BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE
Dedication.
It’s learning your parts. It’s developing your technique. It’s rocking up to rehearsal. In fact, for some, it’s embarking on an eight-hour round-trip to rock up to your rehearsal.
This is life for the young rural musician. In our new series Rural Commuters, we interview performers who have chosen to dedicate their time to travel across the state of New South Wales to attend their rehearsals and concerts with the Sydney Youth Orchestras.
What motivates them to journey so far? Why are they compelled to leave their towns to take part in the youth orchestra experience? What do they do along the way?
Let’s find out.
Rural commuter Gabrielle Cadenhead (19), flute
My hometown
I have two homes: Maitland, near Newcastle in the Hunter Valley; and Sydney.
I moved out of home at the beginning of 2016 to study at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and University of Sydney, but regularly travel between my two homes.
I joined the Sydney Youth Orchestras in February 2016 as soon as I moved to Sydney, and have been a member of Symphonic Wind Orchestra ever since. I rely on public transport to get me everywhere. If I’ve just been back to Maitland to visit my family, which I do every few weeks, I catch a two-and-a-half-hour train to rehearsal.
It is rare that I miss a rehearsal to spend more time in Maitland, because attending rehearsals regularly is important to produce quality performances. I also learn a lot at each rehearsal; refining my ensemble skills, and being exposed to a broad range of repertoire. Leading SWO’s flute section this year also means each rehearsal is a chance to work on my leadership skills.
During the commute
Usually I will occupy myself during the commute by doing uni work. I often compose on the train, or listen to SWO repertoire.
How can we support young musicians living rurally?
I have moved closer to the action, although I still travel between Maitland and Sydney on a regular basis. Before I moved to Sydney, I was a member of Hunter Wind Ensemble, and being part of that ensemble was eye-opening and inspiring. It was one of few such opportunities in the Hunter, and it impacted upon my decision to pursue music as a career.
I feel that if more such ensembles could exist rurally, it would provide opportunities for young musicians to experience the joy of creating music as part of a team, and inspire them to continue playing – perhaps even professionally – or to create music, as it has for me.
My future
My favourite thing about being part of the orchestra is hearing the massive orchestral forces in play, and contributing to the overall ensemble sound. To join together with young people as passionate as you are about performing music, and doing it well, is inspiring.
My musical dream for the future is something I am already working towards: being a composer. Because of my experience in an orchestral setting, I love composing for powerful orchestral forces, as well as smaller ensemble combinations. Last year I was Newcastle Youth Orchestra’s composer-in-residence, and later this year SWO will be premiering my first piece for full wind orchestra, Fractals and Shadows.
Advice to fellow commuters
Commuting takes a lot of dedication, but if you are passionate about music you should seize this opportunity with both hands. There are players in SWO who come to rehearsals every two or three weeks because it’s too difficult to travel that distance every week. If you are at a level where you want to take your music further, experiencing playing in an orchestra will improve your playing dramatically and challenge you to become a better player. It is also incredibly fun to work with the conductor and the other members of the orchestra to create a wonderful sound.
About Gabrielle
Gabrielle Cadenhead leads the flute section in SYO’s Symphonic Wind Orchestra. She is a second-
year university student studying a Bachelor of Music Studies (Composition) and Bachelor of Arts
(English) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the University of Sydney. She moved to Sydney from Maitland in the Hunter Valley at the beginning of 2016 to commence her university studies, and frequently travels between Sydney and the Hunter.
Gabrielle has been learning piano since she was seven years old and flute since she was nine, and has performed in several wind bands, including Hunter Wind Ensemble. She has also composed for large ensembles, and was Newcastle Youth Orchestra’s composer-in- residence in 2016. She hopes to make composing her career.
Join more than 500 young musicians and audition for the Sydney Youth Orchestras experience – wherever you may live in New South Wales. Applications open until September 22, more info on the SYO website.
Image of Maitland, NSW. Nomad Tales via Flickr, CC2.0.
