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Speaking on the phone from England she says, ‘The thing that makes it all worthwhile is the location and the music. On my first trip to Townsville I was bowled over by Piers – he is one of the warmest people and has brought together a fantastic group of musicians. It’s fun to observe colleagues working together who might not otherwise do so. If I need a breather, I can walk along the sea front … it’s a gorgeous combination. I go to plenty of festivals and often don’t want to go back. Spending two weeks in exotic, warm conditions with a cultivated, enthusiastic audience that’s unusually receptive to repertoire off the beaten track is a treat. It’s a lovely sense of coming together.’
‘AFCM performers need to be able to handle risk because they are sorted into many different combinations of players to cover the extraordinary range in repertoire, and there are often only two rehearsals to get something polished, which really isn’t much time for a group of players to build rapport. I think that Piers is good at knowing who to put with whom so that these ad hoc groups get along. It’s about communication, not just about compatible personalities but bringing together people who speak the same musical language. I’ve been in the odd situation – not in Queensland – where you don’t want to ever repeat the experience.’
Contributors welcome the opportunity to make new connections and to experience someone else’s musical world. Violinist Jack Liebeck specially appreciates the outdoor concert settings, a whole lot trickier in England. One alfresco special involves flautist Lorna MgGhee, didgeridoo master William Barton and percussionist Timothy Constable presenting European and traditional African music on Magnetic Island’s Alma Beach ...
For more information visit www.afcm.com.au
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