SYNOPSIS
What does living a life of music really mean?
INTO THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC is a story about chasing dreams and ending
up somewhere completely unexpected.
In an observational style, the program traces the plight of aspiring musicians as
they audition for The Victorian College of the Arts School of Music, one of Australias’
most prestigious and exclusive music performance schools.
Competition is fierce and the jangle of nerves is palpable as we traverse the frenetic
hallways where prospective students await their turn, and slip behind the closed
doors of the audition auditorium where auditors make decisions that can change the
course of somebody’s life.
As auditiees confess their secret hopes and unrealistic expectations of where a
career in music will take them – auditors and VCA staff, all notable musicians themselves,
reflect on the trajectory of their own careers, the shifts in their personal relationship
with the discipline of music and the often difficult and confronting realisations
they have had to make.
INTO THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC is an aurally rich and warm exploration
of what it means to put your heart on the line, risk failure and live a life of
passion.
Duration: 51:30.
FEATURING
Prospective students auditioning for the VCA including:
Sophie Di Tempra, Cailan Howarth, Katrina Dearnley, Glen Bailey Donna Chung Pui
Yu, Claire Egan, Lyndon Brown, Tam Matlakourski. Lachlan Kingsford, Nicole Carr,
Jessica Fotinos, Esther Casas Lowe.
The Victorian College of the Arts Staff including:
Anna Connolly, Eve Newsome, Ashley Cross, Geoff Hughes Miwako Abe, Marco Van Pagee,
Jonty Stockdale, Yvonne Hofler, Stephen Grant, Derek Jones, Robert Schubert.
CREDITS
Produced, Recorded, Edited by Kyla Brettle.
Executive Producer, Robyn Ravlich, Into the Music, ABC Radio National.
Additional Sound Recording by Tim Symonds.
Production assistance and support from Steve Murray, Alana Horden, Alec McCloskey
and Alex Stinson.
Final Audio Mix by Kyla Brettle
Commercial music used in the program is derived from Zeno Wig's Eyes and Instinct.
All other music used in the program was performed by perspective students auditioning
for the Victorian College of the Arts School of Music during November-December 2006.
Audition recordings by Tim Symonds, rehearsal recordings by Kyla Brettle.
© ABC Radio National and Kyla Brettle 2007
A warm thank you to Kate Mazoudier, VCA staff and prospective students who contributed
to the production and made this program possible. And also thank you to my test
listeners who lent me their ears when I distrusted my own: Michelle Matthews, Allan
Thomas, Julienne Brettle, Merric Brettle, Tim Symonds, Garry Havrillay
First broadcast
on ABC Radio National's Into the Music, September 8 2007
LISTEN
Listen to The Audition; Into the School of Music
here.
LINKS