BY EMILIA BERTOLINI AS TOLD TO CUTCOMMON
In this series, we introduce you to the participants in the 2019 Young Songmakers program, which is part of Songmakers Australia. They will each perform in the upcoming Schubertiade this October.
Getting into the Young Songmakers program is such an honour, and it has definitely been a highlight of this year. I’ve always loved lieder and art song, and I really saw this program as an opportunity to gain a deeper insight into these genres that I had only really glossed over in my university studies.
I believe that good musicianship is a skill that elevates you in every genre as a singer, whether you specialise in opera, chamber music, choirs, anything!
I feel so lucky to have the access to this continued, specialised learning and I will definitely implement those skills into every genre that I explore.
Through the Young Songmakers program, we have had weekly coaching sessions with Andrea Katz, as a group. This has been a great way to continuously work on repertoire, and to get really comfortable singing as a group. I definitely think that chamber singing in a small groups requires time to get to know the other musicians, and to learn how to bounce off one another musically.
We have also had the opportunity to take part in masterclasses with the other members of Songmakers, and visiting guests including Graham Johnson. I’ve particularly enjoyed this side of the program, as I see masterclasses as a wonderful opportunity to get immediate feedback and really understand how my performance reads from the eyes and ears of the experts!
I think it is essential for the industry to support the up-and-coming musicians through programs such as this. I think that Australia has so many fantastic musicians who are just so eager to play, to sing, to learn, and generally soak up knowledge.
I believe that the more the industry invests in really practical, performance-based training, the more it will facilitate a platform for Australian musicians to flourish and create excellent work.
I definitely think that excellence only makes way for more excellence and, as a performer, you should always be finding ways to improve yourself — not just for your own personal gain, but to the benefit of your colleagues and, most importantly, your audiences.
See the Young Songmakers perform at Schubertiade, 5 and 6 October in the Hawthorn Arts Centre.
Image supplied.
