Taree's Mitchell Brown has featured as first clarinet chair, concert master and soloist for the State Wind Band during sold out concerts at the Sydney Opera House.
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"It's an honour to be selected to play with this group but to get first chair is just amazing. There are not always solos to play, but I was very lucky that the program included the opportunity this year," the 18-year-old said.
The State Wind Band comes together once a year to play the Sydney Opera House in a series of concerts put together by the Department of Education to showcase what's happening under the Arts Unit for music education in state schools.
The ensemble is conducted by Department of Education teacher Stephen Williams, who also puts together the Schools Spectacular.
This year is the second time the year 12 Taree High student has been part of the State Wind Band.
"I did my first (concert series) when I was in year 10. I was third clarinet then. I didn't do it last year because I was playing at the grand concert of the Taree and District Eisteddfod on the same day," he said.
He has been learning the clarinet since he was 11 and recently sat for his eighth grade exam. You must be a year eight minimum and have a grade 6 AMEB or equivalent qualification to apply for the ensemble.
"It's not a traditional audition," said Mitchell.
"We send them what we've accomplished and then we either get in or knocked back. There aren't many knock-backs."
In a wind ensemble, the clarinet section is the equivalent to the string section in an orchestra. Clarinet first chair is also the concert master position. This player is responsible for tuning the orchestra before the conductor comes on stage and also plays any of the solos in any piece.
"The first clarinet sits where the first violin sits in an orchestra. It's a position where everyone can see you and the easiest place to lead from," he said.
All the clarinet players were asked to learn the solos and audition for the role of first chair during the first day of rehearsals.
"When we get there we play for the conductor in a band setting. The conductor then chooses who he'd like to play solo.
"On the second day of rehearsal, the conductor walked into the rehearsal room, got on his stand and pointed at me. I was pretty proud to be chosen."
The ensemble performed twice over two days, the first five minutes long and the second eight to nine minutes long.
"We were straight on and off as part of a bigger concert at the Festival of Instrumental Music."
Becoming the first chair, concert master and soloist was Mitchell's goal for the State Wind Band this year.
"When I got the music two months beforehand I saw there was a solo clarinet part and I wanted to get that in the ensemble."
He's been learning to read music from a young age and said while it was easy for him to learn the piece quickly, it was the technical aspect, the tone of the clarinet and the speed at which he played it that was a challenge. "It was a defining factor of who got to play the solo."
The ensemble played music by Paul Hindemith and Arturo Mrquez. Mitchell had an opening solo to play in a piece called Danzion no 2 by Marquez and stood on the stage in front of the ensemble to perform.
"It was a Mexican piece and it had a really romantic atmosphere. It was very expressive, that was the most difficult aspect of the solo to come across to the audience."
Mitchell said it was a rewarding experience.
"I like playing with everyone as an ensemble, and the unity and the music we can create. I also like working with really professional conductors and like to learn from their expertise."
It's been a big year for Mitchell. He received the prestigious Roma Liggins Perpetual Scholarship for piano and instrumental at the Taree and District Eisteddfod; was a member of the Hunter Wind Ensemble which toured Central Australia; and was awarded B Grade Champions at the National Eisteddfod in Canberra.
He played in the orchestra for Taree Arts Council's Les Miserables in 2018 and is also a member of the Manning Valley Concert Band.
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