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WestMAC co-captain Olivia Bryant to have composition performed by Queensland Youth Orchestra

A young Ipswich musician has been named a winner of a prestigious composition award and is set to hear her piece performed at the Old Queensland Museum.

College Captain Olivia Bryant's national award-winning composition will be played by the Queensland Youth Orchestra on Wednesday night in a special concert.
College Captain Olivia Bryant's national award-winning composition will be played by the Queensland Youth Orchestra on Wednesday night in a special concert.

Inspired by the soundtracks of popular films Pitch Perfect and Interstellar, an Ipswich teen has developed a composition that has captured the attention of music fans across the state.

West Moreton Anglican College co-captain Olivia Bryant, 17, has been named a winner of Artology’s National Fanfare Composition Award and will this evening hear her piece performed by the prestigious Queensland Youth Orchestra.

She was one of only four Queensland winners selected from a record 100 entrants Australia-wide, citing teen flicks and blockbuster films as muses for her work.

“I love the film scores of Oscar winner Hans Zimmer, especially from the movies Interstellar and Inception,” Ms Bryant said.

“I wanted to channel this style of music in my fanfare, using layered textures and repeated ideas.”

Ms Bryant, who has been involved with her school’s music program since prep and composing music since year 7, said writing for more than 22 instruments was a “cool” experience.

“I was a shy kid, so I didn’t like solo performance and being the centre of attention,’’ she said.

“With composition I feel I can truly express myself.’’

Queensland Youth Orchestra conductor and competition judge Rachel Howley said Ms Bryant’s composition was a standout from the “opening bar” as she used “full orchestral sound to attract the audience’s attention’’.

“I was impressed by Olivia’s use of contrasting musical layers within the work and her attention to detail,’’ Mrs Howley said.

“We can already see Olivia has a bright future ahead of her and working with professional composers and musicians will build on her knowledge and skill base and give her a greater understanding of the orchestra.’’

Ms Bryant was one of four Queensland winners selected from a record number of more than 100 entrants Australia-wide. Picture: Supplied
Ms Bryant was one of four Queensland winners selected from a record number of more than 100 entrants Australia-wide. Picture: Supplied

Ms Bryant, a trombone and piano player and member of four ensembles at West Moreton Anglican College, hopes to further her studies at the Conservatorium of Music and eventually write a film score for Hollywood.

“Music has been the one thing which has helped me through this year of Covid and year 12,’’ she said.

“I want to pursue music at university, to see where it can take me. I want to contribute something I’ve written, a piece of music which could help make someone’s day.’’

Director of Creative Arts and Extra-Curricular Neil Flottmann said he was confident she would excel post-graduation, as she was already “well on track to make a strong name for herself in the industry”.

“Olivia is working on a level close to professionalism,’’ Mr Flottmann said.

“When you are a musician at that level, music is not something you do, but it is who you are, a way of being. That is the case for Olivia; music is a way of framing the world.”

Ms Bryant’s award-winning composition, AH!, will be premiered in concert on Wednesday night by the Queensland Youth Orchestras’ Chamber Orchestra, at the Old Museum Concert Hall, Bowen Hills.

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/ipswich/westmac-cocaptain-olivia-bryant-to-have-composition-performed-by-queensland-youth-orchestra/news-story/0124083813cd07c6ef7fcc6d30b2c144