstered many a band’s press kit. Sneaky.
A musician myself, I know how important it is to stay connected, engaged and inspired throughout the journey. CutCommon aims to publish content that asks the big questions (or sometimes the smaller ones) of us all; the questions that keep us as musicians seeking more – constantly – from our art. I feel that CutCommon occupies an incredible and unique position in the terrain we navigate daily as young musicians, journalists, and lovers of the arts: it’s a slick and hearty forum for the celebration of young people’s love of classical music, and all the forms that might take. Classical music isn’t dorky; it’s a living, breathing, boundary-pushing art form. There are so many of us out there who believe exactly that. CutCommon is our playground!
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
STEPHANIE ESLAKE
Stephanie founded CutCommon in 2014. With degrees in media and music, she loves discovering ways to combine her passions. Stephanie has been published in The Mercury, TasWeekend, Limelight Magazine, The Herald Sun, Aphra Magazine, The Courier Mail, The Daily Telegraph, Adelaide Now, Young Opportunities Australia, and Warp Magazine – the latter of which she also works as subeditor. The award-winning writer co-founded and ran Upbeat Monthly News for the University of Tasmania’s Conservatorium of Music, has written program notes for the Queensland and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras, and hosted features on Edge Radio 99.3 and ABC Classic FM. The classical saxophonist tutors woodwind and also works in broadcast production. Oh, and she enjoys chilling out to Debussy on a regular basis.
My regular day at CutCommon is this: Brew coffee. Hit play on a CD I’ve listened to far too often (but can’t get enough of). Hook up with the finest young musical talent this country has to offer. In the past year alone, CutCommon has exposed us to hundreds of young composers, musicians, writers, and other industry professionals who are set to pave the way for Australia’s “classical” music future (I use the quoted word lightly). And this is what I love most about running the shindig that is CutCommon: showcasing these remarkably talented people so you can get to know them, too. Make way – 2016 will be a big year, and you can look forward to reading about the newest faces on the music scene and engaging in exciting opportunities presented by the CutCommon team.
IN-HOUSE MASTERING SERVICE
CHRISTOPHER LEON
Tasmanian composer and music producer Christopher Leon graduated in 2013 with a major in Music Technology from the University of Tasmania. Two years earlier, he worked on a team to produce the score for American feature film ‘Christmas With The Dead’, and was also responsible for scoring three TV commercials for the state government. Since picking up the guitar at age 12, Christopher has performed his own classical and Flamenco influenced guitar compositions across Tasmania and has swept through multiple genres on his way to electronic and orchestral music production. He now holds the position of production assistant with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. And he can’t decide whether his next piece will be a classical concerto – or a gangster hip-hop hit. Stay tuned.
It’s exciting to watch so much talent come forward, and the variety of musical styles and young musicians on the scene. It’s also inspiring to see so much original music being produced. Every single work we feature through CutCommon is different and fresh, and I’m looking forward to seeing what composers will imagine and create in 2016.
There’s plenty more of us on the CutCommon team, and you can read all about our writers here.
