Strictly Ballroom: Meet an Orchestra Member
5 Days to go!
Here’s what some of our musicians have to say about their experience playing in the orchestra pit and the impact that live music has on a live theatre production.
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Mabh Torr (12 Millward)
Instrument played in the production: Keyboard
Other instruments: piano
Girton Ensembles: Big Band and Jazz Band
What do you love about playing in the pit for a live theatre production?
I’m loving all aspects of getting to be a part of something as awesome as a pit orchestra.
What do you like specifically about the music that will feature in Girton’s production of Strictly Ballroom?
The soundtrack is so cool! Music is such an important part of any production and I’m especially loving all the 80’s songs for Strictly.
Connor Dolan (12 Aherne)
Instrument played in the production: Alto Saxophone
Other instruments: Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone
Girton Ensembles: Wind Symphony, The Girton Big Band, TheGirton Jazz Band
What do you love about playing in the pit for a live theatre production?
It is a new experience that is something I may never be able to do again. It is also so cool to see the amount of work that goes into something, even the smallest bits of a production.
What impact do you think live music has on a theatrical production?
It helps make the play come to life. While the main show is the actors (which is well deserved), the other features like a band, a tech crew and even changing scenery for different locations can help make the play come to life even more.
What do you like specifically about the music that will feature in Girton’s production of Strictly Ballroom?
The wide variety of music. The music can go from a samba to a rock song, then move into a waltz and then into a pop song with many more styles of music I have not even mentioned.
Chloe Cook (12 Aherne)
Instrument played in the production: Flute and Piccolo
Other instruments: Alto Flute, Bass Flute
Girton Ensembles: Flute Ensemble, Wind Symphony, and Orchestra
What do you love about playing in the pit for a live theatre production?
The ability to try a new setting for performing music and being able to understand a musical more comprehensively. I am also fond of the difficulty of the pieces since they test my ability to read and play to a much higher level.
What impact do you think live music has on a theatrical production?
It creates an atmosphere that is more direct with the performance and gives a unique opportunity for both the cast and orchestra to create an engaging performance.
What do you like specifically about the music that will feature in Girton’s production of Strictly Ballroom?
How the mood changes through motifs and playoffs that shape the characters. It creates a balanced mixture between relating repertoire and characters in a combined story.
Augustine Leung (11 Jenkin)
Instrument played in the production: Keyboard/piano
Other instruments: Violin, Guitar
Girton Ensembles: String orchestra, Segovia and Bream guitar ensembles, VCE String Quartet
What do you love about playing in the pit for a live theatre production?
Working with other talented musicians (students and teachers) and learning new genres of music. I am more of a classical music player so it opens up a new horizon for me. In addition, working and watching as the gig comes together from scratch gives a great sense of accomplishment.
What impact do you think live music has on a theatrical production?
In my opinion, live music really gives a non-verbal script to the production, almost like a user-manual to a new appliance.
What do you like specifically about the music that will feature in Girton’s production of Strictly Ballroom?
What I like about the music is that it speaks the language of the 80s, that is, the glamorous and mesmerising, yet funky and catchy ballroom music - if music is a time machine, this soundtrack will bring listeners right to the middle of the extravagant dancefloor.
