News

Damaged cello no barrier to Shepparton performance

Media Release, Tuesday 7 October 2003

A star University of Melbourne cellist has vowed to continue preparation for a forthcoming chamber orchestra tour to Shepparton despite extensive damage to her valuable and beloved cello during a flight to Hobart.

Michelle Wood, a prize-winning fourth year performance studies student, was shattered to find her cello damaged when she arrived in Hobart recently to commence master classes with noted cello teacher Christian Wojtowicz.

Michelle, who has performed both internationally and around Australia, is the lead cellist in the University of Melbourne 150th Anniversary Chamber Orchestra tour to Shepparton, Sydney and Brisbane.

Michelle said her damaged cello could cost in excess of $3000 to repair, but would never be quite the same again.

“I understand that not everyone is aware of how fragile these instruments are, but they are clearly marked as needing special care and so I was very upset to see it in pieces,” she said.

“This is despite going to all sorts of lengths in protecting them – the travelling cases we buy to protect them are designed to withstand huge amounts of force, and they alone cost up to $3000. The airlines really need to be aware that items marked as fragile need to be treated as such. As students we simply can’t afford to be purchasing seats on the plane for them all the time given the amount we travel.”

“However the challenge of being a performer is that you have to rise above the unexpected and get on with the show – which is what we will do in Shepparton, Sydney and Brisbane.”

It is one of many incidences of musical instruments (specifically cellos) belonging to students of the Faculty have been damaged during domestic flights – the occurrence marking the third within a year, according to Faculty of Music Dean, Professor Warren Bebbington.

Professor Bebbington said students spent several years developing intimate knowledge of their instruments and it was discouraging to have to replace them in the lead up to an important performance.

“These students struggle to afford these first-class instruments – which can cost up to $20,000, so they’re seldom in a position to have them repaired,” he said.
“However, the students are dedicated and have demonstrated their professionalism by continuing with preparations with borrowed instruments – despite the disruption that this can cause their studies.”

Professor Bebbington said despite the setback, the students were determined to perform at their best in the coming tour.

The University of Melbourne Orchestra will perform at the Eastbank Arts Centre in Shepparton at 2pm on Sunday 12 October.