Interview with Tilly Jones - transcript

Background

Tilly is an exceptional young woman from rural NSW who has a passion and love for music and composing. A Year 9 Southern Cross School of Distance Education, Tilly studies a full pattern of study whilst taking additional lessons at the Northern Rivers Conservatorium. She speaks French and Auslan at home with her foster siblings. Tilly isdiagnosed with multiple disabilities including cerabal palsy. Tilly and and her carers see what she can do, rather than what she cannot. She is currently in France for six months continuing her studies with Southern Cross School of Distance Education whilst she travels.

Link for documentary about Tilly on ABC iview Creatability

Tilly’s Symphony

Further background re Tilly’s foster carers

Tilly’s carers speak about Tilly from 1minute 49-1 minute 59

Life Without Barriers Disability Services Achievement Award Winners Jenny and Marj

Australian Chamber Orchestra ACO websites

ACO

ACO MOVE

Transcript of interview with Tilly Jones by Sharon Mwanza and Allan Baldry on 12/5/17 at Southern Cross Distance Education

Sharon: Tilly, tell us about your involvement with the Australian Chamber Orchestra and your music.

Tilly: Earlier in the Year I was approached by the ACO where they play music to people with disabilities and each year they use a different composer’s music. They found about me through my documentary.

I have disabilities and I compose so I am a perfect match. They are using some of my pieces which will be played by the ACO MOVE in 20 June 2017 in Sydney at the ACO studios in circular quay by their string quartet. The pieces are:

  • The Chase
  • Castle
  • Tango in A minor

I’ll be skyping in with the ACO MOVE I have sessions before the concert with the musicians. I will also go to Sydney and watch the concert and be involved with the concert.

Sharon: Tell us three things that have helped you to get to where you are:

Tilly: 1. My mums – they help me; 2. The Northern Rivers Conservatorium and my teachers; 3. The teachers.

Sharon: What are some of the barriers you have overcome in your life?

Tilly: Disabilities is a big one. I had to quit violin as I could not play anymore. My first teacher was like you’ll never be able to play the guitar and I would not be able to play certain types of music. I got a new teacher and t.hey said you can play the guitar and you can play all these pieces, nothing is stopping you

My disabilities are physical – stuff that stops be from playing stuff. I know what I am doing most of the time.

I play five instruments. Cello, piano, clarinet and guitar. I had to stop playing the violin due to my disabilities. At the moment, the cello, followed by guitar, piano and clarinet.

I play in the Northern rivers conservatorium youth jazz orchestra, chamber strings, world music ensemble, northern rivers youth orchestra, cello ensemble and jubilee orchestra.

Sharon: What are some of the things you do that help you to compose music.

Tilly: Playing music. I get a lot of ideas from the pieces I play.

Allan: Do you ever feel overwhelmed by all the things that are happening?

Sometimes

Allan: What do you do (when you feel overwhelmed)?

Tilly: I play more and I’ll go and compose more! If I have an exam, I do stress practice but if it’s not music that is stressing me out, I go and do music. If it is music that stresses me out, I play different music.

Sharon: What else do you do in your life other than music?

Tilly: I do Distance Education; computer club house; I went to Boston for a teen summit and I am part of a youth reference group called care 2change for kids in out of home care. We try to get the government to listen to us who experience in out of home care better and improve the system, which has worked. We have had the Children’sCommissioner come and give us feedback after we visited her.

Allan: Do you think your success with music keeps you motivated?

Tilly: Yes

Sharon: Coming into Distance Education, how has this made things easier for you?

Tilly: I know what I’m doing now as I left school in Year 7 as that didn’t really work out. I moved all my time to music during that time. Now I can balance my life.

Sharon: How has being at our Distance Education Outreach Centre helped you - what does this opportunity bring to your life?

Tilly: I’ve made friends. I get to connect with people who don’t just do music.

Sharon: For our staff – what do you find most valuable in how we contacting you – do you prefer us to visit, phone calls, internet?

Tilly: They kind of all work. I’ve had a couple of visits.

Sharon: You are going overseas, would you share a little about this with us

Tilly: I’m going to France/Europe in 6 months in July. My parents are dropping me off in Paris and I’m staying with my grandma who is a musician who knows a lot of musicians. My Foster Uncle, who did a symphony has asked me to be a part of the orchestra that is commemorating battles that have happened in France - a musical tribute.

Allan: Tilly, you are doing amazing things. Do you see yourself as someone that others could inspire to do like you do.

Tilly: I’m a modest person.

Sharon: What inspires you?

Tilly: seeing other people play music, other people with disabilities

Sharon: What motivates you?

Tilly: I can’t see myself not doing music, so I keep doing it.

Every now and then I have bad days but its way better than I was in the past at a normal school setting. It’s less pressure on me to conform.

Sharon: Anything else you would like to tell us.

Tilly: Subdivide!

Sharon: Is this how you make your complex compositions?

Tilly: Yes I try and listen to Snarky Puppy. If all else fails, count and subdivide and listen to Snarky Puppy.

Sharon: With your career pathway already started with ACO with a contract and being paid, where do you envisage yourself heading to – what’s your dream?

Tilly: To keep composing. I don’t see myself as a solo performer, rather in an orchestra or an ensemble.