Live On Air

‘The children come in and we tell them they’re the studio audience of our show On the Wireless. says Nick. ‘We have an “On Air” sign, and it’s a great way to bring the kids into the performance space. We have moments in the show where the children make music with us on air. They really believe it, even the older kids.’ 

Many children at their school concerts have no previous experience of live music. The idea that music is made by people, using instruments, playing together in real time is almost entirely unknown to them.  

‘The biggest problem I face as a music educator is that kids are not seeing very much live music nowadays,’ says Nick. ‘I teach them concepts, and they seem so obvious to me, but that’s because I’ve spent my life in and around live music. I realised that these kids are not seeing very much live music at all.’ 

Until recently, Nick, Julia and Murilo were more used to performing on a concert stage as the classical / jazz combo Trio Histoire. Nick admits he was concerned about what adjustments he’d have to make for a schools show. ‘I’m not a Wiggle, I’m a saxophone player!’  

But with the rigorous workshopping and guidance of Musica Viva Australia’s creative development team, they emerged with a new show, a new name and a clear understanding about how to perform for a young audience.

‘It was an amazing process. We came in with our own skills and repertoire … and tweaked and repurposed and scripted it to be completely engaging. I thought I’d have to be a different person to do a schools show. It’s just my normal approach to playing – a little bit more animated.’ 

Groups performing for Musica Viva Australia In Schools reach about 190,000 school children a year, introducing many to the excitement of live music. A lot of this important work is supported by donors who understand the benefits of music education for young Australians.  

Alison Kerry is the Ensemble Patron for On the Wireless and has generously committed to support the group for three years of touring. She remembers seeing Musica Viva Australia performances when she was at school in Orange, NSW.

‘Musica Viva came to our school with a wonderful collection of musicians and they had instruments I had never seen or hear of before’ she says. ‘Today I still remember that experience. It was very valued and meaningful that these people took the time to come and talk to us in a country town. This is a way to pay back the wonderful experience I got.’ 

Her experience mirrors that of Nick Russoniello: ‘As a kid in Wollongong I saw Musica Viva shows. When they came to my school it was the highlight of the year for me. It just blew my mind that there were people doing this. I could even see myself as a performer on the stage …’  

Alison’s support will bring ‘On the Wireless’ to schools across Australia, to help today’s young people to have the same experience of music-making and – who knows? – maybe inspire the next Nick Russoniello. 

This is part of a series of Untold Stories celebrating the extraordinary people who make the music possible at Musica Viva Australia.   

To discuss making a gift to support our music education programs, please contact Matthew Westwood mwestwood@musicaviva.com.au