2016 May 20

The Operatic Trumpet

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Opera consists of some of the most beautiful music ever written, and this performance will feature sweet lyrical playing and fiery passion that burns the heart and soul.

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Phillip O’Neill | Trumpet
Phill was born in Adelaide and began to play the cornet at the age of seven under the tutelage of his late father Des O’Neill, to whom his album The Operatic Trumpet is dedicated.

Phill has achieved great success as a soloist as well as a lead and section player. In 2003 and 2004 he won back-to-back Australian Junior Cornet Championships and went on the win the overall Brass section of both these competitions. As a senior player Phill has also won many solo and band awards. In 2009 he was Principal Cornet with Gunndah Shire Band when it won the Open A Grade National Championships and in 2009, 2010 and 2011 Phill won the Solo Open Cornet section of the NSW State Championships.

For the last 10 years Phill has worked full-time with the Australian Defence Force Bands. His career highlights have included playing for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, solo performances at numerous NRL and AFL matches and touring Australia as a soloist with Guy Sebastian.

As a performer, Phill has also worked and played with various musical heavyweights including Gabor Tarkovi, James Morrison, Marina Pryor and Vladimir Ashkenazy as well as with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Sinfonia and as a guest soloist performing the Brandenburg Concerto II with the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra.

Today, Phill is still enjoying performing with the Australian Defence Force and is currently employed as a classical trumpet specialising in the Wind ensemble. The Operatic Trumpet is his debut solo album.

David Barnard | Piano

Born and raised in Australia, pianist David Barnard graduated from his B.Mus. (performance) and Advan.Dip.Mus. (accompaniment) studies at the remarkable age of 18, training as a concert pianist and chamber musician with Diana Harris OAM. Other teachers included, Michael Kieran Harvey & Rodney Smith. He was recognised nationally for his outstanding achievements during his study receiving several awards and medals.

David moved to the UK where he took up positions at British Youth Opera (as répétiteur) and the Britten Pears School (studying chamber music).

As an accompanist, he has appeared in recital with many high profile singers and instrumentalists including: Sarah Fox (soprano), Roland Wood (baritone), Lesley Garrett CBE (soprano), Grant Doyle (baritone), Richard Suart (baritone), Christopher Lemmings (tenor), Helen Tara O’Connor (flute), as well as playing for the masterclasses of Roger Vignoles (accompanist), Graham Johnson (accompanist), and Mark-Anthony Turnage (composer).

David’s extensive skills as an opera répétiteur have seen him work with: British Youth Opera, English Touring Opera, the G&S Opera Company, English National Opera, Opera North, Raymond Gubbay Ltd, Buxton Festival Opera, Bulawayo Festival (Zimbabwe), and the State Opera of South Australia. Conductors have included: Peter Robinson, Fraser Goulding, Wyn Davies, Oliver Dohnányi, Stephen Barlow, Stuart Stratford, Harry Christophers, Michael Lloyd, Nicholas Cleobury, John Owen Edwards, Richard Balcombe & Nicholas Braithwaite.

David was the Head of Music for the State Opera of South Australia from 2014-mid 2015 and is on casual staff at the University of Melbourne. He recently has been awarded a Churchill Fellowship for furthering studies at several prominent International Opera Houses.

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2016 Concert 2 programme

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