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CLAIRE EDWARDES
PERCUSSION
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NEWS
Fact or Fiction
Following a recent feature article in
Spectrum (SMH 31/1/09 - see Press Reviews page) I would like to take this
opportunity to clarify a few facts about me. It is also a nice way for you to
find out a bit more about how I got into percussion!
Fiction 1: I have done my best to avoid a career as an orchestral
percussionist and if I'd gone into orchestral percussion I would be standing at
the back waiting to ting a triangle every 50 bars. Fact 1: I never
felt like I was a
skilled and talented enough orchestral percussionist to win an audition. As
a casual percussionist in orchestras I used to get sparse parts and as a result
felt
quite nervous and not really in my element. I decided to make new opportunities
for myself and form my own groups which led to an immensely enjoyable career as
a soloist and chamber musician. I still play in orchestral percussion sections
from time to time which I always find inspiring.
Fiction 2: I started Ensemble Offspring when I returned from Europe 3
years ago Fact 2: Ensemble Offspring was formed by Damien Ricketson and
Matthew Shlomowitz 12 years ago. I was a founding member of this group. Our
first concert was at the Sydney Spring Festival (AD Roger Woodward) where we
performed new works by Ricketson and Shlomowitz - I was in 2nd year at the Con.
We were called the Spring Ensemble then (for obvious reasons). It was from this
moment onwards that my appreciation for contemporary music started blossoming. I
have been the associate artistic director for approximately the past 2 years and
I am now the co-artistic director along with
Damien Ricketson. Matthew
Shlomowitz, a dear friend, now
resides and works as a composer in London.
Fiction 3: It takes me half an hour to get my marimba into my Toyota
Corolla Wagon Fact 3: In total (including the packing down of the
instrument, squeezing the cases into my car and setting up at the other end) the
whole saga of moving my marimba takes about 2 hours and a lot of muscle!
Fiction 4: The reason I play percussion is because it is primal Fact
4: This is one of the many reasons but definitely not the only reason. Other
reasons include - the fact that percussion is a contemporary instrument and I am
passionate about the development of repertoire; the range of options in terms of
the different instruments I get to practise and perform on; the huge palette of
sounds possible; it is fun; you can make melodies and have a strong rhythmic
presence all at once etc etc etc
Fiction 5: Percussion is male dominated Fact 6: I have never
really found this to be the case and if it was the case, it has never been an
issue for me.
Fiction 6: I had never had a percussion lesson before I got into the Con
Fact 7: I didn't have regular lessons throughout high school but in year
12 I had quite a few lessons with master
percussionist Jess Ciampa, prior to my HSC and con audition. I met Jess at one
of the many amazing State Band Camps that I had attended during high school. I
did get into the con thanks to Jess!
Fact 7: Gitimalya on the 6th and 7th February 2009 will be my
first solo concerto performance at the Sydney Opera House. I have performed
countless times at the SOH since I was a young girl (starting with my first ever
piano concert when I was about 7, in what is now the Utzon Room) so the SOH
holds a special place in my heart. I have performed before as soloist with the
Sydney Symphony at the Sydney Town Hall.
Other facts...
*I don't get nervous in performance anymore * I have my AMUS & LTCL on
piano *I don't play piano very often anymore although I will be performing Fratres
with Sarah Oates in Holland in April this year * I used to learn the flute * I
went to school with Kevin Man who is now a member of Taikoz - we were even in a
flute quartet together *I miss the music scene in Amsterdam but really love
living back in Sydney *I adore the weather here and being close to my family *My
husband Sam is obsessed with watching and playing cricket. He is very good at it
and is in a team called the Saggy Greens
Media
Coverage and Articles about and by Claire Edwardes
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Claire Edwardes
Percussion 