An outdoor performance at the West Ryde Easter Celebration on a Roland stage piano brought unexpected challenges and rewards. From adjusting to a different touch and sound projection to connecting with a warm, supportive audience, this performance became a memorable reflection on music, community, and shared joy.

Performing Recercar su Sancta Maria at the Bach Birthday Organ Concert became a deeply rewarding experience, especially when the addition of live singers transformed the texture into something richer, clearer, and more expressive. The interplay between the delicate organ tone and the purity of human voices brought a new depth to the music, highlighting the importance of listening, balance, and collaboration in Baroque performance.

In rowing, strength alone is not enough. If timing is off, effort is wasted. When a crew moves in sync, the boat becomes faster and more efficient. The same applies to music. Performance is not just about individual ability, but about how well you align with others.

Working on Recercar con obbligo by Girolamo Frescobaldi revealed a key challenge: true voice independence. This piece demands more than simply playing multiple lines. While the four keyboard voices already require careful balance, the addition of a fifth sung voice elevates the difficulty and deepens the interpretative challenge.

Training at 5:00 am, before the sun rises, isn’t about excitement or energy, it’s about discipline. Rowers push through the routine, synchronising each stroke with focus and responsibility. The lesson extends beyond the water: in music, real progress comes not from waiting to “feel ready,” but from showing up consistently, practicing with structure, and embracing repetition.