Welcome to Con Fuoco – CutCommon’s interview series with emerging musicians across Australia.
Julia Olding is in her final year of a Bachelor of Music at the University of Tasmania. She began her flute studies in 2005 with Jane Harvey. In her studies at the UTAS Conservatorium of Music she’s learnt under Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra musician Lloyd Hudson. Julia is a member of the Hobart City Wind Symphony and has represented the group at the 2014 and 2015 Australian National Band Championships. At the 2015 competition, she won the National Open Flute Championship. She regularly performs with the UTAS Conservatorium Orchestra and the Hobart Chamber Orchestra.
Julia is currently preparing for her final recital at the Conservatorium. She will perform Reinecke’s ‘Undine’ sonata, ‘Divertimento for Solo Flute’ by William Alwyn and Astor Piazzolla’s ‘Histoire du Tango’.
Your all time favourite piece of music?
My all time favourite piece of music would have to be Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 in D minor. It is just so full of emotion and drama and it has plenty of exciting moments. I love the history surrounding it and Shostakovich’s subtle ways of rebelling against Stalin. It is so interesting that the different interpretations of the last movement especially can convey a different message.
Most memorable concert experience?
The concert I remember most vividly is watching my teacher Lloyd Hudson premiere Paul Stanhope’s ‘Piccolo Concerto’ with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. It was so amazing and inspirational. My most memorable performance that I gave was the first time I performed with an orchestra at the end of Year 12. I performed Cecile Chaminade’s ‘Concertino for Flute and Orchestra’. It was awesome and powerful to have the full force of our tiny chamber-sized orchestra behind me.
Biggest fear when performing?
I always worry that my performance is too boring and that people are thinking about their next meal while I’m performing. I realise this is probably irrational, but someone once told me my performance was boring and it just stuck with me.
Best piece of musical advice you’ve been given?
I have been lucky enough to have been given so much musical advice from so many different teachers throughout the years, I have difficulty picking just one! My favourite quote, attributed to Ludwig van Beethoven, is: ‘To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable’. It reminds me to think of the bigger picture of music and not to get too weighed down by the insignificant mistakes in performances.
How do you psych yourself up for practise on a lazy day?
I am a very lazy person so I often find it hard to motivate myself. Usually, I play something I really enjoy like one of the Mozart concertos or a folk tune. This is so I can remind myself why I like it before I get into the real practice, though this can backfire if I end up spending too much time on it!
Most embarrassing moment on stage or in rehearsal?
My most embarrassing on-stage moment was probably when I got a bleeding nose during an eisteddfod performance with the Clarence High School band. It was just before we were about to play, and it started dripping. I had to climb over half a dozen people to get out. I have had so many embarrassing times during rehearsals. Most of them are from when I was in the Tasmanian Youth Orchestra. I was constantly intimidated by the string players because they all seemed so much older and better than me.
Favourite post-gig activity?
The best part of playing a concert is always the post-concert beverages with the band afterwards. It’s always a great feeling of relief when its over, and the fact that you’ve done the best you can do! It is a good way to have a bit of a cool-down after a concert to review how it went.
What are you most proud of in your musical career so far?
I am most proud of the progress I have made over my 10 years of playing. It’s funny to think back to when I first picked a flute up and what I thought was hard. Even listening back to the recordings of my recital at the end of Year 12, I can hear a huge difference. Another significant moment in my musical career was when I organised a group of musicians to perform in a concert at the Wild Island Gallery. I had a lot of help and there was a lot of stress involved, but it was so rewarding when it finally happened!
What do you most love about making music?
I really love performing for other people. It is such a unique experience to get to perform live for others, especially works that I really love. I have been lucky enough to have lots of opportunities to perform solo, with small ensembles as well as orchestras and bands. I especially enjoy performing in an orchestra. There is something so awesome and invigorating about playing in a full-size orchestra.
What’s your ultimate goal?
I have always wanted to play in a professional orchestra. I really enjoy being part of large ensembles and contributing to the overall effect. Orchestral repertoire is so varied and there are always new works being written for orchestras. I would love to make a career out of my passion for orchestral music. My ultimate goal for my performance career is to eventually perform the Khachaturian ‘Concerto for Flute and Orchestra’. As soon as I heard a recording of James Galway performing it with the Royal Philharmonic, I have wanted to perform it!
If you’re an emerging artist and would like to be featured in Con Fuoco, give us a shout at editor@cutcommon.com.
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