We were delighted to receive quite a number of applications for our first conducting masterclass of the season. After reviewing all the videos received and applicant CVs and biographies, we have selected the following as active participants for the 2 x 2.5 hours rehearsals on May 27. They are (in alphabetical order):
Joshua Geddes
Andrew Groch
Mateusz Gwizdalla
David Le Guen.
We noted, with some passing disappointment, that no applications from Australian women conductors were forthcoming! Come on girls, it’s an occupation far too dominated by our male colleagues globally, so we hope to see you apply for the next masterclass in August? Also, if you would like to sit in on the masterclass as an observer, we still have some places for this.
The programme for the two sessions will include all participants working on J. Strauss’s Die Feldermaus Overture with ADO Principal Conductor, Kevin Purcell, and guest conducting clinicians. The participants then can choose from either Debussy’s Afternoon of A Faun or Copland’s famous ballet for 13 instruments, Appalachian Spring. All these pieces present varied and challenging issues for conductors in bringing the music off the page with the orchestra to a listening audience.
Want to know more about our selected participants?
Joshua Geddes
Joshua is the Musical Director of the Boroondara Symphonic Band and conductor of the Senior Symphony Orchestra at Brighton Grammar School. 2016 sees him participating in masterclasses with the Orchestre Régional de Cannes Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur and Northwestern University’s Conducting and Wind Symposium in Chicago. Joshua completed his Masters of Music Studies at The University of Melbourne, where he studied under the mentorship of Professor John Hopkins OBE OAM. He has honed his craft in masterclasses with world-renowned teachers including Jorma Panula, Colin Metters and Mark Heron.
Andrew Groch
An avid performer and conductor, Andrew Groch is in his third year studying a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. Andrew studies conducting under the guidance of Graham Abbott, and has worked with a variety of groups including The Grainger Wind Symphony and the Heidelberg Symphony Orchestra, where he is currently the Deputy Conductor. Andrew has also participated in a range of masterclasses with Ben Northey, Luke Dollman, and Christopher Seaman.
Mateusz Gwizdalla
Mateusz matriculated at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, winning two Premier’s Awards in music subjects, and graduated from Monash University with a double degree in Music (Jazz Composition) and Performing Arts (Theatre). Mateusz has conducted choirs, bands and pit orchestras for both opera and musicals, and is grateful for this opportunity presented to him by the ADO.
David Le Guen
Violinist and conductor David Le Guen studied conducting with Max McBride and Myer Fredman. He has conducted the Tasmanian and Canberra Youth Orchestras, the Derwent Symphony Orchestra and since moving to Melbourne he has worked with the Kooyong Chamber Players, the Nicholas Chamber Orchestra and the Frankston Symphony Orchestra. He holds music degrees from the Australian National University and the University of Tasmania, where he completed a doctorate in violin performance. David currently holds the position of Head of Strings at Presbyterian Ladies College.