This week NECOM will welcome renowned cellist Gwyn Roberts to work with a broad range of students performing in ensembles and in masterclasses. Gwyn’s visit to Armidale was organised by NECOM Head of Strings, Joanna Fairs-Wu, and his visit will provide another invaluable opportunity for NECOM’s students to meet and work with one of Australia’s finest musicians and educators.
Gwyn Roberts has had a very active career as a cellist, conductor and music educator. He was Musical Director of the Queensland University Symphony Orchestra for 25 years, and Senior Lecturer in the School of Music. His varied career as a cellist has seen him play principal cello with Tasmanian, Adelaide, Auckland and Canberra Symphony Orchestras, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, and with Mayne String Trio, the Queensland Piano Trio, Ensemble I, and the contemporary ensemble Perihelion. Since retiring from UQ, he continues to be involved in music education at all levels from student to professional as performer, teacher, conductor, examiner and researcher.
Gwyn will be visiting NECOM to undertake a variety of activities including a workshop with Boorolong Strings followed by AYO, and then working with UNE Strings on Tuesday 13 August, and offering masterclasses to NECOM scholarship students on Wednesday 14th.
Masterclasses allow students to work with musicians of national and international stature, preparing them for high-level performance opportunities such as the Australian Youth Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra Academy etc. These masterclasses also assist in providing links to tertiary institutions and networking opportunities with professional musicians around Australia.