BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE
How do you bring a music performance to life?
There’s a small team of emerging artists working hard in Melbourne’s inner northwest to do just that – and we want to know all their secrets.
Concerts at St George’s exists to celebrate new talent in classical music – and enrich a community with life and sound. To learn about the journey into making a music venue, we bring you this new interview series so you can find out more about the industry skills involved.
This week, we chat with pianist and composer Kitty Xiao, who is engaging with the venue as a performer in Nimbus Trio. She enlightens us on the responsibilities of a musician when selecting and working with a concert venue, ahead of the Friends of Music Series performance at St George’s on June 25.
How did you become involved with Concerts at St George’s?
I first met Concert at St George’s concert coordinator Natasha Lin at a composer’s concert in 2015. I was performing several of my works with Nimbus Trio, and Natasha was involved in performing new works by other emerging composers. We hit it off straight away, both interested in expanding performance opportunities for new music. Our common passion has not only lead to Nimbus Trio’s performance at St George’s, but also other future projects together – one which involves six pianos!
Talk us through what you’ll be presenting at the St George’s venue.
Nimbus Trio will be presenting an all new music program, which will include my own compositions (some which will be featured on our upcoming album Novum), as well as the world premiere of a new work by composer Bianca Gannon.
As a performer, how do you choose a program to suit a venue?
Do you choose a program to suit the venue, or a venue to suit the program? Nimbus Trio performs only new music of living composers, so we are always considering venues that reflect similar values to the music we play. Finding innovation from the past, creating new ideas from old, evolving, gaining momentum towards the new, all form the basis of what we want from our music, audiences, and venue.
Concert at St. George’s has embraced this and provides a platform for a new generation of classical musicians. It’s a new venue that isn’t scared to let the musicians experiment or impress anyone. It’s purely a collaborative network of emerging musicians doing what they love, and the audience is excited by that. As for commissioning new work, we are interested in composers that will add to our vision and be a part of this network.
What do you expect from a venue and the people facilitating its events?
Clear communication of expectations, opportunities to reach new audiences, and allowing flexibility and trusting the performer’s ideas. (Learn more about the innovative people behind the venue involved in audience development, community engagement, and marketing the Concert at St George’s series.)
How do you find the experience of performing secular music in a church environment?
I feel so much admiration for the craft and history of these buildings, especially when surrounded by music. St George’s has been available to the public since 1925, and though it was not necessarily designed for the same traditions and music that we practice, the space has dedicated much opportunity for integrating the community in new music and performance.
How much is it the musician’s responsibility to market their own performance?
I think it has become apparent in our age that musicians – especially those in early career – are not only composers and performers, but are also responsible for the organisation and promotion of their music and events. Sure, you can depend on the venue or someone else to meet this role. But essentially, you’re the one who understands and can talk about your music the best!
What advice would you give to young musicians needing to liaise with a concert venue?
Be clear with your expectations and don’t be afraid to offer something new or different. Engage with the people around you, the larger network and look to them for opportunities and inspiration.
See Kitty Xiao perform in Nimbus Trio for the Friends of Music Series performance as part of Concerts at St George’s on June 25.
Image supplied.
