New Gen Philharmonic

As a teacher, performer and conductor, I have often worked with young people; and as a composer I have always found writing for kids, within whatever technical ‘limits’ apply, an exciting, and in the end, musically satisfying experience. Whether it was because of a lack of material appropriate to my approach to teaching, a lack of musically interesting material, or simply my own creative drive, the pleasure and joy of creating and leaving behind something that may have some meaning, in whatever medium is ultimately its own reward.

So it was that I had been aware that a particular cohort of my younger students (and some of their siblings) needed, and could profit from, the experience of group work (that is; meaning/emotion, energy/discipline, and its social expression, historical perspectives, new and expanding identities, …… in the ‘real’ world ….. you know, all that sort of stuff that is hard to articulate without ending up sounding like some sort of socio-anthropo-psycho babble/dribble………) when an opportunity appeared.

“sometimes young people need the application of specialised learning techniques, gentle aids to facilitate their musical development….”

And there you go, we did it! Our first rehearsal was on the 22^nd of Feb., 09 in the Church of Christ Hall, Illawarra Rd, Marrickville, and it was good, surprisingly good…such a bright, alert, conscious and humorous bunch of individuals.Well, and so it is that we have come together, (however temporary or transitory it may ultimately be) engaged in a process of transformation and discovery, both individually and collectively, as all of us; kids, parents and myself, as the New Gen Philharmonic prepare for the next phase of the journey.

23^rd March 09.

“some of the latent energy and drive as it ‘sparks’ from the groups collective inner power!!”