‘Australian Canvas’: Dr Nicholas Enrico Williams to deliver his final concert as Conductor of Wind Symphony at Melbourne Recital Centre

Significantly, the concert includes the world premiere of Ukranian-Australian composer Cathy Likhuta’s Storm Chasers, a concerto for timpani and wind ensemble. Acting Convenor of Percussion at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, Brent Miller will perform in the Australian Canvas alongside the Wind Symphony.

We spoke to Nick briefly about the upcoming concert and his time at the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music. 

Nick, this will be your last concert as Music Director and Conductor of the Wind Symphony at the Conservatorium. How are you feeling?  

My (brief) time at the Con is a highlight not only of my career but my life. I’ve met so many truly wonderful people, many of whom will be life-long friends and colleagues. The experiences that I’ve had in Melbourne really prove the saying: ‘music is universal’.

I’m excited to be back in Melbourne to share this music with an audience and to be able to collaborate with the fantastic Con musicians and soloist Brent Miller.

You have recently joined the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia in the US. Congrats! How does the wind scene differ between Melbourne and Georgia? 

I’m currently living in Athens, Georgia, the birthplace of the B52s and REM. There is a very active live music scene there, much like in Melbourne.

The wind band scene in the US has a different history than here in Australia. The band music making at the secondary and tertiary levels are much more established in the US. However, the community music making scene in Australia (including community bands, community orchestras, community brass bands) is much more vibrant than in the US.

Tell us a bit about next week’s concert ‘Australian Canvas’, at the Recital Centre.

There are several spectacular pieces being performed at next week’s concert, including a world premiere performance of Ukranian-Australian Cathy Likhuta’s Storm Chasers, a concerto for timpani and wind ensemble. The new composition features the Con’s Acting Convenor of Percussion, Brent Miller. It’s a fantastic three -movement work. We are fortunate that the composer will be in attendance for the premiere performance.

In addition to this brand-new work, the University of Melbourne Wind Symphony will perform Percy Grainger’s Marching Song of Democracy, an enormous and impactful piece that doesn’t get performed often due to the number of musicians (and instruments) required. The concert should have something for everyone. Other works to be performed include pieces from composers Marquez, Lauridsen, and Dooley.

What is most exciting to you about your field at the moment?

Being able to collaborate with emerging pre-professional musicians in tertiary education, as well as their brilliant (and very professional!) teachers is a passion of mine…and is something I feel very fortunate to be able to do.

Is there any message you’d like to send to the staff and students you’ve worked with over the years at the Con? 

I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to spend a few years with some amazing people, contributing to a wonderful and vibrant music and arts community, on historic and beautiful lands. I won’t be a stranger and look forward to future collaborative opportunities here and in the US!