Welcome to 2010!

I didn't get the chance to post a wrap up to 2009, but at the same time I am delighted to have a fresh start for 2010. A fresh start, in particular, for this blog. My New Year's Resolution for 2010 is to post more here, including providing insight and my own thoughts towards technique in music tuition, performance practice, composition, and analysis.

As music tutors we should have nothing to hide. I feel it is something that has become a recurring practice, I feel, in this region. On the other hand, we are getting more professional musicians involved in the region to help ignite the determination and persistance for the craft of music. As one of the modern hymns says; "It only takes a spark to get a fire going."

2009 was the real launch pad for my teaching career, and I think the results spoke for themselves.

- Selection was gained once again for regional band camps, and I am happy to announce I have been invited back to teach again (the only region not to offer just yet is the home region of North Coast).

- Students from Grafton and Coffs Harbour have been incredible, including a good number of these achieving personal milestones with AMEB exam results, ensemble performance opportunities, and public performance opportunities in musical and dramatic prouctions.

- 2009 welcomed an invitation to tutor clarinet and saxophone at Bellingen High School, and the students have been tremendous. There was so much that could be achieved, and the students have discovered this and really taken it upon themselves to develop and further their musical journeys. Students gained selection in the combined schools state wind band, and even went further on to positions in the Schools Spectacular orchestra. Now I have been asked to develop students further from a grass roots level in the primary school, something that every music tutor should be keen to work with. No sarcasm whatsoever.

What to expect in 2010

- More updates, personal thoughts, and helpful hints to be provided through this blog.

- Invitations to regional band camps around NSW as part of the state band program.

- The clarinet choir from the Clarence Valley Conservatorium has been invited to be the representative ensemble in Sydney at a convention for the NSW regional conservatoriums. It is yet to be confirmed, but this ensemble may receive a name of its own.

- A trip to New Zealand with the Newcastle Conservatorium Wind Orchestra for the Aurora Music Festival. Emelia and I are both looking forward to the trip.

- More compositions to be completed. In progress currently are a clarinet work, double concertino for alto and bari sax, and the most challenging work yet (for me to compose) for soprano, clarinet, and vibraphone exploring the matter of sound and how it is, and can be, manipulated.

- Commencement on an L.Mus program for 2011.

- To further develop my students as musicians, and for them to branch out further for musical, teaching, and personal opportunities of their own.

And there will be much more!


Welcome to 2010. A new year, a new decade, a new opportunity.