Take 10

Newcastle Herald

Saturday December 13, 2008

Neil Jameson

Brett Kelly grew up among the bush

and ocean blue of Dudley before

somebody stuck a battered brass

instrument in his hands and sent him on a

musical journey that took in world tours

as lead trombonist with the Melbourne

Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and led all

the way to the conductors podium.

Now one of Australias leading resident

conductors, Kelly has regularly conducted

the Melbourne, Tasmanian, Adelaide and

West Australian Symphony Orchestras,

along with the Queensland Orchestra.

Among the recent calls on his talent was

the role of orchestral score conductor for

Baz Luhrmans Australia.

1. How did Australia happen for you?

I had conducted a number of film scores

by [composer] David Hirschfelder and

he said he had to have me for Australia.

It was demanding: eight trips up and

back to Sydney to work with a 103-piece

orchestra at Trackdown Studios, and some

of the orchestrations were being done in

London and Los Angeles, emailed while

we slept and printed up ready for a 10am

recording session. But it was incredibly

stimulating, especially working with John

Williamss recording engineer Shawn

Murphy.

2. Film, recording, playing, conducting

 whats best?

My weakness is I love it all. My real job

is principal trombone with the MSO but,

this year, Ive managed to conduct every

symphony orchestra in Australia and one

in New Zealand. That included working

with people like [singer-songwriter] Ben

Lee. He brings a different audience and

we get to reach out and pull them ever so

slightly to another place.

3. Why trombone?

Michael Golding, my music teacher at

Whitebridge High, became the conductor

of the Newcastle Transport Band, which

became Kahibah Bowling Club Brass

Band. He was looking for drummers

but there werent enough drums to go

around. So, I was handed a beaten-up

trombone. For a kid who thought a trip

to Redhead tip was fun, being on a band

excursion to Port Macquarie was pretty

special.

4. Trombone versus baton?

I love playing. It physically commits you

to making a sound. On the other hand, in

conducting you have to use every single

brain cell because you are both leading

and thinking ahead of the music, almost

like you are hearing two performances.

5. Biggest calamity?

In 1982, my first year with the MSO, I

had a big solo coming up. When I tried

to bring the trombone to my lips I found

I couldnt lift it. Strangely, I could feel

a breeze on my legs but that was the

least of my worries. As it turned out, the

trombone slide had caught in the cuff of

my trousers. I was able to free it at the

very last second in time for the solo. Ive

worn cuffless trousers ever since.

6. Most exquisite moment?

MSO at St Petersburgs Mariinksy Theatre

full of educated and passionate music

lovers, about fi ve years ago. They gave

us a rapturous response. Or, my very first

experience in an orchestra. It was at the

Newcastle University Great Hall. It made

me fall in love with the idea.

7. Secret to conducting?

Prepare well, keep it simple, be sincere,

treat people with respect and focus on

the orchestra.

8. Best advice?

Dont put all your eggs in the one basket.

I did a music teaching course at the

Newcastle College of Advanced Education

as well as a performing diploma at the

Newcastle Conservatorium. I learned

principles which stood me in good stead.

A college lecturer, Margaret Lloyd, taught

me to give it all youve got.

9. How do you make kids practise?

For me, the trombone was my thing.

At home we encourage the kids. My

wife Cindy plays viola, Eliza (15) plays

violin and Joseph (10) cello. He loves

the fruits of practice but he still needs

encouragement.

10. Have you seen Australia?

Twice. I went to the premiere but couldnt

take it all in. Seeing it in a normal

environment with friends and family

worked much better. We took a couple of

70-year-olds, and two 10-year-olds. They

all loved it.

Neil Jameson

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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