It was such an honour and privilege for my 14-year-old son Isaac Schiavone to have had the opportunity to play collaboratively Saint-Saëns’ Sonata for Clarinet and Piano with the highly talented young chamber musician James Skelton, at the AGSA and AMEB’s DUO Day on Aug 25th at Adelaide University.

 

When we learn an instrument, we spend most of our time playing and practising alone. However, music education is never just working by oneself, but to always be curious, be prepared to explore, elaborate, and develop new skills with others. During Isaac’s musical journey, he has always been encouraged by his beloved music teacher and mentor Monika, to explore, develop new skills and nurture a fine taste and appreciation of music.

 

It was a wonderful experience for me to watch Isaac and James rehearsing in the past several weeks. James was able to come to Isaac’s piano lessons, so finding times for rehearsal was not a problem – some of the usual piano time became a ‘get together’ time! I was delighted to see the two young musicians elaborate on each other’s ideas, sharing their understanding of the music, offering fresh new perspectives on the interpretation of the music, and gradually developing the chemistry and bond allowing them to present their music collaboratively in a very special way.

 

This experience is absolutely invaluable. I am so thrilled to watch my son develop another skill dimension as an accompanist, become more sensitive to another player’s musical needs, get out of his comfort zone and acquire new insights from another musician, and at the same time develop a new friendship.

 

As a parent, I am pleased that we have introduced music into Isaac’s life, giving him an oasis from this fast-paced modern life. As Plato says: “music gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.”

 

The Duo Day workshop was a preparation for subsequent examination performance and for a young person to have the opportunity to work toward a worthy goal such as the sharing of music with others. It is definitely time and effort well spent.

 

There is an old Chinese saying: “It takes 10 years to grow a tree, but a hundred years to nurture a real man".

 

Things we choose to spend time on, and people we choose to be with, make up our life and who we are. One day, when my child looks back to his younger days, he will realise that all these wonderful experiences, the performances he participated in, the musicians he worked with, the friends and teachers in his life, together made him a more complete person and enriched his life.

 

Thank you AGSA and AMEB for the wonderful opportunity given to our children.

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KATIE