Which film composer?

Here is a question for you.
Which composer has written the most film scores?

Answer: I don't know.

But I do know that John Williams has received more Oscar nominations than any other individual and has written the scores for over 100 still well-known films, several of which have received top awards.

He has not only made more money from composing than any other film composer: he has also made more than all of the others put together.

Here are a few films which have featured his music:
The Harry Potter movies
The Star Wars movies
The Superman movies
The Indiana Jones movies
E.T.
The Jaws movies
Schindler's List
Angela's Ashes

The music sounds terrific in the films, but even more enjoyable when you listen to it without the dialogue, sound effects and film distracting you from discovering its beauty.

When we lived in the Blue Mountains I was privileged to occasionally play piano in the Penrith Symphony Orchestra. One year, we performed a Star Wars medley and as we played, I began to notice things I hadn't heard in watching the films or listening to the soundtracks.

Williams had written special themes for many of the characters in the story. In one of the excerpts which was played while Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia were together in a scene, you could hear Luke's theme (which is also the main Star Wars theme) interweaving with the themes for the other characters. Maestro Williams had cleverly created his themes so that they could be played together!

Do you remember the quirky jazzy theme which is played when there is a scene in an odd sort of cafe, with lots of odd-looking aliens whooping it up? Here is a great piano duet version to enjoy.





And this 7 minute medley presents soem of Williams' most memorable themes, with a few lesser-known, but enjoyable ones.

An Enjoyable Way to See the World and Explore Classical Music

We have just finished watching the first series of Classical Destinations. We enjoyed the thirteen episodes and were chuffed that the composer of the theme music, Paul Terracini, was working beside us last year at Mitchell Conservatorium in Bathurst.

There is some gorgeous scenery and beautiful music in the series. We enjoyed the episodes about Bach and Mozart. I loved the Prague episode, with Simon Callow showing us around some locations in Prague where Amadeus was filmed.

The thirteenth and last episode is particularly moving, featuring the music of Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich. We are told of the tense relationship which Shostakovich had with the communist authorities, and of the bravery of Russian people during the 1942 siege of Leningrad.Hundreds of thousands of people died during the siege, but students continued to do exams, composers kept composing and people tried to keep living as normal lives as possible.

When Shostakovich's Leningrad Symphony was performed, half of the orchestra had died of hunger. The performance went ahead, with the instrument of each deceased member placed respectfully on their usual seat.

A poignant story to conclude the first series.

My wife, Joan and I now look forward to watching the second series, featuring Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

The Reluctant Consort

The Reluctant Consort is the clever title of a a group of serious amateur musicians playing Mediaeval to Contemporary Music on a range of instruments, including recorders, lute and cello. The group has been performing in Sydney and environs since 1975 and has presented almost 300 concerts in that time.

The group currently includes performers on numerous recorders, from the sopranino to the bass. One of these performers is former Mitchell Conservatorium scholarship holder, Jacqui Smith. Other players perform on cello, viola da gamba, lute, guitar and spinet [small harpsichord-type keyboard].

The players were thrilled to be finalists in the recent ABC Classic FM Classic Recorder Romp Competition. The video clip below features them playing Steve Marshall's Major Pipework Tango.

Helen Sherman: we're proud of you!

Helen Sherman, former Mitchell Conservatorium student, represented Australia in this year's BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition.

She sang beautifully, as you can hear in this performance in Concert Three from the competition. I particularly like the second song in the video, Una voce poco fa which begins at 6:12



On Sunday, 3rd July Helen was a featured artist in the Cheltenham Festival. On Friday, 8th July she will perform in the City of London Festival.

Minus Two?

Conagh McMahon-Hogan with Michelle Griffin

Conagh McMahon-Hogan is a talented Mitchell Conservatorium scholarship holder, who studies Voice with Marisa Mariani-Starr and Piano with David McKay. He is pictured here singing Non Siate Ristrosi, from Mozart's Cosi fan tutte.

Conagh is St Stanislaus' College's Senior Songman of the Year and also Head Boy. He has enjoyed performing in local musical productions, including taking the roles of Major-General Stanley in The Pirates of Penzance, Mr Bumble in Oliver and Leo Bloom in The Producers.

He also enjoys working with his friends Ryan Sanders and Senio Toleafoa in Minus One. Their latest recording is their version of the Mumford and Sons song White Blank Pages.

Multi-instrumentalist, Elné le Roux

Elné le Roux, Scholarship concert, 2011

On Saturday, 2nd April this year, Mitchell Conservatorium scholarship holders presented two concerts to showcase their talents. One of these performers was Elné le Roux, pictured here playing Australian composer, Andy Firth's Big Belly Blues with accompanist Michelle Griffin.

Born in South Africa, Elné began playing the euphonium when her family moved to Queensland. She later took up the flute and saxophone and enjoys playing these in a variety of ensembles in Bathurst, including the Mitchell Conservatorium Senior Flute Choir and Bathurst RSL Band.

Take Five is one of the most iconic alto saxophone solos. Here performed by Dave Brubeck's band, and featuring Paul Desmond, the composer of the piece, on alto saxophone.

We Love Jane Rutter

Happy flutists: Felicity McKellar with Jane Rutter

Mitchell Conservatorium recently hosted a visit of Australia's famous flutist, Jane Rutter to Bathurst, Lithgow and surrounding towns. Jane is a great model for students to follow. She makes her performances so enjoyable with her amazing technical ability and sensitivity and in the way she always engages with her audience.

Students loved the way she led the flute workshops and also enjoyed being acknowledged in her concerts.

An audience member at Lithgow was greatly moved and uplifted when she attended the concert in the church, which had been the venue for her sister's funeral the day before.