Simone Young

Conductor Simone Young chats with the students for a post-rehearsal Q & A.

- WASO

The kick-off!

Today marked the beginning of the Orchestral Training Program, or ‘OTP’, as we’ve coined it in-house. Our ten participants met in the Green Room of the Perth Concert Hall. (The Green Room is a venue in theatres and concert halls where performers not required on stage are able to ‘hang out’. The origin of the name ‘green room’ comes from historical evidence of the spaces being painted green. I digress.)

The participants met WASO staff from Artistic Planning and Orchestra Management, who explained the program, elements of working with an Orchestra, and answered questions from the inquisitive bunch.

We are really pleased that, in this year’s OTP, we have a range of instruments across all four sections of the orchestra (strings, brass, woodwind, percussion). We could start an ensemble with these talented players – but they’ll be too busy observing rehearsals on stage! The participants will be observing two conductors. Australia’s own world recognized Maestra (feminine of Maestro), Simone Young, will be conducting a powershed program this week including Mahler’s 10th Symphony and Messiaen’s Concert á quatre – a concerto featuring four talented instrumentalists (including two from WASO!). The participants will also watch our Principal Conductor, Paul Daniel, as he prepares the Orchestra for our Gala performance and then, Bach and Bruckner. More on both of these programs, soon… watch this space.

So who are our talented ten?

This year we congratulate the following young musicians:

Kane Moroney                        Flute
Nick Schurmann                    Oboe
Benjamin Pallagi                    Clarinet
Carl Harper                             Trombone
Thea Rossen                            Perc/Timpani
Sophie Reynolds                     Violin
Ellaine Cheng                          Violin
Emma Yole                              Violin
Josephine Fountain               Cello
Nick Pitt                                   Cello

Each of the participants will be guided by a Mentor from WASO to prepare for a ‘mock casual audition’ – which involves a performance of a number of excerpts on their instrument, as well as a solo piece. The participants are also invited to attend WASO concerts (at no cost) and to really emerse themselves in the life of an orchestra for the month of August.

We are looking forward to what the participants have to say about the program very soon!

- WASO