We sat down for a chat with Paul Vickers, conductor of the UNSW Wind Symphony, earlier in the year.


What do you enjoy most about conducting the UNSW Wind Symphony?

I love the camaraderie and sense of community that exists in the group. Like with any group pursuing a shared purpose, modern society's strong sense of individualism fades into insignificance as we work together for the sake of our shared goals. Of course, our shared goal in the Wind Symphony is the artistic performance of high level repertoire for wind ensemble. I love that we perform artistically credible music of the highest order! 

What are you looking forward to in the Term 1 program?

This is a very challenging program of modern repertoire - all works written within the last twenty years. I'm excited that I haven't performed any of these works before, and I'd be surprised if any of the players have seen more than one of these pieces, so we get to craft an interpretation together. I'm excited that there are absolutely gorgeous moments, moments of high energy and fiendish technical demand, and huge moments that will stretch our concept of extreme volume and open tone. It's going to be so rewarding to pull this together!

What is your favourite song/piece of music? 

It's hard to go past Beethoven's Ninth Symphony; what phenomenal choral writing with orchestra. I am calmed to complete stillness by Lauridsen's O Magnum Mysterium (and the Reynolds setting for wind symphony is gorgeous.) My wife walked down the aisle to Lior's This Old Love, which therefore has a special place in my heart, but is also just a truly great song by an understated virtuoso.  

Favourite place to eat out in Sydney?

If with family or friends, and there's good wine, I'm pretty happy. With three kids, I'll often choose a good steak at home rather than going out buy Cafe Sydney or Chiswick for a splurge, or Three Blue Ducks.