BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE
When Emma Morrison was at school, she thought the bassoon could be fun – its “deep resonant sound and quirky nature” appealed to her, even though she’d started learning clarinet. She even liked the idea of crafting her own reeds (“little did I know the pain,” she now laughs).
So after a try-out period at the Melbourne Youth Music Summer School, followed by a year of “begging” for lessons, she found herself stuck with the instrument – and now it’s for life.
The Melbourne bassoonist is completing her Master of Music Performance at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, and has been selected to take part in this year’s Australian Youth Orchestra Chamber Players program for outstanding young musicians.
“Last year, I was involved in the AYO National Music Camp and had an absolute blast,” Emma says of her history with the youth orchestra.
“I auditioned again for this year, and am delighted to be involved in a wide range of programs that have expanded my versatility as a musician, and connected me to many like-minded young musicians from across Australia.”
It’s a familiar mantra among those who have taken part in AYO programs – from its camp to the Young Symphonists. But for Emma, the Chamber Players program offers something a little different.
“The AYO Chamber Players is unique because of its intensive week-long focus on making music in a smaller, intimate scale,” she explains.
“We have been working on developing communication, listening, and musicality, which are transferable and enhance playing in an orchestral and solo environment, too.”
This week, Emma is taking part in the program and rehearsing with young musicians from various Australian cities to form the AYO Wind Quintet – one of many burgeoning chamber ensembles in the program that also includes string quartets and piano trios.
“It has been a thrill to develop a collective sound and be energised by each other’s playing,” Emma says.
“Every ensemble has also had the rare chance to perform multiple times at in-house concerts to test out new repertoire before culminating in a final public performance this Saturday, which is sure to be electric.”
Emma’s quintet has spent the past week exploring “key works” including those by Danzi, Grainger, and Paul Juon. But the one she looks forward to the most is the Sextet for wind quintet and piano by Poulenc, through which the group has the opportunity to perform with renowned classical pianist and AYO Chamber Players musical director Piers Lane AO.
“He plays the piano with such animation and has offered some great advice in interpreting this core piece for winds.”
The experience will add to Emma’s growing relationship with the AYO – in the past, she has also featured in the AYO Fellowship with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, and AYO Momentum Ensemble where she was “inspired by collaborating in performance with disabled children, and learnt skills in how to make music accessible to everyone”. Now, as a founding member of her trio Eine Kleine Wind, she visits Victorian schools to continue to promote music to children; and tutors at a number of schools in her state.
“My experiences such as AYO are reflected in the joy and appreciation of music I hope to pass onto younger musicians. It is a great privilege to keep music alive and relevant through education, and I hope to continue creating a career that balances performing and teaching.”
You’ll get to see Emma perform alongside some of Australia’s foremost young chamber musicians this weekend. And the best part? “It is free!”
“Every ensemble has worked extremely hard this week to create music of the highest calibre, and we are excited to perform our highlights from the week across two concerts on Saturday.
“There will be a large array of composers on display, lots of notes and youthful energy on stage.”
Get amongst it.
See the AYO Chamber Players perform on 29 September in Elder Hall, Adelaide. Concert 1 takes place at 3pm, and Concert 2 at 7pm – both are free.
Find out more about the concerts on the AYO website, and learn more about the AYO Chamber Players program right here if you’re keen to take part next year.
CutCommon is excited to partner with AYO to bring you even more coverage of these young musicians’ achievements in Australia throughout the year!
READ NEXT: We chat with AYO tutor Francois Combemorel about what the educators learn from the students, too!
Images supplied.
