Australian Youth Orchestra Australian Youth Orchestra

Being part of an orchestra at AYO National Music Camp can be both rewarding and exhausting, playing all kinds of new repertoire in a fast-paced environment. We caught up with two participants from camp, tubist Rachel Kelly and cellist, Francesca Masel, who joined us to share their stories from the brass and string sections.

This is an original composition from Sophie Van Dijk, a participant from the composition program at National Music Camp.

The common human experience of hopelessness and despair is reflected in i don’t want it anymore. The work is my contribution to the conversation around mental health and deals with confronting personal battles that we would rather keep hidden. Maintaining a façade is exhausting and isolating. I believe that true human connection occurs when we are vulnerable, and as such I’ve chosen to reveal elements of my experience through this work.

'i don’t want it anymore' explores colour and motion through morphing melodic material and the use of diverse groupings of instrumental timbres. It is characterised by a sense of uncertainty; the persistent stillness threatens to break at any moment. When it does, serenity returns with greater stability, before fading to a conclusive silence.

This piece emerged from darkness; fatigue, anxiety, illness. It is a direct reflection on personal trials and triumphs in recent months. The title i don’t want it anymore expresses a visceral ache for respite. The piece is imbued with a sense of melancholy that resolves to peace, conveying my personal hope for healing.

© Sophie Van Dijk 2020

Sophie Van Dijk is a composer and violinist passionate about writing music to explore elements of faith, society and humanity. She aims to share these things with others, with the ultimate goal of bringing joy and fostering dialogue and community.

Sophie is currently completing her honours year of a Bachelor of Music (Composition) at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Notable commissions include: the Brett Whiteley Gallery, Light Qualities as part of VIVID 2019, Radford College Foundation Day Concert, and Trinity Grammar School where she was the 2019 Composer-in-Residence.

Sophie was selected to participate in the 2017 Coro Innominata Women Composers Development Program, the composers stream of both the 2019 Gondwana National Choral School and 2020 AYO National Music Camp.

We caught up with internationally celebrated conductor Tzelaw Chan to hear his perspective on the Australian music scene, and working with AYO musicians at National Music Camp.

Last month, Momentum Ensemble premiered a newly commissioned work by composer Lachlan Skipworth and photographer Greg Barrett. We caught up with them both on the AYO podcast to discuss their creative process, and working together from a blank canvas.

A unique part of touring overseas is having the opportunity to share Australian music with the rest of the world. Today AYO will perform Sydney-based composer Holly Harrison’s ‘Frumious’ at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing. We caught up with Holly to discover more about the work.

What is the role of an Associate Conductor? We caught up with Daniel Carter to find out more about his role in preparing the orchestra, and the process of passing the baton to the next conductor.