Australian
Screen

Teacher’s notes

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This clip shows conductor Clive Pascoe preparing a large amateur choir to perform Handel’s Messiah in Sydney. The choir, made up of women and men of a range of ages, is shown in rehearsal with Pascoe conducting and giving instruction. An interview with two of the choir members completes the clip.

Educational value points

• Clive Pascoe (1941-2005) was an enthusiastic advocate for the inclusion of popular music in tertiary music education and helped to establish a groundbreaking course at Southern Cross University in New South Wales. Pascoe conducted performances of Handel’s Messiah in Sydney for many years and was widely liked and respected for his skills, sense of humour and love of life, aspects of his personality evident in his conducting style. He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1996 for his contribution to music in further education.

• Pascoe has said of the Messiah that it ‘continues to amaze me, because over 44 years … I would expect that I could say I know it. And every year, every year I find new things’ (www.abc.net.au).

• The Messiah, one of the most loved musical works ever created, is an oratorio by George Frideric Handel (1685-1759), set to words from the King James Bible. An oratorio is a large composition for an orchestra, vocal soloists and a choir. Revered for its beauty and majesty, Messiah is recognised as an outstanding example of baroque music. It was performed for the first time in Dublin on 13 April 1742, and has been performed countless times since. Messiah is a long and notoriously difficult and complex work to perform.

• Handel, a German, is remembered for his concerti grossi (musical compositions highlighting several instruments backed by a string orchestra), operas and oratorios. He spent his adult life in England and was a devout Christian, expressing his devotion through works such as The Messiah, his most famous piece, a depiction of the life of Jesus. Handel’s other popular works include the Water Music suite and Music for the Royal Fireworks. Handel was a major influence on a number of composers, including Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, who called him ‘the greatest composer who ever lived’.

• The role of conductor requires a combination of talents. Conductors are generally musicians themselves, well versed in at least one instrument. They are also interpreters of the composer’s music and communicators of their vision to the members of the choir or orchestra. Conductors focus on intonation, tone, rhythm, style, blend, balance and diction in a performance.

• In the clip Clive Pascoe demonstrates the need for conductors to be skilled communicators. Using eye contact, body language and conducting gestures he leads the group and shares his creative interpretation of the work. A conductor needs to balance people skills and musical skills, authority and charisma, securing respect and commitment from his choir or orchestra while establishing a rapport that will make the performance enjoyable for them and create cohesion.

• The choristers in the clip are all amateurs who have volunteered their time to be part of the choir. Many Australians are involved in volunteer activities in the community and volunteering is seen as a valid and valuable way to spend leisure time.