Emotion vs. Feeling

 

Music expresses “emotion and feeling” in your soul, says Tara Murphy, concert master of Darwin Symphony Orchestra. Eric Bracialian chatted to her in the lead up to her performance at this year's Darwin Festival. 

It’s a pretty busy afternoon, around 12 o’clock, and I receive a call from Darwin Symphony Orchestra’s concert master, Tara Murphy. This talented classical musician is ready for our catch-up to talk about her performing at the Darwin Festival.

The excitement of meeting her almost drives me off-track. I go one direction and she goes in another. We can't find each other.

My phone rings again: "Why don’t we just meet in café close to the theatre?" she says. "I am wearing black dress and pink sport shoes”. Finally, we meet in the café, as suggested, and we settle down with coffees.

Tara is very energetic and dynamic. She has a passionate interest in music. She says “Music describes feeling in between feelings and emotions.” They are such magnificent words that are so inspiring. She is a prodigiously talented musician.

Eric:  What performances is Darwin Symphony Orchestra (DSO) going to present during the festival?

Tara: The DSO is involved in two projects at this year's Darwin Festival: the Green Stone Garden performance, and Diamonds Are for Trevor. [For the former], seven of our members are performing.

Eric: What was the idea behind this collaboration?

Tara: This collaboration started with the idea of creating new innovation in music. This work will be combining classical music with other genres. Classical music is more [about] reflecting emotion... compared to other genres of music that present more through words expression, lyrics and rhythm.

Eric: What is your first impression in Darwin Festival?

Tara: It’s huge; it’s not small. It’s world class arts. I think the Darwin Festival is very important... I believe there is something for everyone there.

Eric: What makes it significant?
 

Tara: Darwin has such a multicultural society, there are so many different needs and desires in the walks of life, and in the arts. I think [the festival is] essential and very reflective of the different types of people who live in Darwin.

Eric: What is your role in Darwin Symphony Orchestra?

Tara: I play the role of Concert Master. I'm responsible for looking after the sound.... My job is to interpret the conductor's actions, such as waves.

Eric: What is the most embarrassing  moment that every musician could face during their performance?

Tara: Hmm... That's a hard question, I've never thought about that. I guess it is very hard if you go there and nobody likes what you playing and they are not feeling it.

Eric: As a musician, how do you define music?

Tara: Well music means something different for everyone; it is the beat in certain situations at certain times. The only thing that you have to do then is keep it going

Eric: As a musician, what is your message for new talents?

Tara: I think talent is not enough; sometimes it’s the combination of being talented and working extremely hard. If you work extremely hard on your talent then opportunities will arise for you. So, be extremely dedicated in anything that you choose to do and things happen.

Also, you have to be a nice person because sometimes we have an amazing talented person but nobody wants to work with them. That happens because they behave badly, you have to be polite and accepting of others. People need to understand and to be diplomatic.



Tara performed with the Darwin Symphony Orchestra on August 15 and 16, 2013.