newsletter

Number 11 December 2014

L-R: Corinne Cowling (winner), Amy Yarham, Carly Power, Claire Condipodero (runner-up), Bonnie de la Hunty (runner-up).

EVELYN AND RALPH THOMPSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP 2014

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From ASP President Dr Harry Cohen

Dear members and friends

Welcome to our final newsletter for 2014.

I look back on the year- and indeed the past 24 years - with great pleasure and satisfaction. Although only a

small and entirely voluntary organisation, we continue to play an important role in bringing art song to Perth

audiences. We’re especially proud of the support and encouragement we give to young artists—through

performance opportunities, and of course, the Evelyn and Ralph Thompson Memorial Scholarship.

Our 25th anniversary year promises to be an exciting one, opening with a champagne recital on 28 March with

much loved tenor Aldo Di Toro and soprano Stephanie Gooch, and finishing on 15 August with a very special

evening with soprano Sara Macliver and mezzo-soprano Sally-Anne Russell.

This is a great milestone for Art Song Perth and I would like to acknowledge especially founding members Jill

Sullivan and Allison Fyfe for their vision in establishing this truly wonderful organisation.

There are many on whom we depend for their generous support and assistance, but I wish to extend special

thanks to Father Ryan Green and the Anglican Parish of Swanbourne - Mt

Claremont for the use of their wonderful venue and facilities; Eddy Eau

and the team at Square18.com for the design and maintenance of our

website; and Nigel Penfold, for the auditing of our accounts.

I would also like to thank all the wonderful artists who have performed

for us throughout the years, and you, our members and friends.

On behalf of the Art Song Perth Committee, I wish you a happy and safe

festive season, and look forward to celebrating with you in 2015.

Dr Harry Cohen

President

25th anniversary scholarship

To mark Art Song Perth’s 25th anniversary year, entry conditions for the 2015 Evelyn and Ralph Thompson

Memorial Scholarship will be modified, and the prize pool increased. These changes will apply to 2015

only.

In order to give more performers the opportunity to compete, the requirement to have performed previously

for Art Song Perth will be waived and the Scholarship made an open competition.

The prize pool will be as follows:

$3,000 for the winner;

$1,500 for the runner up;

$500 for the Anne Watson Encouragement Award;

an additional Silver Anniversary Award of $250.

We’re also delighted to announce that soprano Sara Macliver will chair the adjudication panel.

Further details regarding the application process will be available in

2015.

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Merlyn Quaife and Graham Johnson patrons of Art Song Perth

Art Song Perth is delighted and honoured that acclaimed soprano Merlyn

Quaife and accompanist Graham Johnson have joined founding patron

Emeritus Professor David Tunley as patrons of Art Song Perth.

Merlyn Quaife has performed in opera, oratorio, lieder and chamber

music to acclaim throughout Australia and Europe.

Currently Associate Professor at the Sir Zelman Cowan School of Music,

Monash University where she is Co-ordinator of Voice, Merlyn also has a

busy performing schedule. Among other things, she is a member of

'Songmakers Australia', a Melbourne-based group specialising in art song

repertoire and inspired by Graham Johnson's 'Songmakers Almanac.'

Merlyn has had many works composed for and dedicated to her. Many

will remember Fortune My Foe composed by Roger Heagney to poems by

Graeme Ellis performed by Merlyn and her associate artist, Andrea Katz

in February 2012 at Loreto College, Nedlands, to raise funds and

awareness for ACRATH who assist victims of human trafficking.

In 2013 she was awarded an Officer in the Order of Australia in the

Queen’s birthday honors for her services to music.

British-based pianist and Lieder accompanist Graham Johnson is

Senior Professor of Accompaniment at the Guildhall School of Music and

Drama. He is internationally acclaimed for his performances and

recordings of art song repertoire as well as for his scholarship.

Graham is particularly noted for his commercial recordings of Lieder,

most notably for the Hyperion label. His single largest and most

renowned project for Hyperion was a series of 37 CDs of the complete

Lieder of Franz Schubert.

In April 2013 Graham Johnson was awarded the Wigmore Hall Medal "in

recognition of his unstinting championing of Song and his extraordinary

achievements on the concert platform and in the recording studio."

Graham was the Master Teacher for the inaugural WAAPA International

Art Song Festival held in July 2014.

Founding patron Emeritus Professor David Tunley has been unstinting

in his support of Art Song Perth since its inception. David is a musicologist

and composer noted for his work on French music in the 17th and 18th

centuries. He was trained initially as a pianist at the Sydney

Conservatorium of Music, but after being appointed as Lecturer in Music

at the University of Western Australia in 1958, turned his energies more

towards choral conducting, composition and research.

It has been musicology that established his international reputation with

the publication of numerous books and journal articles, including

contributions to The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians and

the New Oxford History of Music. He has taken up research fellowships at

Oxford and the Rockefeller Foundation at Bellagio in Italy. He was eventually appointed to a Personal Chair before moving to the

Chair of Music after the retirement of Sir Frank Callaway. He is now an

Honorary Senior Research Fellow in Music at UWA.

Merlyn Quaife

Graham Johnson

David Tunley

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Corinne Cowling wins Evelyn and Ralph Thompson Scholarship 2014

Our 2014 season ended with the annual Evelyn and Ralph Thompson

Memorial Scholarship competition. Five excellent young singers -

sopranos Bonnie de la Hunty, Claire Condipodero, Corinne Cowling

and Carly Power, and mezzo-soprano Amy Yarham - presented a

challenging programme ranging from early 17th century to

contemporary repertoire. The hardworking associate artists were

pianists Marilyn Phillips and Lochlan Brown.

Adjudicators Emma Jayakumar (Chair), Liz Pascoe and David Dockery

had the difficult task of selecting a winner from such an accomplished

line-up.

Following much deliberation, Corinne Cowling was declared winner,

with Bonnie de la Hunty and Claire Condipodero joint runners up.

A minor disappointment was the absence of male singers, a point

remarked upon by Art Song Perth Patron Emeritus Professor David

Tunley when presenting the prizes.

Corinne graduated from WAAPA with a Bachelor of Music (Classical

Voice) in 2013 and is currently undertaking post graduate studies with Patricia Price.

In 2013, she was awarded the 2013 inaugural Dame Mary Gilmore Award for the most promising overall final

year female student.

In August, Corinne was one of five finalists chosen for this year’s International Foundation for Arts and Culture

(IFAC) Australian Singing Competition, held at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Among other prizes, she

was presented with the Guildhall School of Music and Drama Award which provides fees for one year’s post-

graduate study at the Guildhall School on London.

As preparation for her year of study, Corinne travelled to London in November for consultations and vocal

coaching with Yvonne Kenny, Graham Johnson and other coaches at the Guildhall School.

Bonnie has completed a Bachelor of Music and Graduate Diploma of Music at WAAPA, and hopes to begin a

two-year Masters course in September 2015. To this end she will travel to London in December to audition for

Masters programmes at the Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and Royal College

of Music.

Claire also plans to apply and audition for

post graduate opera programmes and

summer schools in Europe and the USA with a

view to pursuing further studies in 2016. In

the meantime she will continue to focus on

her vocal studies and further development of

vocal technique and operatic repertoire

through continuation of weekly singing

lessons and vocal coaching. She would also

like to travel to the eastern states to compete

in competitions and have vocal coaching and

lessons with prominent coaches and teachers.

We wish Corinne, Claire, Bonnie and all

applicants every success in their careers and

look forward to following their progress.

L-R: Adjudicators Emma Jayakumar (Chair), David Dockery and Liz Pascoe.

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2015 Art Song Perth celebrates 25 years

Once upon a time, in 1990 to be precise, three singers who loved the art form that is known as Art Song

thought it would be a good idea to get together with other like-minded musicians, and form a group dedicated

to the promotion and performance of the genre. Jill Sullivan, Ron Macqueen and Allison Fyfe debated long and

hard. Enthusiasm alone wasn’t enough - a plan was required. Gradually the plan took shape.

The next thing was finance – as we know, most musicians exist on the smell of an oily rag, but the three

singers felt it was essential that performers who sang and played for what was called The Lieder Society of WA

should be paid. Forming an ‘Incorporated’ group required funds, and at a worrying time in the financial

planning, Chris Fyfe, father of Allison, donated a sum to cover an essential part of the process, and the trio, like

excited fillies, were off!

The first performance of The Lieder Society of WA was held at the home of Stanley Parkinson in Nedlands. The

performers were soprano Emma Matthews (then Lysons), mezzo-soprano Anne Millar, baritone Andrew Foote,

baritone John Browne, violinist Paul Wright, and pianist Mark Coughlan. Emma the pet kangaroo was also

present.

Professor Harry Cohen was invited to be President of the organisation, a post which he holds to this day. Long

may you continue Harry!

Twenty five years later the Society continues to thrive. To mark the occasion Artistic Director Marilyn Phillips

has planned an exciting programme, with a great line-up of well-known and loved guest artists including tenor

Aldo Di Toro, soprano Sara Macliver and mezzo-soprano Sally-Anne Russell. Come and join us for what

promises to be a sparkling year!

2015 RECITAL SERIES

Saturday 28 March at 7:30pm

Sunday 10 May at 3:00pm

Sunday 12 July at 3:00pm

Saturday 15 August at 7:30pm

Evelyn and Ralph Thompson Memorial Scholarship

Saturday 24 October at 7:00pm

Venue The Church of the Resurrection 105 Shenton Road Swanbourne

Tickets Members $20 Standard $30 | Concession $25 | Student $15

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The secret life of Leah Guelfi In October this year at Ellington’s Jazz Club, the Oz Big

Band played a great night of Basie music – helping to

celebrate the 110th anniversary of "Count" Basie's

birth.

Making an appearance at the Ellington with Oz Band

was the talented Leah Guelfi who in a short space of

time has established herself as one of the must-hear

big band vocalists in Perth. Oz Big Band is Perth's

premiere swing band and is one of the favourite

bands among the swing dance community. Leah has

been singing with the Band for three years now and

has been the lead singer for two.

“It all began with them wanting a female singer to

sing Goldfinger...I must have made a good impression,

because now I front the band and sing tunes made

popular by artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah

Washington, Peggy Lee and Diane Schuur.“

The Band performs regularly at the Mustang Bar in

Northbridge and at various places around Perth

including the Ellington Jazz Club, Northbridge Piazza,

and Perth Town Hall. It has been invited back to

Melbourne for the second year in a row to perform

for the "Melbourne Lindy Exchange", an event which

brings together lovers of vernacular jazz dance from around Australia and the world. Leah and the Oz Big Band

will be heading there at the end of November to perform at the biggest event of the weekend which is the ball

at RMIT’s Storey Hall in the heart of Melbourne.

“Although I love classical singing and opera, this music speaks to me best and nothing beats the feeling of

singing with a high-powered 18 piece ensemble that swings very hard and fast! The opportunities I have been

given with this band have been unbelievable and I plan to keep developing my skills and knowledge of this

exciting genre of music.“

Leah looked stunning in sparkly black, a thirties-style swept up hair-do, and sang like a veteran of the era!

The club was sold out, and we just thought you’d like to know the other side of one of our Committee

members!

I really enjoyed my appearance with Art Song Perth this year. It was very special

to be performing as part of my Evelyn and Ralph Thompson Scholarship. It was

especially interesting to jump into new Russian repertoire with Tommaso and a

fantastic opportunity to perform those pieces to such a warm and friendly

audience.

My studies at Mannes College in NYC are going very well! I have been accepted

into the Mannes Opera program and will be performing roles in the

forthcoming December double-bill of Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi

(Puccini).

It has been so exciting to arrive in NYC and really hit the ground running...

school is so busy!!

From 2013 ERTS winner Isabelle Freeman

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Corinne Cowling

Throughout my studies at WAAPA, Art Song Perth gave me the opportunity to observe other singers in Perth

and emerging artists perform beautiful art song repertoire that I would

not have had the chance to hear otherwise.

This year I was so grateful to Marilyn Phillips for giving me the opportunity

to get up there myself and share some beautiful and rarely heard songs by

composers associated with World War I. The experience not only

broadened my knowledge of that time period but it gave me the chance

to explore music that pushed my boundaries of expression and technical

abilities. I loved the experience of working with professionals in the music

industry and performing for such a supportive audience.

Being a part of the Art Song Perth Recital Series allowed me to apply for

the Evelyn and Ralph Thompson Memorial Scholarship, where I received

first place. My experience with Art Song Perth this year has been an

incredibly rewarding one and I am so grateful to this society for

supporting young artists like myself and giving them the opportunity to

perform and work alongside professionals as well as perform for such a

wonderfully supportive audience.

Ileana Otto-Johansen

My appearance at ASP was my first sing in

WA and certainly a positive experience.

Art songs are my favourite genre in classical music

and it was a pleasure to perform, share them with

those who appreciate them.

Thanks to Marilyn for her wonderful skills on the

piano.

Christina The

Excited to have performed in the ASP this year!

Love the new venue and what a lovely audience.

Such a great interval from daily motherhood routine!

Up next, I hope to showcase an Australian premiere of

Indonesian Art Songs next year at ASP- a hidden wealth

of songs yet unveiled, all delightful.

Emma Pettemerides

Art Song Perth offers singers in Perth a fantastic

opportunity to perform song cycles in a beautiful setting.

It really brings together local artists and showcases Perth

talent.

Kristin Bowtell

The Art Song Perth concert in March was a joy for me as a performer - a full

house, an enthusiastic audience, excellent fellow musicians to perform with and a

really delightful selection of songs. Thanks ASP for continuing to support local

singers and the art form itself!

From our performers

Clockwise from above: Corinne Cowling, Ileana Otto-Johansen, Christina The, Emma Pettemerides, Kristin Bowtell.

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ART SONG PERTH Postal: PO Box 73 North Fremantle WA 6159 | Telephone: 9339 8781 Email: secretary.artsongperth@gmail.com | http://www.artsongperth.org.au Join us on facebook.com/artsongperth | Follow us on Twitter @ArtSongPerth

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SEASON’S GREETINGS

The Committee of Art Song Perth

wishes you a happy and

safe festive season.

A reminder that membership subscriptions for 2015 are now due.

Art Song Perth remains the only organisation in WA offering a regular recital series devoted

exclusively to art song. It has been doing so for nearly 25 years. But like all arts organisations, our

major challenge is funding. We receive no external funding, and rely instead for our income on a

strong membership base as well as ticket sales.

By becoming a member of Art Song Perth, you assist us to present our annual recital series, providing

young artists with the opportunity to explore and perform the art song repertoire . And of course,

you also contribute to the Evelyn and Ralph Thompson Memorial Scholarship.

Aside from the satisfaction of supporting musical life in WA, members of Art Song Perth receive:

Tickets to recitals at concession prices (members pay $20 compared with $30 for non-

members)

Priority booking for special events

To become a member print the membership application form available online at http://

www.artsongperth.org.au/membership.html and forward with payment to:

The Secretary

Art Song Perth

PO Box 73

North Fremantle WA 6159

Or complete the online form at http://www.artsongperth.org.au/membership.html . No postage

required!

Membership fees: Single $30 | Double $50 | Concession $15