Playing for the future

by Celia Hevesi

For many young musicians the gap between playing music as a hobby and taking it up as a profession can be huge. Youth Music Australia has helped bridge that gap by providing opportunities for young musicians to develop their skills for more than 50 years with a comprehensive approach to excellence in music training and performance.

'One of our missions is to assist young musicians, aged 12-25, on the pathway from their education into employment. We do that by giving a variety of high level musical experiences through our programs-the two cores activities being the National Music Camp and the Australian Youth Orchestra,' said Tony Grybowski, General Manager of Youth Music Australia.

'In recent years, with Commonwealth Government funding, we've been able to expand both of those activities and offer a range of other activities which compliment the traditional training, by filling in the gaps and giving students those extra opportunities which they're not getting elsewhere.'

'These programs are unique because students are working with their peers at a very high level right across the country. There are lots of youth orchestras and tertiary activities happening at a State level-but this is, I suppose, a heightened musical experience because it's the very best from each State coming together to work together.'

The organisation began with the National Music Camp in 1948 and the Australian Youth Orchestra was born ten years later. The programs offered by Youth Music Australia include:

• National Music Camp - Australia's premier experience for young musicians, with three orchestras, a chamber choir and specialist courses;
• Australian Youth Orchestra - this internationally acclaimed orchestra meets annually for national and overseas tours;
• Australian Youth Orchestra Camerata - a chamber orchestra of the highest calibre;
• New Music Now - programs concentrating on the cutting edge of contemporary music; and
• Fellowship Programs - training programs for young instrumentalists, arts administrators and journalists preparing for a career in music.

'I think that Youth Music Australia has been extremely successful in bridging the gap towards a professional career in music. You just have to look around at the professional orchestras we have across the country and many of the musicians have been in the National Music Camp, the Australian Youth Orchestra or our other programs,' Grybowski said.

'As David Peirera - the Australian celloist - said at a recent awards ceremony, his first experience of knowing that he really wanted to be a professional musician was at a National Music Camp. So for many it galvanises their interest in an area and says "wow this is a great experience and I would like to pursue this further".'

For the past few months Grybowski has been visiting all the tertiary institutions around the country telling teachers and students about Youth Music Australia's activities in 2000.

'A lot of people are aware of us but I think they're not aware of the full gamut and the range of opportunities that we do offer.'

One of the highlights in the 2000 program is the organisation's flagship - the Australian Youth Orchestra's season at the Festival of Perth in January and a tour of the Eastern States later in the year.

'But the absolute highlight is Pinkas Zuckerman, the world renowned international violinist, coming to work as soloist with the orchestra in those five concerts in August.

'He is a unique man in the world of music and for him to be performing a Beethoven concerto with the orchestra and undertaking a series of masterclasses and lessons really will be a life-changing experience for those musicians.'

'That's what we're all about - giving that extra opportunity and really making a difference in musicians' education and experience.'

The Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts provides funding to Youth Music Australia.

Contact
Tony Grybowski, Youth Music Australia on 02 9283 7216

Sounds In Time

Earlier this year, Youth Music Australia piloted a program called Sounds In Time. Its aim was to develop the skills base of young musicians in regional areas, while providing the Youth Music Australia participants with a valuable insight into chamber ensemble performance and music education. The five brass musicians chosen for the program were Peter Miller, Trumpet; Tristram Williams, Trumpet; Katherine Sutcliffe, French Horn; Roslyn Jorgensen, Trombone and Gary McGibbon, Tuba. They spent a few days in Sydney rehearsing and putting together a concert program. 'We were lucky to work with Ron Prussing, Principal Trombonist, and Peter Walmsley, Trumpet, of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra who gave us a lot of help with our own rehearsals,' said Roslyn Jorgensen. The quintet, along with their mentors, then went on tour to Orange for a weekend to work with the young brass players in the Brass Education Program. 'A large brass ensemble rehearsal had been organised-which was great for the students as they could play with some more experienced musicians. We also had some tutorial sessions with the students working on some of the music that we had brought with us. 'During the weekend we also did a concert performance with Peter and Ron, which was a fantastic experience for us as a quintet.' The following weekend the quintet travelled to Canberra to participate in the Chamber Music Festival. The quintet is due back in Orange in August. 'We left some music with the kids for them to learn so we could all play in a combined concert,' said Jorgensen. 'This whole experience was really close to home for me because I come from a rural background. So I know that it's more difficult to gain access to these opportunities. It was great for me to put back something into a community like that and say "hey, some of us are from very similar backgrounds to you and we still made it to this level - you can do it too".' The Sounds In Time program has been expanded and is now called Young Australian Concert Artist. Next year, 16 young string players will be selected to form four string quartets which will undertake two periods of residency in regional centres in New South Wales and Victoria. Jorgensen is no stranger to the benefits of being able to listen to, rehearse with and learn from her mentors. Last year as part of Youth Music Australia's Orchestral Scholarship Program she, and a group of other students, went to Hobart to spend ten days with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. 'We were each given a mentor on our arrival - I was working with John Bate, the Principal Trumbonist - and sat in and listened to the Orchestra's rehearsals and performances. We had to prepare excerpts and play in front of a professional panel who gave us feedback - which was an amazing experience for me. 'We spent a lot of time in seminars and discussions, talking about the profession and where we were all going and what we planned to do with our musical careers. 'As a musician the future is really uncertain but if you really are a musician, love what you're doing and music is an important part of your life then you accept that uncertainty and always know that the music will lead you somewhere.' Jorgensen is currently studying for a Masters degree at the Sydney Conservatorium.