The West Australian Symphony Orchestra’s assistant conductor is taking centre stage with some big gigs of his own.
So, what exactly does an assistant conductor do? I'm at all the rehearsals, I sit in the hall, I take notes – because when you're the conductor, it can get quite difficult to hear what's actually happening, and in the hall it can be a completely different sound to what you hear on stage. It's a different pair of ears. And every hall is different.
You stepped into the chief conductor role for WASO's ANZAC concert. Was that nerve-wracking? I was more excited than nervous! It's a really special concert. It was great to be able to share the event with the orchestra – I know them really well, and when I get in front of them it's always really fun.
It's a lot of responsibility, though! Oh yeah. Especially being Australian, doing something as significant as this concert. It wasn't just a normal concert.
Straight after the ANZAC concert you headed to Sydney to conduct the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. What was that like? They're a new orchestra to me – I'd only conducted them once previously – but they're such a lovely bunch. After that experience I knew that the concerts were going to go smoothly.
What's different between WASO and SSO? Every orchestra in Australia is different. They all have their unique kind of way they play. The good thing I've found about them is that they're always very willing to work, always very open-minded, which is great.
What do you want to do, long-term? As many concerts as possible. I'm so fortunate to have been able to conduct WASO as much as I have. For any musician or any conductor, it's a tough industry to be part of, so the goal is to work as much as possible.
Classical Music Music