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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: [email protected] | http://www.artsongperth.org.au Join us on facebook.com/artsongperth | Follow us on Twitter @ArtSongPerth
Proudly supported by
Please join us!
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