Master Class for Young Accompanists August 2014
Words by Juanita Simmonds
On a Saturday afternoon in Brisbane, seven school-aged musicians took a turn at the piano to perform and rehearse live with a professional flautist in a Masterclass organised by the Accompanists Guild of Queensland.
The participants, aged between 12 and 18, are currently studying solo piano but have an interest in making music with others as piano accompanists or associate artists.
The soloist and instructor in this Masterclass was Mrs Janine Grantham, known in Queensland as an orchestral flautist, teacher and AMEB Senior Examiner with many years experience.
The event was open to members of the public, accompanists, and parents of the participants. The audience observed Janine encouraging and shaping the musical ensemble. She provided tips on how to work with a flute soloist on issues such as intonation, timing and entries in repertoire as varied as Schumann, Faure and “Blues at Eleven”.
Accompaniment masterclasses and workshops often are run by pianists and can tend to focus ultimately on piano technique. This Masterclass was innovative in being facilitated by a soloist who can advise the pianist on typical balance problems with their solo instrument while helping to bring the duo together in an artistic and musically satisfying way.
The session was organised by the Accompanists’ Guild of Queensland in response to interest from young pianists wanting to develop their skills of accompaniment. President of the Guild, Mr Regis Danillon, said that the participants were keen and engaged with Mrs Grantham’s instruction and music making.
“The first accompaniment Masterclass was held in 2013 and was quite successful so we ran it again this year. I think there is enough of a demand to continue this as a regular event in Brisbane’s musical calendar,” said Mr Danillon.
You can register your interest for the next Masterclass by emailing the Secretary of the Accompanists’ Guild of Qld, secretaryagq@gmail.com
Accompanists Guild of Queensland Inc.
www.accompanistsguildofqld.org