BY ELSABETH PARKINSON
I was seized with a pulse of excitement.
It was January and I was nearing the end of the Australian Youth Orchestra’s Words About Music program. While at this National Music Camp, I’d already learned and done so much, from interviews to radio features to articles. And yet, I knew that if I wanted to pursue a career in music media, there would be more in store.
The Canberra International Music Festival was accepting applications for a media internship. Two weeks in the capital city, mingling with artists from all over the world, attending concerts of classical and contemporary music every day? I was in.
Of course I was in.
I’d write program notes and marketing copy, and who knows what else, and I’d get to go behind the scenes of one of Australia’s biggest art music events. What’s not to love?
My optimism skyrocketed upon receiving a kindly worded acceptance letter. Over the next few weeks, I was kept pleasantly busy, sending program notes and press releases to the festival team via email. But until my arrival in Canberra a few days ago, I still wasn’t really sure what to expect. I didn’t even know where I was staying!
Fortunately, the lovely Krista Vincent, CIMF’s marketing coordinator, came forward to rescue me. Now, two days into the festival, I’m comfortably ensconced behind my own desk with a mounting heap of reviews, features and interviews to write, happy as a pig in mud.
I can already tell that this experience is going to teem with the unexpected – so far, my festival-related activities have also included laminating, lanyard assembly, advertisement pack delivery, and babysitting. There are some amazing writers and music professionals lined up for me to meet, and I’ve officially reviewed my first concert. The internship experience is well underway!
I expect I’ll have to change a lot of my assumptions about writing and music. Here at the festival, I’m on the ground, in the thick of it, finding out how the industry really works. I’ll have to learn quickly and be flexible. In order to make the most of these few days, I expect I will also have to be bold, and grasp at opportunities to spruik my writing wherever possible (a challenge for a secret introvert who, deep down, would prefer not to confront people). I know I’ll be busy, and I don’t expect to sleep much. But as the festival advances, and my schedule becomes increasingly crazy, I am gently invaded by a sense of adventure. Whatever else this may be, I know it will be fun.
About Elsabeth Parkinson
Adelaide-based Elsabeth Parkinson is a writer, a teacher and a pianist. She recently completed a Bachelor of Music at the Elder Conservatorium, and participated in this year’s Words About Music program at the Australian Youth Orchestra’s National Music Camp. She reckons her media and marketing internship at the Canberra International Festival of Music is the next step in taking her writing to the world.
Featured image of Canberra Youth Orchestra. Credit: Peter Hislop (read our interview with the photographer).
