TASME Term 3 Newsletter, 2022

A Choral-versation with Madeleine Dyer

What's your musical background?

I grew up in Sheffield where I started having violin lessons with my grandma, Elsie Dyer. I also had private lessons in Devonport for singing and piano, and whilst in high school, I started participating in eisteddfods and undertaking AMEB exams.

In 2011, when 16, I went on a cultural exchange to Italy. The aim of the exchange was to go and do lots of music. I wanted to learn classical singing but was told that I was too young. Specifically, someone said to me, "you have a sweet voice. Come back to me in ten years!" This was at the Pergolesi Music School.

I completed my A. Mus. A in piano in 2012 and started at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music on piano in 2013. I was a little disillusioned by classical piano and therefore came back to Tasmania. In 2015 I returned to Sheffield during which time I was approached by members of the community to start a local choir. The sowed a very important seed in my life, sparking a real interest in singing and choral music. As a result I moved to Hobart to study voice, graduating in 2018. I was very keen to start a choir and heard about Margot Lampkin's retirement and then became Director of Music at Choral Productions Tasmania.

What's your vision for choral music in Hobart and Tasmania?

I really want Hobart to become a sought-out place for community and quality classical, and other genres of choral music. It would be great to see a range of musical genres performed, and a range of collaborations between amateur and community organisations. For me, what's important is accessibility and taking a community focus covering a range of different genres - early sacred music, classical music, contemporary pop music - and focussing especially Tasmanian and Australian composers.

Describe an inspiring moment in your musical career!

The first rehearsal in Sheffield with the Kentish Singers. Previously the group had got together to sing country songs and now wanted to take their singing more seriously so they approached me for assistance. The first work the singers were introduced to was the "Nun's Chorus" from The Sound of Music.

What projects are you currently working on?

The main project at present is Missa Soli: Requiem for Eli by Nigel Westlake, which will hopefully be performed in 2023. This is in collaboration with Singers of Southern Tasmania and the Hobart Chamber Orchestra. A high priority for me is to organise concerts, seeking grants and commissions, to feature modern Tasmanian composers.