Local artist profile: Anne Begg

THIS week we chat with multi-instrumentalist, music teacher and conductor/music director of the Women of Note Choir, Anne Begg.

What initially motivated you to try conducting?

Conducting a choir is something that has always been at the back of my mind throughout my career. Most conductors start out as instrumental musicians and develop conducting skills later on. I’m no exception.

I took conducting studies at university as well as taking up cello later in life.

Conducting has come as a natural progression through performing on different instruments and under different conductors. As a musician you always end up conducting in some shape or form, in my case presently conducting a community choir.

How would you describe your style?

My style is to be true to the composer’s wishes but also delivering my own musical and emotional influences. I love a good tune and luscious harmony, and enjoy performing music which takes the listener on a heartfelt emotional journey, whether that be through classical guitar, or the Women of Note Choir.

In conducting, my style is still developing, and I am always learning. But as far as style of choral music is concerned, I like to conduct different styles of music from classical to jazz and classic popular songs.

Which other musicians or conductors inspire you?

My first inspiration from a classical guitarist came from John Williams and his band Sky from the 70s. As a teenager in the 80s, I listened to this incessantly. As I listened more to classical music my inspiration expanded to include all types of classical music and musicians, from small chamber ensembles to large symphonic and choral works.

Conductors who have inspired me are the great ones I have performed with while singing with the MSO Chorus and Tanglewood Festival Chorus in the USA. We are so lucky now to have YouTube at our fingertips and we are able to explore the styles of many different conductors and musicians.

I love watching Kirill Petrenko conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. He does this with such passion, joy, and precision. He obviously loves his job. I will never stop being inspired by great musicians, dead or alive!

How can people check out your work, including conducting the Women of Note choir?

The Women of Note Choir has performances around Bendigo throughout the year, singing for charities and concerts. Women of Note has a mini festival coming up on 20 May, collaborating with other choirs for a day of choral concerts at St Paul’s Cathedral. The choir is made up of a fantastic group of women who are there to support each other and sing beautiful music. We welcome new members, so if you like to sing you might like to join us. We can be contacted through our website wonbendigo.org.

What would you say to young regional aspiring musicians who are thinking of having a red hot go at playing music?

If you enjoy playing an instrument or singing, have lessons from a professional teacher, practise hard and embrace as many opportunities as you can. Learn from those around you and enjoy collaborating with other musicians to see where it will take you. You won’t be disappointed! It is a skill you will have with you for life, and you can be lucky enjoying a career as a musician doing what you love, or if not professionally, just playing with other like-minded musicians for pleasure.