Farewell Leanne Glover

Becoming a professional musician is not a particularly common career path for people from the country! When did you know that this was the career for you?

I can’t really remember a specific lightbulb moment. I think we all naturally gravitate to those things that we have an affinity for and which therefore make us feel good. From around 16 years old I just kind of knew that was what I was going to do. 

Why did you choose this concert to be your last with WASO?

Dvorak's New World Symphony was the first orchestral piece I played on cor anglais when I was 15 years old. It was at a music camp for young people. Everybody clapped after the second movement because of the famous cor anglais solo and I had to stand up. I remember thinking "well this is nice!" It seemed like a lovely book-end to finish up with the same piece. 

Can you tell us some of your favourite memories over your 32 years with the orchestra?

OH so many!! Playing Iain Grandage’s Concerto for Cor Anglais was wonderful. Tristan and Isolde with Asher Fisch was every emotion known to humankind (especially because of the whopping off-stage cor anglais solo in the third act).  Chris Dragon’s deflating dinosaur costume whilst trying to conduct Jurassic Park was one of the funniest things I've ever seen in my life. Touring China was eye-opening and amazing. Playing with icons such as Burt Bacharach, Tim Minchin, Harry Connick Jr., Kate Ceberano, Lalo Schifrin (he wrote the music to Mission Impossible!) and just so many others. And then just sitting backstage with my friends and colleagues having a cup of tea during a rehearsal break is a ritual I will miss dearly.

You’ve performed with so many visiting artists and conductors in your time with WASO. Who’s been the most surprising person you’ve performed with?

I think it would be Anohni from Antony and the Johnsons. What a beautifully different and mesmerizing artist she is. I have grown to love her music. But on the first rehearsal I really didn't understand what she was about. 

In 2019 you toured to Albany with WASO, performing as soloist. What was it like to perform for your Mount Barker family, friends and music teacher?

That was such a fulfilling experience. There are not many moments in our lives where we allow ourselves to feel proud. There are so many connotations of arrogance and other negative colours attached to that particular emotion. But I had worked so hard for that particular concert and actually felt proud of myself and the music we were presenting. It was a really beautiful experience to share it with people who mean a great deal to me. 

Any tips for making the perfect reed?

Nope!! Still looking!

What has it meant to have your position privately supported through the Orchestral Partnerships program?

Having an Orchestral Chair Partnership is a really wonderful way to have a more intimate relationship with people who are passionate about music and the arts in general.  I feel it helps us both to understand more about the process behind putting on concerts and bringing music to the wider community. 

What’s in store for your retirement?

So many things that don't involve the never-ending search for the perfect reed!  But, having said that, I will still be playing music. I can’t and don’t want to live without it. My partner and I have many fun plans in store.

What will you take away from your time with WASO?

Friends.  So many wonderful pieces of music that I now know intimately. The knowledge that I can stay calm (relatively) (well... calm enough) and perform under what sometimes feels like immense pressure to "get it right" the first time through on concert night.

Do you have any parting words for your WASO colleagues?

I will never forget being a part of the WASO family. The music. The goosebumps and tingles. The challenge. The connection. The laughter. The rehearsals. The concerts. The feeling of belonging. WASO has left an indelible mark on me and I will be forever grateful for my career and time here. I love youse all.

Leanne Glover’s final concert with WASO is Dvořák’s New World.

Friday 22 & Saturday 23 April, 7.30pm
Perth Concert Hall

Leanne’s chair is generously supported by Sam & Leanne Walsh through the Orchestral Partnerships Giving Program.