NECOM recently welcomed Kelly Fuller and the team from ABC New England Northwest (Tamworth) as they set up a makeshift studio in NECOM on 22 February. Broadcasting live from one of our main performance rooms, listeners were able to hear live interviews and performances from many of NECOM’s students and teachers.
The “Flying Scales” string quartet made up of Jonathan Bruhl, David Tan, Isla Biffin and Mia Emanuel wowed listeners with a brilliant rendition of an Argentinian tango, showcasing the closeness and communication of a chamber group that has performed together for around ten years. Newly-appointed music therapist, Fumie Takahashi played Waltzing Matilda on her steel drum (just one of many instruments that Fumie plays), while Jhana Allan gave a stunning account of a Björk song that Jhana reworked into a folk-style for voice and viola. The ever-reliable Robert Jackson added a short solo cello work to the morning program, showing once more why he is not only one of Armidale’s most respected music teachers, but also one of NSW’s finest string players. The broadcast ended at 10am with a comedy debate on Australian larrikinism.
Following the success of this broadcast and the clarity of the transmission, it is hoped that more live broadcasts might be made from NECOM in the future.