BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE
The Australian National Academy of Music finds itself in the middle of a unique COVID-19 situation: not only has it needed to cancel its concerts due to COVID-19 lockdowns, but it’s also closed its doors to musicians who are training at the educational institution.
That is, closed its physical doors.
Musicians, faculty, and arts administrators of the ANAM team are working hard behind the scenes to deliver an online training program — and they show no signs of stopping. That’s why we’ve launched a new interview series about the unstoppable artists of Australia — established and emerging — so we can facilitate an honest discussion about how musicians are continuing to engage in their music education during COVID-19.
In this series, you’ll hear from musicians in training — and musicians who are providing that training! We hope you’ll be inspired to continue your own engagement in music education, whatever form that may take.
Here, we talk with Claudia Leggett, French horn
Brisbane’s Claudia Leggett graduated from Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, and made the move to Melbourne to study at the Australian National Academy of Music — only to move right back again to her family home for COVID-19 lockdowns. Prior to her now-digital learning at ANAM, Claudia played as a casual musician with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, has performed with the Queensland Youth Orchestra, and took part in the Australian Youth Orchestra National Music Camp.
Thank you so much for taking part in our interview series during COVID-19. Aside from answering our questions, what have you been getting up to today?
I started my day with a run with my dog in the state forest near my house. I’ve done my morning practice routine, some gardening, and read my book for a while — and here I am!
The pandemic is unlike anything our industry has seen before. Where were you in your life, and career, when it all came to a halt due to the lockdowns?
I graduated from a Bachelor of Music in Brisbane at the end of last year. With that milestone passed, I was facing an indefinite expanse of time that was mine to do whatever I wanted with it. That was terrifying and exciting.
Things took a quick turn in February when I was given a late offer from ANAM, and within two weeks I had quit my jobs and was in Melbourne.
I had a grand total of four weeks in Melbourne before lockdown laws started coming into effect, and I decided to return to Brisbane to be with my family. It was disappointing to have to leave Melbourne just as my ANAM adventure was beginning, but it definitely felt like the right choice returning to Brisbane.
So how are you continuing to further your music education during this time — whether it’s online lessons or time spent reading?
The Berlin Philharmoniker’s Digital Concert Hall has been my best friend. My brother has an amazing set of speakers and we’ve been setting them up in surround-sound formation for a virtual in-house concert. The amount of warm-ups, masterclasses, and interviews being posted online by professionals at the moment is huge, and I’ve loved exploring these new ideas from around the world.
During this time, I’ve also been really trying to expand my listening and get to know as much varied repertoire as possible.
I’ve also downloaded Logic Pro X and have been learning how to use it with the help of an experienced friend. I’ve been putting together a horn octet piece — creating a click track, recording all eight parts, and then layering them. I usually run in the other direction from anything technology-related because it seems so daunting to me. But I made myself persevere with this, and while my skills with the software are still quite minimal, I have been completely stunned by what is possible. It’s definitely a set of skills I will try to continue developing.
Music education has shifted to the digital world almost seamlessly, hasn’t it? As a student, what have you found to be some of the best techniques to communicate in this new way, in the absence of physical presence? After all, music is indeed a physical practice!
ANAM has been operating online for several weeks now. I had never had an online horn lesson before this, but it works surprisingly well over Zoom!
Aside from our private lessons, we have been partaking in instrument and section classes, online chamber music, performance class, and have had webinars presented by a huge array of extremely high-profile industry professionals. Everything moving temporarily online seems to have opened the community to connecting via the internet on a scale that may not have otherwise happened — it’s amazing!
Each week, our ANAM horn teacher, Ben Jacks, has been setting the horn students a few excerpts to record and then workshop in horn class. It’s been a great opportunity to work through this repertoire in a structured way and to encourage us to record ourselves.
With the absence of colleagues to lend a critical ear in person, I have turned to recording myself for self-evaluation in my practice much more frequently, which is definitely a good thing.
How connected do you still feel to your community — from your ANAM community through to your friends in the industry? And how are you maintaining or even enriching these connections?
It’s been lovely how much everyone has been checking in on one another. We are lucky in this technology age that our friends are just a phone call or Zoom away.
My favourite virtual hang-out I’ve done regularly with a few friends is chatting on Zoom whilst playing a version of online Pictionary — with popcorn and a beer in hand, of course.
ANAM has been great with maintaining a sense of community and has been checking in on us regularly. It’s so lovely seeing everyone’s faces on Zoom every week at instrument and section classes.
Our ANAM horn teacher Ben Jacks has organised a few online ‘horn hangs’ with professional horn players. It’s been great to hear the pearls of wisdom from these players, and also to have a laugh and hear some great stories.
I am also one of many Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University alumni who have been dropping in on some of Peter Luff’s Zoom warm-ups for his students. I have really appreciated his openness and that chance to stay feeling connected to the Queensland horn community.
Of course, outside community, there’s a lot of time spent in solitude. How are you filling it?
With lots of things! One thing I have wanted to do for a long time was learn the guitar. It’s such a fun and social instrument. My dad used to play the guitar for me when I was little, and I think that influence is probably what started to inspire a love of music. To be taught my first few chords on the guitar by my dad was a really special moment. I’ve also really enjoyed having another musical endeavour, away from the horn, to invest time into.
I’ve also been spending a lot of time reading. I have a huge pile of books I’ve bought for $1 each at op shops that I’ve been making my way through. My family and I have also been making our way through movie series we enjoyed together when we were younger.
How has your practice routine changed?
The way I’ve planned my practice sessions hasn’t changed a huge amount. Having the structure and consistency to my schedule is really important to me. However, having the extra time to work with has been nice, as I can be more flexible with adjusting my practice based on how I feel or my needs.
ANAM Brass recently had a session with Andrew Bain who reminded us that we were never going to have a period of time like this in our careers ever again — and while it is a tough time, we may as well use the extra time to our advantage to make some big changes to our playing. It has definitely been nice to be able to iron out some technical issues with my playing, without the pressure of an impending performance.
I’ve also found, instead of trying to plough through as much content as possible, I’ve allowed my practice sessions to run a little slower. Impatience and agitation are so destructive in the practice room — I think every musician knows this experience. Having the extra space in my practice schedule has encouraged me to prioritise cultivating a calm and clear state of mind at all times, and to just be a little less mean to myself about my playing.
So you’re in lockdown with your family — how are you navigating around each others’ needs?
I am currently staying at my parents’ house, which is in a rural area just outside of Brisbane. My whole immediate family are here, and it’s been lovely to spend the time together because we are usually spread out in lots of different places. Luckily, we each have our own space in the house — so disturbing each other is not such an issue.
In general, good communication and sharing of responsibilities has been important in making sure the household runs well. Overall, I think my cat was the happiest to have me back up in Brisbane and has hardly left me alone since I’ve been here.
When things feel like they’re getting too hard, due to cancellations or uncertainty, what do you like to do to feel better?
Baking lots of cakes! I’m definitely an experimenter when it comes to cooking, and through trial and error I’ve come closer and closer to my ideal chocolate and almond cake recipe.
On a more serious note, though, what helps me feel better is to try not to worry about things I can’t control. The reality is that coronavirus has created some really challenging circumstances for some people, and in a lot of ways our lives are worse than they were pre-COVID-19. But the good thing is, if we look for it, there are ways in which we can make our lives a bit better than usual at the moment. I’ve been trying to use this time to realign with what helps me get the most out of life. When I am busy and stressed, eating well and looking after myself is unfortunately usually the first thing to go. So at the moment, I’ve been getting up at the same time each day, and going for a walk or run and doing some yoga and meditation. This feels great because already before I have done anything else, I have taken the time to do something that invests in my health. It sets a tone of self-respect for my day. Hopefully, I can continue these habits.
What are you most looking forward to doing when it’s all over?
I can’t wait to get back to ANAM, and continue getting to know my colleagues and exploring Melbourne.
The thing I’m looking forward to the most is playing music with other people again. While I enjoy personal practice, the reason we invest so much time in our craft is to be able to collaborate with others and create something that is more than the sum of its parts.
I’m also really looking forward to seeing live music again. Artists are so resilient, and have been performing online under these extraordinary circumstances, but there’s nothing like experiencing it live!
Catch up on our UNSTOPPABLE ARTISTS interview with ANAM Musician Jared Yapp.
Images supplied, captured by Pia Johnson.
