It’s nearly a year since the death of Sir Charles Mackerras, (17.11.25 – 14.7.10), a towering figure in the world of music whose career extended through live and recorded performances, operatic, choral and orchestral repertoire, who mentored numerous emerging talents and who was much loved by all with whom he worked. He left an incomparable…

Concerto writing for the violin in the 21st century is alive and well with the works of these celebrated living composers listed by Gramophone magazine. http://gramophone.co.uk/editorial/ten-violin-concertos-by-living-composers …and as a sequel to its list of 21st century violin concerti, Gramophone magazine nominates its list of  top 10 20th century violin concerti. http://gramophone.co.uk/editorial/top-ten-20th-century-violin-concertos

A tried and true approach to accurate sight singing is to become familiar with the first two notes of  well known pieces of music and commit them to your accoustic memory.  When you need to, recall the tune you learnt and hear the interval in your mind the next time you have to sing it. Compiling your list of tunes could be a…

Dr Clare Skinner works in the Emergency Department of Sydney’s Royal North Shore Hospital. She also plays the oboe and once a year joins around 60 other medicos from around the state to indulge their passion for music, performing as the NSW Doctors’ Orchestra. The proceeds go to the charities related to music and medicine.  She tells…