THIS week we speak with pianist, composer, music educator and Bendigo\u2019s Women of Note community choir\u2019s accompanist Dr Peter Butler.<\/p>\n
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What initially motivated you to have a go at piano?<\/strong><\/p>\n As with almost every child\u2019s journey into music, mine was instigated by my mother. Both of my parents were great music lovers, attending concerts of every description on a regular basis. Fortunately, I grew up in an era in which most homes, like ours, had a piano.<\/p>\n Piano playing was a commonplace undertaking. In time I found myself playing for all sorts of choirs, community groups, theatre companies, instrumentalists and singers. That is where the bulk of the learning takes place. It doesn\u2019t stop when you finish taking formal lessons. I\u2019ve been fortunate to make a living in music and continue to accompany all manner of students and experienced musicians on the piano every week. I practice every day.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Which other pianists inspire you?<\/strong><\/p>\n In Australia we have so many outstanding young, and established, male and female concert pianists. I feel heartened knowing that the art of piano playing will not fade away any time soon.<\/p>\n I find the breathtakingly brilliant pianism of Derek Paravicini, a blind pianist on the Autistic spectrum – in the key of genius – awe-inspiring. Likewise, the staggering memory, and technical brilliance of the blind pianist Rachel Flowers, never ceases to astonish me.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What are some highlights you have from your journey so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n The friendship and the camaraderie of the Women of Note Choir is one of its standout features. We were due to tour northern Italy and Austria in June 2020. The declaration of the pandemic put a stop to that.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How has your practice been affected by COVID?<\/strong><\/p>\n COVID has decimated choirs and music performance groups across the world. The Women of Note through use of an online rehearsal schedule managed to survive pretty well intact. Like every other choir during the pandemic, recruitment of new members was severely curtailed. They are well and truly back in business, and welcome new members at any time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How can people check out your work?<\/strong><\/p>\n There are many examples of my original compositions on my website peterbutlermusic.com. Women of Note do not post performances online, however they perform regularly around Bendigo and throughout the region, and are well worth catching live in concert. They will perform at St Paul\u2019s Cathedral alongside a number of outstanding regional and metropolitan choirs on Saturday, 24 May.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n