AFTER a decade at the helm of Redland Sinfonia, artistic director and conductor Graeme Denniss has laid down his baton, describing the experience as his “first chance to oversee something … something which is quite wonderful”.
Mr Denniss, 70, of Birkdale, conducted his final concert in early April at the Redland Christian Reformed Church in Ormiston, playing to a full house in what he called a “fitting and joyous swansong” to his 10-year tenure.
“The stick allows me to tell people what to do but with an edge of kindness,” he said.
“It wields no sound, but it has huge power.”
During his time with the Sinfonia, Mr Denniss led rehearsals, staged about 30 concerts, engaged soloists, recruited players, sourced and researched music, rearranged pieces, applied for funding, sought feedback, managed production, supported publicity, and featured some of his own compositions.
“It has been rewarding on so many levels, and I have learned a lot,” he said.
“Plus, I have worked with some loyal and truly gifted musicians.
“I just love to be on stage, and I love to tell stories.”
He said programming his own compositions was a rare privilege.
“It has put me in a privileged position,” he said.
“Being a conductor and a composer is a winning combination.
“But the orchestra members know what works – you can’t get away with writing rubbish.
“It has to be artistic and practical and something that suits the narrative.”
Mr Denniss said the orchestra allowed him to compose music that might not otherwise be performed, offering musicians a broad and varied repertoire.
“I like to use something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue in every show,” he said.
“The audience does love a smash hit.”
His legacy includes expanding the orchestra’s repertoire to include modern material such as pop music, Frank Sinatra, and John Farnham, while continuing to offer opportunities for soloists – most recently Liam Waldock and Sarah Hubbard at his farewell concert.
Mr Denniss said his decision to retire came as he sensed “the winds of change”.
“I have had a fantastic time as a conductor and for me personally, I always wanted to go on my terms and this concert was a last hoorah,” he said.
“The concert was a joyous occasion held in an intimate setting where the audience was close.
“They laughed at all my jokes.
“I usually rehearse what I want to say, but this time, I had some basic notes and filled in the rest.
“There was a freshness to it that was different and there was no back-up.”
Looking ahead, he plans to keep teaching music, drawing pictures for his grandchildren to colour, writing new material, gardening, reading, and publishing his compositions.
Seven of his works appear on the Sinfonia’s latest CD, This Red Land.
“I’ll be around, but in the short term I want to take my hands off so that I don’t get in anyone’s way,” he said.
“New conductors need to find their feet.”
Interest in the role has already begun, with further details and applications available on the Redland Sinfonia website.
