Eight exceptional Flinders music students shone on stage as part of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra in the captivating "Dreams and Stories" concert on Saturday, 10 August in the Flinders Performance Centre at Matthew Flinders Anglican College.
The "Dreams and Stories" concert goes on for a second performance in Brisbane's QPAC Concert Hall on Sunday, 18 August.
The students from Years 9 to 12 were selected for the SidebySide program to perform one of the pieces with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
One of the students, Tyler Cuttill on the French Horn, was invited to perform multiple pieces.
The students had to audition and were selected for the QSO's SidebySide, a high-calibre masterclass program that involved a one-hour mentoring session followed by a performance alongside the Orchestra that same evening.
Flinders Acting Director of Music Ms Sally McHugh was thrilled to see the students embrace the mentoring and performance opportunities.
"Our Flinders musicians who participated in the SidebySide program were incredibly focused and attentive in their masterclass workshops, which was held on the afternoon of the concert in our Flinders Performance Centre," Ms McHugh said.
"They were certainly attuned to their mentors' guiding concepts and responsive in their execution.
"During the concert, the students carried themselves with flair and incredible maturity in an exceedingly high pressure situation as they worked with one of Australia's leading State Orchestras and their internationally renowned conductor Katarina Wincor, a rising charismatic star."
“Dreams and Stories” was conducted by rising charismatic Austrian conductor, Katharina Wincor and featured Peter Sculthorpe’s spell-binding Kakadu, with Didgeridoo virtuoso William Barton breathing additional rhythm and life into this experience.
The following Flinders students performed as part of the QSO’s SidebySide program:
Tyler Cuttill - French Horn; Natalie Gilmore - Flute; Billie Macnicol - Cello; Lorenzo McPherson - Trumpet; Sofia Perez - Violin 2; Daniel Probert - Percussion; Andy Tran - Viola; and Hanina Ward - Violin 1.
Old Flinderian Tate Cassells performs as part of the QSO:
Also performing as part of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra was Old Flinderian Tate Cassells (Flinders Class of 2020) who performs with the Orchestra on the trombone. Tate was delighted to return to perform at Flinders and was cheered on the by the audience in a special shout-out!
Tate is preparing to move to Manchester in England. Tate was recently accepted to the prestigious Royal Northern College of Music to study a master's degree in performance.
What the students say
Before the concert began, we interviewed the students to find out what they were looking forward to about the SidebySide opportunity.
See their responses below.
Billie Macnicol is in Year 11 at Flinders and says the SidebySide program opportunity “is something really amazing!”
“It will be a real thrill to be able to have a masterclass in the afternoon and then play the concert’s finale piece that evening alongside the QSO musicians who I’ve watched perform so masterfully on stage,” Billie said.
“I am looking forward to having a one-hour session with our QSO mentor to work through the piece and learn notations.
“And we also get to watch their final rehearsal before they go on stage, which will be fascinating to see how the conductor interacts with the Orchestra.”
Lorenzo in Year 12 began music at Flinders in Year 4 and has played many instruments, including trumpet, piano, strings and vocals. These days, vocals and trumpet are his priority.
Lorenzo said, “I'm really looking forward to getting a chance to talk to the professional QSO musicians about career pathways, because I'm not sure what I want to do yet, although I'm thinking of performance.
“Otherwise, I might pursue environmental science or engineering.”
Lorenzo is grateful for what he’s learned through the Flinders Music Program.
“Music at Flinders is exceptional and the teachers and tutors are so supportive and positive. I'm really grateful for it. Our teachers try to help you find your talent and then really develop it. My mentor, Mr John Thomas, has really helped with that.”
Dan in Year 12 is a percussionist and plays in the College’s Wind Symphony. He is considering studying a music composition program in Melbourne next year.
With the QSO, he will play the bass drum in the finale for “Dreams and Stories” but will be mentored by a QSO timpanist who is generously travelling to the Sunshine Coast especially for his one-hour masterclass.
“I'm looking forward to getting some feedback on my percussion technique. I’ve been practicing the piece that my mentor will be taking me through.”
The College’s Acting Director of Music, Ms Sally McHugh said, “We can’t underestimate what a positive and powerful effect this shared learning experience through SidebySide will have on our students.
“The nerves will be there, but I know the mentors will help the students steady their nerves so they can have the most extraordinary experience. It will be amazing for the students to experience the impact an industry mentor can have in a short period of time.
“We are so excited for our students, and I think that's what's special here in the music department at Flinders. We are staffed with musicians and teachers who are solely in it for the students.
“If we could leave the stage and let them run the whole program, we would in a heartbeat, because they certainly have the skills. I think that's our ultimate aim: to set our young musicians up for success and enjoyment through their music.”
