Community
2 May, 2024
Alex’s piano performance was just grand
'Gazza's Gossip' "I HAVE had the privilege, while writing the weekly ‘Goss’, to meet and tell stories about many interesting people. They may be a local sporting hero, have certain talents in the arts, be an amazing community volunteer or something else."
Last week, I was lucky enough to cross paths with an individual who has now taken her musical talents further south, to become a noted pianist, not only in Melbourne, but across the country.
Mossman pianist Alex Byrne returned home at the weekend to perform a concert of French and English art songs. After establishing her career as a professional pianist in Melbourne, this gifted local headed back up north to her hometown with tenor Ben Glover for ‘By The River’, a recital of art songs for voice and piano.
For Alex, the concert was an opportunity to acknowledge the community of Mossman who have supported her during her early years of music development, and to showcase her talents to the people who fostered them.
Apart from being well-known to many in the local community, Alex’s family have a long history in the sugar town, including her grandmother Elsie and mum Julie.
When I caught up with both Alex and Ben, on a very wet day along Front St, Alex told me: “Mossman holds a place in my heart that will always be very dear to me. This community fostered and nurtured me as a young musician, and I am humbled to be returning to my hometown and celebrating their contribution to my own personal and professional growth as a pianist.”
Like any young musician starting out, Alex spent many hours rehearsing and never losing her unwavering passion for music and faith in her own personal development.
After Mossman, Alex’s journey continued as an undergraduate student at the Queensland Conservatorium in 2011. She then ventured further south for her master’s degree at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music in 2019.
As a professional musician, she repetiteurs for opera companies such as Melbourne Opera and has worked as a musical director for productions including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Sound of Music.
Alex also works as a music educator in schools, continuing the legacy of music education for young students which sparked her own fire as a child in Mossman.
As a staff accompanist at Westbourne Grammar School, this position feeds into her passion for inspiring, encouraging and nurturing the musicians of tomorrow.
Alex went on to say: “As a youngster I was blessed by being surrounded by music teachers who were supportive and encouraging. Knowing that each day I could be walking into a rehearsal room and nurturing and inspiring the musicians of tomorrow is an exciting prospect for me. It’s a small contribution I can make as an homage to those who invested in my education.”
Alex and Ben’s performance at the Mossman Shire Hall went down a treat, with locals, visitors, friends and family all enjoying songs by Henri Duparc and Benjamin Britten.
There were a number of special reasons to be back on home turf, one of them being Alex’s first public performance in Mossman since her days as a music student, 13 years ago. It was also an opportunity to play on the Douglas Shire’s very own grand piano, which is housed at the shire hall.
From our conversation, both Alex and Ben just seemed two really nice and happy people, enjoying what they do best.
I’m off to try and tickle some ivories, so for now it’s Gazza signing out.
Send your stories to gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au
