 | So, it's been a while, and I don't have any exciting stories of distant travels... However this year has just taken off!! So much stuff! And It's all great!! I'm so fortunate to be surrounded by such great people who are willing to get in and get involved in some really exciting stuff - and it seems to be all happening at once?! Not complaining for a second, but my juggling skills have certainly been put to the test these past few months - balancing commitments with a range of different projects in vastly different domains and styles. |
2014 - Recap
So the rest of 2014 was pretty phenomenal - Lots of great gigs with Translucent Duo, the Hot Potato Band and Citizen of the World (sure felt good to be playing with all of them again!). However there were a few highlights I would love to share!
I got to play in the orchestra for Squabbalogic Independent Music Theatre's production of "Sondheim on Sondheim" at the Reginald Theatre, Seymour Centre. A phenomenal show with an even more phenomenal cast! So privileged to have been a part of this production!
I was also invited to play as part of the "Carols by Cabaret" held at the Hayes Theatre (my first Hayes gig!) with joint MD-ing by Steven Kreamer (Wooden Horse: Love Bites) and Andrew Warboys (Luckiest Productions: Sweet Charity), Again, such a prevelige to work with such great musicians and wonderful performers including Nancy Hayes!? (They were all fantastic, but come on... It's her theatre?!)
I got to play in the orchestra for Squabbalogic Independent Music Theatre's production of "Sondheim on Sondheim" at the Reginald Theatre, Seymour Centre. A phenomenal show with an even more phenomenal cast! So privileged to have been a part of this production!
I was also invited to play as part of the "Carols by Cabaret" held at the Hayes Theatre (my first Hayes gig!) with joint MD-ing by Steven Kreamer (Wooden Horse: Love Bites) and Andrew Warboys (Luckiest Productions: Sweet Charity), Again, such a prevelige to work with such great musicians and wonderful performers including Nancy Hayes!? (They were all fantastic, but come on... It's her theatre?!)
And probably the biggest highlight of 2014 (and my career so far) was playing as part of the International Orchestra in the "Christmas at the House" Series which boasted the talent Eddie Perfect, Emma Pask and Rachel Beck in the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall (my first professional Opera House gig)! I was also fortunate enough to play under the Baton of Brian Castles Onion (Opera Australia) and play amongst some of the finest musicians that Australia has to offer! An absolutely phenomenal experience that I am genuinely hoping will be the first of many more to come!
Translucent duo
Okay, so first off is Translucent Duo! 2015 is shaping up to be a really exciting year for us, with a few projects currently underway -
At the beginning of the year, the duo received its second dedicated work - "Smoke and Mirrors" Written by the wonderful Australian composer and academic Diana Blom. We are looking to officially premiere this work in a couple of months at a venue TBC.
The duo have also just come back from their latest In Sync Tour - This time around the New England region. We got a fantastic response from the school workshops and concerts and the tour's concluding concert at Tamworth Regional Conservatorium as part of their Professional Artists' concert series was exceptionally well received. These tours give the duo the opportunity to air some new repertoire, both solo and duo, as well as expose these communities to a completely unique and new type of performance they probably haven't been exposed to!
To coincide with the tour we also launched a Pozible campaign to fund 3 new commissions and the recording of the Translucent Duo's first album! We are looking to work with 3 relatively fresh faced composers in the new music scene (as we are a relatively fresh faced ensemble!) to compose some new, exciting music. The pieces are:
Marimba + Saxophone x2 with special Guest Dr. Michael Duke
Composed by Alex Chilvers
Saxophone + Marimba + Electronic Medium
Composed by Danielle Barry
DOUBLE CONCERTO for Saxophone and Marimba
Composed by Steven Kreamer
The other part of the campaign is recording - giving the duo the financial platform to release their first album - which will include 2 of the new compositions as well as the other works previously commissioned by the duo!
At the beginning of the year, the duo received its second dedicated work - "Smoke and Mirrors" Written by the wonderful Australian composer and academic Diana Blom. We are looking to officially premiere this work in a couple of months at a venue TBC.
The duo have also just come back from their latest In Sync Tour - This time around the New England region. We got a fantastic response from the school workshops and concerts and the tour's concluding concert at Tamworth Regional Conservatorium as part of their Professional Artists' concert series was exceptionally well received. These tours give the duo the opportunity to air some new repertoire, both solo and duo, as well as expose these communities to a completely unique and new type of performance they probably haven't been exposed to!
To coincide with the tour we also launched a Pozible campaign to fund 3 new commissions and the recording of the Translucent Duo's first album! We are looking to work with 3 relatively fresh faced composers in the new music scene (as we are a relatively fresh faced ensemble!) to compose some new, exciting music. The pieces are:
Marimba + Saxophone x2 with special Guest Dr. Michael Duke
Composed by Alex Chilvers
Saxophone + Marimba + Electronic Medium
Composed by Danielle Barry
DOUBLE CONCERTO for Saxophone and Marimba
Composed by Steven Kreamer
The other part of the campaign is recording - giving the duo the financial platform to release their first album - which will include 2 of the new compositions as well as the other works previously commissioned by the duo!
Merrily We roll Along
The next exciting thing happening this year is my first MD gig! I will be musical director for Riverside Lyric Ensemble's production of the fantastic music Merrily we Roll Along!
This has been an incredible experience so far! We have only given ourselves an 8 week rehearsal period, so it has been hectic to say the least! But with such a fantastic team to work with and a great cast taking the stage, could not be more excited about this production!
Tickets are on sale now?! and only $35 until the end of May, so get in early!! Incredibe music, hot band, great production and technical team and wonderfully talented cast!? And my first gig as MD (I may or may not have a cheeky cameo on stage....)
This has been an incredible experience so far! We have only given ourselves an 8 week rehearsal period, so it has been hectic to say the least! But with such a fantastic team to work with and a great cast taking the stage, could not be more excited about this production!
Tickets are on sale now?! and only $35 until the end of May, so get in early!! Incredibe music, hot band, great production and technical team and wonderfully talented cast!? And my first gig as MD (I may or may not have a cheeky cameo on stage....)
Hot Potato Band
So the "Spuds" have been busy as always! Have some incredible opportunities with this great group over the past few years and it's just getting bigger and better.
Hot Potato have now got a stage show!! And we have a tour which kicked off last Saturday at the Brass Monkey in Cronula - and there is no better feeling that starting a tour to a sold out room!! The next 2 performances coming up for this stage project are in Bulli and in Marrickville! Come along for a night of high energy entertainment and an all round good time! This is, of course, on top of the events, fares, festivals and functions we already play at!!
As well as the stage project, Hot Potato also released a music video!? A cover of Chet Faker's tune Talk is Cheap. Such a fun night of filming with such a great group of guys! Check it out!!
Hot Potato have now got a stage show!! And we have a tour which kicked off last Saturday at the Brass Monkey in Cronula - and there is no better feeling that starting a tour to a sold out room!! The next 2 performances coming up for this stage project are in Bulli and in Marrickville! Come along for a night of high energy entertainment and an all round good time! This is, of course, on top of the events, fares, festivals and functions we already play at!!
As well as the stage project, Hot Potato also released a music video!? A cover of Chet Faker's tune Talk is Cheap. Such a fun night of filming with such a great group of guys! Check it out!!
Memories or Cleo and Johnny
So I have delved into the world of Cabaret!? With my Marvellous collaborator Melody Beck, we have created a jazz/cabaret tribute show to English Jazz Legends Cleo Laine and John Dankworth! We did a 20min preview of the show in April, and are planning to put the show the jazz festivals, cabaret festivals and other avenues that may appreciate it!
Here's the tune from the show - John and Cleo's wonderful version of It Don't Mean a Thing! Full preview coming soon!
Here's the tune from the show - John and Cleo's wonderful version of It Don't Mean a Thing! Full preview coming soon!
Citizen of the World
Unfortunately my time with this great group has had to draw to a close, but not without a final bang!
Earlier this year - Citizen of the world shot a music video. But not just any music video?! we had a remote control couch on Coogee Promenade!?!? Such a fun time!! Stay tuned for the release!
But in the meantime, check out the video we shot last year - City of Million Lives
Earlier this year - Citizen of the world shot a music video. But not just any music video?! we had a remote control couch on Coogee Promenade!?!? Such a fun time!! Stay tuned for the release!
But in the meantime, check out the video we shot last year - City of Million Lives
2015
So in summary!? it'sS
RSS Feed
