Jillian Camwell currently leads a multifaceted musical career, anchored by her position as assistant professor at Troy University in Alabama. In addition to teaching, she is regularly invited to give clinics and masterclasses across the U.S., while still actively performing with multiple orchestras. Even with such a busy schedule, her return to her hometown of Calgary is a special occasion.
“This is the first time I’ve performed in Calgary since I left. My whole family is still here—my brothers, nieces and nephews, and my husband Dave’s family too. Aunts and uncles and everybody…”
When asked about the beginning of her journey with the oboe — often considered a challenging instrument for beginners—Jillian smiles broadly. “Well, my junior high teacher, Ross McIntyre, appealed to my vanity. He wanted an oboe player for his band, so he told me he needed one of the strongest clarinet players to switch to oboe. He gave me Calgary Philharmonic oboist David Sussman’s number, and away I went.”
He immediately gave her parents an important piece of advice: “Don’t ask her to play quietly.” Jillian learned to use her lungs well—a critical skill on a wind instrument—and after performing in ensembles at Central Memorial High School and the Calgary Youth Orchestra, she went on to attend the University of Calgary. She recalls Sussman as an important mentor: friendly and quick to laugh, but also direct and unafraid to point out issues. “You are too good to be making those kinds of mistakes,” he would say.
Her upcoming Calgary performance features the Canadian premiere of the oboe concerto Cosmic Harmonies by Robert W. Smith. The piece was inspired by two of his faculty colleagues touring a campus exhibition dedicated to American artist “Nall” Hollis. The composer and soloist were drawn to several works of art—particularly one titled Cosmic Harmonies, which lent its name to the concerto. Stories about Hollis shared by the gallery curator were also a source of inspiration (including a wry anecdote involving Ringo Starr that is referenced in the music). While the piece is not meant as a literal translation of the artwork into sound, concertgoers will see the visuals projected during the performance.
With support from a Troy University grant, Camwell and Alberta Winds plan to record the concerto to help share the piece with a broader audience. “Robert W. Smith certainly wrote music with the idea that it could—and should—be played by a wide range of people,” she says.
To complement the concert, conductor Gareth Jones has curated a program inspired by visual beauty and self-reflection. Canadian composer Michelle Lorimer’s Daybreak, Drawn to the Fire references the second dawn during an eclipse, while also inviting personal inspiration during dark times. Philip Sparke’s Colour Symphony features five movements inspired by different colours, and was written with synesthesia in mind—a neurological condition where people perceive colours when hearing music.
Cosmic Harmonies takes place at 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 8, 2005, at the Christ Church Elbow Park.
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Written by Jonathan Gresl.
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