Welcome to Con Fuoco – CutCommon’s interview series with emerging musicians across Australia.
At 11, Carlin Hara-Crockford picked up the alto saxophone. But it wasn’t until he heard a recording of Henry Mancini’s famous ‘Pink Panther’ that he decided to switch to tenor, and the student is now majoring in the instrument at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University. Under the tutelage of woodwind specialist Diana Tolmie, he has taken part in the Queensland Conservatorium Saxophone Orchestra and composed a new work ‘Nomads’ released on the group’s album last year.
Your all time favourite piece of music?
‘Coming Home to You’ by Ruby Velle is my all time favourite piece of music. There are many reasons why I like this song but I mainly listen to this song to relax. It is laid back and smooth and I like to have a similarly laid back personality. Therefore, whenever I’m annoyed or tense, I just listen to this.
Most memorable concert experience?
Performing with the Australian Saxophone Orchestra on a big outdoor stage in Strasbourg, France in the middle of 2015. The performance was simply fun to be part of and it was exciting to be on the stage with such a large crowd gathering to hear us. A concert I attended in October of 2015 included Brahms’ Symphony No.2, which was performed by the Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra. I really like Brahms and I believe the orchestra performed exceptionally well, so I find it is one of the most memorable concerts I attended.
Biggest fear when performing?
My biggest fear when performing is that I won’t have enjoyed it when it’s done. Enjoying a performance makes the practice worth it and means that I’m still going down the right life path. If I stop enjoying it, then I feel unsure of whether or not what I’m doing is worth it. So far, I’ve enjoyed it.
Best piece of musical advice you’ve been given?
I feel that the best advice for me came from Diana Tolmie at the beginning of 2015. She believes promoting in versatility in musicians. She encourages all of the saxophones at the Griffith Conservatorium to learn other instruments, compose, and record so that we experience many different parts of the music industry and find out what we enjoy the most about music.
How do you psych yourself up for practice on a lazy day?
I could never do this alone. I always think of my peers and how far they’ve come through their practice and it psychs me up to practice as well. Everyone in the saxophone orchestra has qualities that inspire me to practice and become a better player.
Most embarrassing thing to happen to you on stage?
At my first gig with the saxophone orchestra in early 2015, I came in one bar early at the very beginning of ‘Molly on the Shore’ by Percy Grainger. The orchestra luckily was calm and collected and entered around the mistake and we made it through the rest of piece just fine.
Favourite post-gig activity?
Like any concert at the Conservatorium, hours, days or even weeks are rigorously put into rehearsing and preparing. This results in a wave of fatigue falling over me after each concert is finished so naturally I really like sleeping after concerts.
What are you most proud of in your musical career so far?
The Queensland Conservatorium Saxophone Orchestra recorded a CD (‘Australian Made’, 2015) and a piece I wrote called ‘Nomads’ was included on that CD. So far this is the biggest achievement in my music career and I’m so proud to not only have written a piece of music that has been recorded but also to be part of the orchestra that recorded it.
What do you love most about making music?
I love collaboration and networking. I like meeting people, making friends and working with other musicians on projects.
What’s your ultimate goal?
My ultimate goal is to be a versatile musician. I want to be a part of many different areas in music such as performance, composition and music technology.
The Queensland Conservatorium Saxophone Orchestra’s new release ‘Australian Made’ will soon be available to purchase on CutCommon. In the meantime, follow the group’s page at facebook.com/QueenslandConservatoriumSaxophoneOrchestra.
Image supplied.
