Episode 83 - Jodie Blackshaw

Self-described as "an Australian composer with a penchant for colour and creativity in the wind band genre," Jodie Blackshaw shares the story of her career, her music, and her thoughts about teaching band. Topics: The conversation begins with a discussion of Jodie's current project, a 25 minute work for band and how she's incorporated ideas from chamber works for winds to show off the colors of the ensemble. Jodie's background growing up in Yenda, a small town in New South Wales, Australia with an electric organ in her house and a few wonderfully inspiring teachers. The band tradition in Australia and how instrumental music is taught without the school band and orchestra tradition that defines instrumental music in the United States. The experience that inspired Jodie to a career as a professional musician and her thoughts about what we can do to help nurture girls and young women as composers. Jodie's work Belah Sun Woman and her interesting thoughts about the type of music that kids like to play. Links: Jodie Blackshaw, Composer Blackshaw: Peace Dancer Blackshaw: Belah Sun Woman Stravinsky: Octet for Winds Stravinsky: Symphonies of Wind Instruments Biography: Jodie Blackshaw grew up in the Riverina, NSW and after completing high school, studied a Bachelor of Music in Composition with Professor Larry Sitsky at the Australian National University, School of Music. Since then, she has worked teaching music to students of all ages and conducting a variety of ensembles in several different settings, from remote country centers to the inner city. The influence of Orff-Schulwerk methodology is a significant influence of Jodie's teaching practice and composition. In December 2012, Jodie presented the clinic 'Get off the Podium' alongside Dr. Mark Fonder of Ithaca College and conductor Professor Craig Kirchhoff at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. This clinic, advocating her unique compositional style and inclusive teaching approach to ensemble, offered directors opportunities to explore musical elements other than melody and harmony. Jodie is passionate about inspiring teachers and musicians to be active in the music making process. Jodie resides in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia with her husband David and daughter Matilda and works full-time as a composer and appears as a guest clinician and adjudicator for band festivals throughout Australia. Jodie is fanatical about producing quality, meaningful works for band. She desires that her music not just be "another piece, but an educational and spiritual journey for both the players and the director."