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Olivia D. Jones Music has just been my life-long companion. Every time I hear Compositional skills are employed constantly as an improviser.
All improvisers have a deep understanding of form, structure,
an orchestra, I feel so privileged to be able to listen with intent
(2006) internationally and hear the beautiful nuances of the sounds, the counterpoint counterpoint, harmony, and music theory. Improvising can
acclaimed and the musical elements interweaving. reveal genuinely intuitive composition – for example, intuitive
melodies are often revealed through the improvisation process.
experimental To be honest, the concept of music as a career was completely
improviser, clarinetist, foreign to me – I hope that has changed as graduates today I tend to oscillate at a macro level between periods of focusing on
writing and focusing on playing, mainly depending on the projects
move into the professional scenes. I just followed my heart,
composer and practised a lot and let my instinct guide me. I know that’s easy I have undertaken at the time. But on a micro level all aspects of my
arts fundraiser is to say and everyone needs to pay rent! I have had to be an practice are complementary and I find I enjoy being flexible and
open to that – I just let the influences flow through me.
entrepreneur.
interviewed by JCH
Did you ever wrestle with the choice to pursue composition over What role does social media play in your work as an
music student, Hadley performance, or have you found a way to explore both as a independent musician, and how have you navigated the
Wintle (2024). performer-composer? vulnerable task of sharing your art online?

I don’t know how to choose! I love them both. There is a Rehearsing at Banff Centre Vulnerability is a tough hurdle. Artists are required to be
legendary reeds player and multi-instrumentalist in the States, vulnerable. Honestly, so often I am just closing my eyes and
How do you define music?
Douglas Ewart, past President of the Association for the With the potential to both create valuable industry connections hitting ‘send’!
For me, music is any sound that captures my ears. I grew Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM), the influential but also put one’s creative practice on the backburner, how was
up in rural Victoria where the silence is incredibly rich and Chicago-based free-jazz musicians’ collective. He did a Q&A at your experience of administrative jobs in your early career? But in a way my duty is to convey the music. I think all musicians
and artists would feel that obligation. I love sharing my music
compelling. In Melbourne where I live now there is always an my Masters school, and he said something that stuck with me: Would you recommend them to young people starting out in
underlying hum that can be harmonised with another sound to touch base with each aspect of your practice every day – even if this field? on Instagram and other platforms. It’s a great way to connect
with the scene and community, even during long periods of
create something interesting for ears. It’s very inspiring. it’s for five minutes – it’s like checking in with an old friend. I try
to sit at the piano every day, pick up each instrument each day, Yes, totally. I had good experiences with Paul Grabowsky’s putting my head down and composing or working on whatever
The 20th century really opened up the concept of sound-as- and do some electronics. Having said that, some days I don’t do Australian Art Orchestra as a marketing administrator. I learnt a project is coming up.
music in a way we benefit from now – our ears are so open. everything and that’s fine too! It’s a goal. lot about the industry in terms of how the ensemble engaged My admin. work taught me a lot about promotion. I don’t think
The Electroacoustic composers, and also the post-Bebop era in with major Melbourne venues, through to how funding works. I have it solidly down – there is a lot of material I simply forget
Chicago and New York, were embraced in Australia by groups Did you get involved in any memorable events or performances I proofed grant applications and prepared budgets – and that to post. But self-promotion is a big part of an indie artist’s job. I
like the Australian Art Orchestra. I feel very lucky to have that during your time at JCH? work is invaluable for what is essentially a very entrepreneurial love having a website. It not only helps to promote my work but
recent history to open up my ears. career as an artist.
So many gorgeous performances! I was lucky enough to see the also adds an element of professionalism to what I am doing.
If music is essentially a crucible of melody, harmony and rhythm Seraphim Trio with Anna Goldsworthy – we were so fortunate For a while, admin. as a career dominated as it was the money
that generates a human emotional response, then we have so to have a very rich music environment when I was in JCH. maker – and the non-profit arts world can take up a lot of Which aspect of your career now do you find the most
many options, a fact which I find really cool and exciting! energy, particularly when you are attending shows in the rewarding, and which part do you find most tedious?
The best memory for me is my fellow JCH music friends evening and working full time. I would recommend it but also
premiering my piano trio Autumn Colours at High Table dinner. I love making music with friends. It’s great to be at a point in my
In what ways did your early education and upbringing emphasise the need to find ways to maintain balance. Some career where I know what I like to do and what I dislike and am
shape your relationship with music and desire to pursue it The Dining Hall is acoustically so resonant with the gorgeous days if you’re exhausted from admin. work and all you have now in a position to choose. This is the reward for all those years
professionally? Did any family members, teachers, or artists high ceiling. I am grateful the College was so supportive and the energy to do is play your instrument for fun or sketch a few of practising and taking any gigs I could get!
particularly inspire you? open to them premiering my piece for me, in front of a room of chords and play them on repeat – that is beneficial connection
my best friends. They cheered so hard at the end! JCH is such a with your artistic practice. Rejection, and managing my reaction to rejection, is tough. It
I was lucky to attend a state primary school with great music special place. can sometimes feel as though you are the only one fighting for
teachers. There was a lot of singing in class and that beautiful What musical element (if any) do you value the most when a project or an idea, but grant rejections are not an indictment
communal energy is a very positive early memory. I also had writing, performing, or even listening to music? This might be of an idea. They are always part of a larger macro vision the
wonderful music teachers at high school where I was exposed melody, harmony, timbre, texture, etc. grant maker holds for their work. Often, I’ve been ‘so close’ and
to the 19th century clarinet repertoire that is so important, but I just not quite right, but if the idea is solid and I believe in it, I
had also begun to fall in love with jazz. I idolised the musicians’ What a tough question! Maybe the aspect I value the most is know I can realise it somehow.
deep musical knowledge, excellent ears and natural creativity. the weaving of an artistic dream.The way art takes us into an
alternative dimension of solace and storytelling in a language To wrap up, do you have any final advice for young people
For me, music is the beginning of everything! My earliest our bodies understand, even if the language is foreign. The way
memories are reaching out to anything musical I could get our DNA is altered slightly and then back we float in the sure hoping to build a full-time career in the Arts in Melbourne?
my hands on. My parents often took my sister and me to hands of accomplished and self-assured artists. What might you wish your 19-year-old self had known?

Melbourne to see MTC, NGV exhibitions and musical theatre. I I wish I had been less hard on my 19-year-old self! But I think
drank up that exposure. When I was very young I taught myself I also love the communal nature of music making and I tend I trusted my heart to guide me, and placed a lot of trust in my
piano on our electronic keyboard and came up with my own to enjoy experiences most when we are in that pocket, instinct, and I’m glad I did – even while being highly critical of
way to notate and identify the sounds I was producing, long together, experiencing a beautiful thing as one. Music myself as a musician. These days, I do a lot of positive self-talk.
before I could read notes on staves. making is conversational, it’s sometimes the deepest form of
communication. I think that communal element is something A good piece of advice is to find a mentor. Not just your teacher,
My parents played Cold Chisel records and Crosby, Stills & that can resonate beyond ourselves into the space to impact but someone you can grab a meal with and chat to about your
Nash at home, but they were also passionate about ballet and not only the other musicians and audience but also out into the work and industry-related issues. I have had mentors over the
musicals so there was Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky too. world. years – and I have often reached out to folks who in my eyes are
mega-stars, and I’ve never regretted it.
I remember clarinetist Sabine Meyer played with the MSO In what ways do you think your improvisation and composition
in Geelong and my music class went. It was foundational to processes influence your clarinet performance and vice versa? I have not once regretted reaching out to an established musician –
extending my deep love of the instrument. I still remember like Kris Davis in New York, or Sandy Evans in Sydney – because
everything about the concert – the way she stood on the Costa Absolutely, and completely. All aspects of my composing are our work is communal and the teaching of it is essential oratory.
Bjork performing dressed as DNA
Hall stage and the pristine sound! Olivia Jones (credit Rita Taylor, Banff Centre 2024) impacted by my experience as a performer. Musicians want to commune. They want to hear from you!
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