Australian Youth Orchestra
The Stories Behind the Music
Creativity comes alive in many ways at AYO National Music Camp! We welcomed a fantastic group of composition students to Adelaide to practise their craft in two jam-packed weeks of activities. The camp environment is designed so that all participants can gain vital experience for their future artistic careers and learn to immerse themselves in their craft – for the composition cohort there was certainly no exception.
In addition to working their skills in a foreign environment, these participants gained valuable feedback and industry knowledge under the guidance of renowned Australian/American composer Melody Eötvös, worked with each other, absorbed information during rehearsals of their works, and made the most of having musicians at arm’s reach.
Among the many achievements of this group was their adaptation to the time pressure; each young composer produced a major work which was premiered under the baton of conductor Ariel Zuckermann within the prestigious Elder Hall on Friday 18 January 2019.
To find out more, listen to the podcasts below to hear about life at camp as a composition student. The discussions have each been put together by the Words About Music participants at camp, and each features a young composer providing unique insight into their background in composition, and describing how they put it all into practice at AYO National Music Camp 2019.
Rhys Little
Rhys Little is currently studying composition at Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and has worked with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs. Words About Music participant Stella Joseph-Jarecki sat down with Rhys to discuss how he found himself composing, the challenges of creating music, and his piece Folded Sky.
Tom Misson
Tom Misson is a composer from Tasmania who has had his music played on ABC Classic FM and performed by the Hobart Wind Symphony. Words About Music participant Stella Joseph-Jarecki sat down with Tom to discuss how he found himself composing, the challenges of creating music, and his work Three Pieces for Orchestra.
Josh Winestock
Josh Winestock recently completed his composition studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and is a member of new music group ‘Spiral’. Words About Music participant Stella Joseph-Jarecki sat down with Josh to discuss how he found himself composing, the challenges of creating music, and his piece Long Nights.