Year 10 Moss Vale student Samantha Roberts recently took part in an online course for budding musicians - and the experience was totally HIP.
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In early July, Samantha and dozens of other keen young musicians from across Australia discovered how to play 18th and 19th century music in a Historically Informed Performance style - an attempt to reconstruct the practices of musicians of the past to sound more authentic.
Over two days (July 6 and 7), they took part in the National Online Winter Academy, run by the Australian Romantic and Classical Orchestra as part of their Young Mannheim Symphonists youth orchestra program.
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"It was really lovely!" Samantha said. "We got to listen to talks from professional musicians. [Austrian-Australian conductor] Marius Dobernig talked about reading and understanding an orchestral score; others talked about dealing with performance anxiety, and how to make your playing correct to the Classical period. We also got to see the professional players perform on their historical instruments."
Samantha's favourite part was a private 30-minute lesson with flautist Sally Walker, guest principal flute with the Australian Chamber Orchestra and other top ensembles.
"She was so lovely and talented," Samantha said. "The way that she helped me with my musical phrasing was great."
Samantha has been playing the flute for seven years. She started learning in Year Two; picked it up in Year Four; and has performed in flute exams since Year Five. "I just love the flute," Samantha said. "I love how it sounds, and all the different techniques on it."
Samantha is also a member of the Southern Highlands Concert Band and the Southern Highlands Orchestra. Moss Vale has a few opportunities for young musicians, Samantha said. The high school has an "amazing" piano department, while her music teachers Mr Donaldson and Mrs Johnston have organized a band and flute ensemble at the school. Another music teacher, Edwina Carter, suggested Samantha apply for the youth program.
What Samantha took away most from the course was the experience of working in an orchestra. "Sometimes you forget that your part is part of a bigger thing. It seems like a lot when it's in front of you, but if you take a step back and look at the whole score of the piece, you realise it's part of a giant thing!"
Samantha hopes to be a professional musician one day, perhaps playing her favourite composers Debussy and Philippe Gaubert.
"There is so much you can express through music," Samantha said. "Sometimes it's hard to put emotion into words, but music can express what you're feeling just through sounds. Playing the pieces that you love is the most incredible experience; it's like listening to your favourite song, but you get to create your favourite song. It's wonderful and brings a lot of joy!"