BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE
Australian music educator Richard Gill AO will unite hundreds of young Tasmanians in song as part of this year’s Festival of Voices.
Through the Tasmania Sings program, Gill will conduct 450 performers through works by Australian composers Paul Jarman, Harley Mead, and Stephen Leek. Singers from 11 schools across the state are taking part, along with the Tasmanian Youth Orchestra String Ensemble.
If you’re not a student, don’t worry – you will still have the opportunity to attend a rehearsal with the conductor before the June 30 event in the Federation Concert Hall.
As part of the festival, Gill will also present Bach’s St Matthew Passion with the TSO Chorus and the Festival of Voices Chorus on July 9.
You’ll conduct a range of talents at this year’s Festival of Voices – how do you go about teaching those to sing who may be approaching music from scratch?
Start with a song and just let people have the time to listen and to sing. The sound is irrelevant. It is the attempt which counts. From the attempt comes some success and nothing succeeds like success.
Why is St Matthew Passion a work that fits well for this project?
Because of the chorales which are interspersed throughout the work. The chorales in the St Matthew Passion are the music of the people. The music of the people is not unlike the way in which the poet Wordsworth described nature and a parallel with music when he wrote:
For I have learned
To look on nature, not as in the hour
Of thoughtless youth; but hearing oftentimes
The still, sad music of humanity,
Nor harsh nor grating, though of ample power
To chasten and subdue.
– William Wordsworth, Tintern Abbey
What do you want new singers to take away from the experience of working with you?
Love the music. Enjoy the singing and have a great time with like-minded people.
How can large-scale group singing serve the community?
Singing as a community unites the community. We sing together to be together. Children for example, who might have differences in a school playground, will be united in singing. Singing provides a sense of well-being, a feeling of inclusion and that as a singer in a community, one has made a contribution.
As an educator for life, what is it that you find fulfilling as you unlock musical knowledge and experience in others?
The incredible joy that comes from music. Here is a list of answers given to me by a Grade 6 class in Perth last week:
We do this (singing) because it’s fun; we learn about music; we learn to dance and sing at the same time; we like it a lot; it’s a thrill; it makes me happy.
How do you feel young musicians who don’t major in voice could benefit from joining a choir?
Join a choir and know that your contribution is valued and appreciated.
Parting words?
Just sing.
For more information on Richard Gill’s Tasmania visit, see the Festival of Voices website.
