Welcome to Con Fuoco, CutCommon’s interview series with emerging musicians in Australia.
Emily Ampt is the concertmaster of the brand new Western Sydney Youth Orchestra. Her orchestral training began with the Penrith Strings program, a collaboration of the Penrith Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Chamber Orchestra. She has also performed with the Penrith Symphony Orchestra and the Orpheus Strings, HICES music camp’s symphony orchestra, and in 2016 was concertmaster of the Sydney Symphony Fellows’ Orchestral workshops.
This year Emily joined Sydney Youth Orchestras, as a violinist in the Peter Seymour Orchestra and concertmaster of WSYO. She was invited to play with the SYO touring orchestra for their Mozart by the Sea tour, and will travel with the group to Europe as part of its tour this April. Emily also has a keen interest in choral music and is a member of Gondwana Voices.
Your all time favourite piece of music?
I absolutely adore the Perlman and Zukerman version of Handel’s Passacaglia in G minor. However, growing up in a family of organists, I hear a lot of Bach and hold such high regard for all of his magnificent music, and subsequently have a soft spot for Baroque music.
Most memorable concert experience?
Performing alongside Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra at the Sydney Town Hall has been amazing first-hand experience of the professional chamber ensemble, and what that looks like in Australia. These inspirational, motivated musicians are always working at their highest capacity to create such a strong sense of ensembleship, which in turn has encouraged me to always be aware of my fellow performers and be sure to communicate in order to produce the best possible sound.
Biggest fear when performing?
Not having practised enough to enjoy myself! Performing, particularly in ensembles, is such a great feeling for me. But you always have to be on top of your notes in order to really get into the music. I suppose my biggest fear is not being able to present my best performance.
Best piece of musical advice you’ve received?
I have been incredibly lucky to work with so many of Australia’s leading musicians over the course of the last few years, and have received advice worth its weight in gold from all of them. One of my SYO conductors quotes Beethoven in what I feel helps define my attitude toward playing: ‘To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable’.
How do you psych yourself up for practice on a lazy day?
Practice, like any other habit, just becomes part of routine once you get used it. It can come as a welcome aid to a ‘lazy’ day, but usually is a comfort zone where I can come back to my senses and focus wholly on self-improvement.
Most embarrassing moment on stage or in rehearsal?
There have been plenty! Playing is always a learning experience, no matter how great or small the performance or rehearsal. I actually forgot my music for the performance of my very first Beethoven symphony, and had to read off the stand in front. A bit of a traumatic experience, but taught me to always triple check I have everything I need before leaving the house!
Your post-gig ritual?
Going out to celebrate with fellow musicians is always a rewarding way to kick back and reflect on a wonderful (or not so wonderful!) performance, and all the hard work that comes with it. Of course, the most welcome thing post-gig always has to be some well-earned sleep!
What are you most proud of in your musical career so far?
Being given the incredible opportunity to tour Europe with SYO is definitely the highlight of my musical career so far! Even though the event hasn’t happened yet, I am so excited and honoured to be able to be a part of such a high-class ensemble playing such exhilarating music in world-class venues.
What do you love most about making music?
There is something so uniquely special about classical music – something that is never achieved quite the same in today’s pop, rock, etc. music. There is such a complexity to the music of Beethoven and the absolute mastery of Bach. What I love so dearly about making music is the feeling of simultaneous calm and adrenaline, of giving audiences something beautiful and intriguing and working as an ensemble to be connected by a mutual passion for an ancient but timeless art.
What’s your ultimate goal?
My ultimate goal is an ongoing one – to always strive to be a better version of myself. As a musician, this should always be an ongoing goal, as there is never a point in one’s life when ‘good enough’ should be acceptable. While we live and breathe, there is always room for improvement, and I wish to continue to pursue this!
See Emily Ampt perform in the SYO Autumn Showcase – Orchestral Program and Launch of WSYO. Riverside Theatre, 2pm March 26. Tickets online.
Subscribe to CutCommon for a 20% discount on your ticket to ALL Sydney Youth Orchestra events!
[purchase_link id=”6356″ style=”button” color=”red” text=”1 Year Subscription”]
You’ll also receive a year’s worth of discounts to…
-
- Australian Chamber Choir
- Melbourne Youth Orchestras
- Sydney Philharmonia Choirs
- The Song Company
- Sydney Youth Orchestras
- Tasmanian Youth Orchestras
- Melbourne Philharmonia Project
- Voyces
- Melbourne Guitar Foundation
- Inventi Ensemble
- Western Australian Youth Orchestra
- Australian Bach Society
- Muses Trio
- Dots+Loops
- Luminescence Chamber Singers
- Tinalley String Quartet
- Marais Project
- Arcko Symphonic Ensemble
- Matt Withers Solo
- Forest Collective
- New Palm Court Orchestra
- Melbourne Guitar Quartet
- And other goodies….
