Thomas Chawner

For the International Viola Conference in Newcastle (June 2005) I was asked to play for a masterclass conducted by Helen Callus. I chose the Karl Stamitz Viola Concerto in D, as I was preparing it for my final music examination for school. It was a daunting prospect having to play for an audience of viola players who probably all knew this well-known piece. So, I was a bit nervous! I managed to play with reasonable technical accuracy but with some hesitation. Helen was really good – very positive and reassuring and then she got right into the piece. She worked on the start, trying to create a bigger and more dramatic delivery with a lot more power in the bow. A few jokes helped me to relax and provided some entertainment for the audience. I managed to get closer to the sound that was needed and her advice was direct and proved to be very valuable. I played the same piece for my exams and scored a perfect mark, as well as being nominated for Encore, a concert to be held at the Sydney Opera House in March 2006, of the most outstanding music students for the 2005 NSW Higher School Certificate. I would like to take some classes with Helen Callus in the future.

Thomas Chawner. I am eighteen years old and just completing my final year at high school at the Hunter School of the Performing Arts, Newcastle, Australia. I have been playing viola since 2000. My viola teacher is Andrew Chubb who was a student of Elizabeth Holowell and Deborah Lander. I have also studied violin with Anne Hartsuyker who was a student of Errol Collins. I have been a scholarship holder for viola at the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music since 2001.

My experience playing viola has been diverse and I have very lucky to have played with the Australian Youth Orchestra, the University of Newcastle Symphony Orchestra and the University of Newcastle Camarata.

My involvement with The Australian Youth Orchestra programs has been fantastic. I started with the Young Symphonists in 2002 and I also attended in 2003 and 2004. This program is for under eighteen year olds and is auditioned from all over Australia to form a twenty six-piece string orchestra to work with some of Australia’s most talented musicians. In 2005 I was selected to play the first season of the Australian Youth Orchestra, performing at Parliament House in Canberra and the Sydney Opera House. This orchestra is selected through auditions from musicians all over Australia who are under twenty-five. The highlight of the season for me was playing Symphony No. 10 by Shostakovich and being on tour, as well as being shown around the Opera House by members of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. I have also been selected to attend the National Camp twice and will play again at the 2006 camp in Canberra. Its great fun and the music is always challenging.

I have also been nominated for Encore, a concert to be held at the Sydney Opera House in March 2006, of the most outstanding music students for the 2005 NSW Higher School Certificate.

Viola is my favourite instrument but I often play violin. I was the concertmaster of the Hunter School of the Performing Arts String Orchestra for five years and the Hunter Festival Orchestra in 2004. I have also played viola or violin in three quartets: the Akimbo String Quartet, The Hunter School of the Performing Arts String Quartet and the Newcastle String Quartet. All three quartets have performed at public venues around Newcastle. The Newcastle String Quartet is currently preparing a more extensive concert program. I love chamber music. I enjoy playing the music of contemporary composers such as Shostakovich, Hindemith and Ross Edwards

In 2006 I am planning to take a year off from tertiary studies to work and play music and decide on future directions. I would love to travel and play with different orchestras and chamber groups.