Owen Clarke | Public figure
Owen Clarke
Phone: +61 423 546 275
Reviews
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23.01.2022 Getting the music out of the music..lifting the notes off the page...
23.01.2022 Maybe why I started learning trombone...so I could do this!?
22.01.2022 If you are a brass player or teacher and haven’t seen David Bremner’s blogs or work, then check it out. He is a brilliant brass player bridging orchestral (principal trom NZ Symphony Orchestra) and Brass Band (champion trombonist and conductor) and has down to earth and easy to understand ways of explaining and demonstrating.
22.01.2022 Brilliant. Read this even if you don’t know what is happening in NZ music at the moment (and for context...Radio NZ management announced they would effectively shut down the only classical music radio in NZ in favour of a youth targeted station due to the dwindling elderly demographic and elitist audience...which has provoked a furore including support from former Prime Minister Helen Clark, International opera star Dame Kiri, flash mobs on parliament steps, young people writing to politicians....) Dave Armstrong is a writer and a musician. Love your work Dave. Read for pure entertainment value!
21.01.2022 Great practising advice from the principal trumpet of WASO. Focused, structured and efficient practise...with a goal in mind. This can be applied to students of all levels. Thanks New Zealand Brass Foundation.
20.01.2022 FNQ Bands inaugural concert a success. A couple of conducting pics here within!
16.01.2022 Well. 6 weeks into the new job. And it’s been a whirlwind. Going well though. New name badge, staff concert, senior Band performance, trombone AND violin teaching! More updates soon. Enjoy the photos.
16.01.2022 Here’s a way to keep learning going while in lockdown. Thanks AMEB (Australian Music Education Board) for making these excellent theory courses free of charge. Time to have your student smash out one of their online exams too?
15.01.2022 Vote if you wish. Write Heavenly Sound in the comment section on this link if you like daughter Allegra singing Dona Nobis in the Innisfail Cathedral in Queensland!
15.01.2022 Does funding for music programs afford private schools an academic advantage over public schools? Is there a musical divide?
12.01.2022 I am super excited to be conducting this concert with the RSO and these brilliant musicians, pianist Simon Tedeschi and clarinettist Andy Firth. Rhapsody in Blue + Artie Shaw Clarinet Concerto. Gonna be fun.
11.01.2022 Here’s a nice collaboration with some old friends (I mean..,.not old...longtime!) I had to dress up of course, being the conductor!
11.01.2022 Nice to tackle this classic in the wind band rep with FNQ Concert Band at last night's rehearsal. Holst Suite No. 1 has some beautiful writing, particularly for woodwind. Working towards a concert mid September.
08.01.2022 So what do my Australian friends think about this...if ABC Classic were suddenly pulled from the air (well delegated to AM with no announcers and turned into a ...glorified tinny sounding Spotify stream?) This is what is happening in NZ where our only radio station of classical (and jazz) is being thrown on the (s)crap heap in light of its supposedly (a bad thing) older listenership, to make way for a newer station catering for 18 to 35 year olds (entering an already busy market no doubt.) It makes me wonder...as Allegra and I enjoy the calming music of ABCClassic on our drive to school each morning., as I speak to year 5 parents (last night) about the joy, challenges and benefits their child will gain from learning an instrument whether it be for 6 months or 6 years, and the world which will be opened up to them, or the enthusiasm I receive from the 100 or so year 11 and 12 students who are chaffing at the bit to play some challenging and inspiring classical music in the school’s ensemble programme whether vocal, string or band! Thousands of Aussie kids love classical music. I see it from the surge in numbers involved in Creative Generations, the excitement of those involved in Fanfare, the standard of the Queensland and Australian Youth Orchestras and the uptake of Instrumental music in State and private schools. The flourishing choirs of Gondwana, the numerous Eisteddfods large and small and the ever growing awareness of the benefit of leaning an instrument enhanced by the work of Dr Anita Collins and others. Do they all listen to ABC Classic? Probably not all the time, but a some stage or their life they will, and they will be aware of the station’s value and presence, and how it subtly enhances the culture, knowledge and understanding of society as a whole. Maybe one of their performances will be recorded and broadcast, maybe they will participate in the New national chamber music competition in Australia and be inspired by hearing a professional quartet, or maybe they will listen to Australian music played by an Australian orchestra... which is frequent on ABC Classic. Or perhaps, just as Allegra says, the music she hears on ABC Classic FM simply makes her happy. So, again, what do you think Australian friends?
07.01.2022 Week one at new job! Wow, lots to do, but feel good to be part of a lovely team in a vibrant and exciting music department. Today saw the demonstrations and instrument tryouts for 100 year 5 kids. From next Friday they start their band programme receiving lessons and band sessions during the school day. Good on the school for supporting such a programme (with a similar one in year 3 for strings). It lasts a semester and provides, for free, the valuable experience of music lessons and ensemble playing for all the year 5 students. Very cool.
05.01.2022 We're so excited for our open concert band rehearsal this week! If you're interested, contact us at [email protected]
04.01.2022 Settling in. Had a fabulous 3rd day today at my new work place All Saints Anglican School; PD day with all (30+) part and full time music teaching staff. Great to meet the instrumental teachers I get to work with as Head of Bands. Kids start next week, lessons and ensembles the week after! Woo hoo. Let’s go.
02.01.2022 Yesterday Kellie and I held a lovely concert with some of our private studio students performing solos, duets, trios and even a Star Wars inspired grand finale! Well done to all congrats on a productive year.
01.01.2022 Ready for rehearsal! Two band rehearsals today in my fab new job. Year 6 and Year 7 bands today and auditions for the senior band all week. Y 5 Band kids find out the instrument they nominated (and tested for) tomorrow and their in-class-time programme starts on Friday. It was woodwind brass and percussion all the way today! And yes, my cool Royal Marine Band ice bucket is now used as a pencil holder.
