Percussionist Timothy Constable has stepped down as the Artistic Director of Synergy Percussion after a seven-year tenure at the helm. Constable joined Synergy in 2003, was Assistant Director from 2006 to 2008, before taking over as Artistic Director in 2009. Ian Cleworth – Artistic Director of TaikOz – will step in as Interim Artistic Director.

“I have been associated with the group my entire professional life, and director since 2009, and this decision was naturally very difficult to make,” Constable said in a letter addressed to friends and colleagues. “It was easier in the knowledge that the ensemble is in safe hands, with Bree [van Reyk] and Joshua [Hill} committed to continuing this journey of 42 years.”

“Remembering so clearly the impact of the first concerts I heard Synergy give when I was a teenager, I am deeply humbled to have had this long relationship, to have been nurtured by founders and personal heroes Michael Askill and Colin Piper, and of course Ian Cleworth, who is now stepping in to oversee this transition,” he added.

“Timothy brought to the role of Artistic Director an articulate intelligence that continually looked beyond habitual and obvious solutions seeking instead original and innovative ones,” said Synergy Patron, composer Carl Vine. “This resulted “in some extraordinary performances and a distinct aesthetic period that has greatly enriched Synergy’s already impressive history.”

Recent highlights of Constable’s tenure include the 2015 premiere of Earth Cry – the product of a four-year collaboration with Korean smul-noro drumming ensemble Noreum Mach – and 2016’s Cinemusica, co- devised, programmed and performed with the Australian Chamber Orchestra and featuring a new work by Constable for percussions and strings. Constable’s final project as AD was the launch of Synergy’s 40under40, which featured the commissioning of 40 miniature works for percussion and video.

“I am deeply proud of the work the ensemble has undertaken during my tenure as director,” Constable said, “and again thank my magnificent colleagues Bree van Reyk, Joshua Hill and Alison Pratt for their musicianship, support, courage and friendship.”

Synergy Percussion will be producing a concert in honour of Constable later this year.


Timothy Constable’s Letter

Dear friends and colleagues,

I wanted to let you know that I have stepped down from my role as artistic director of Synergy Percussion. I have been associated with the group my entire professional life, and director since 2009, and this decision was naturally very difficult to make. It was easier in the knowledge that the ensemble is in safe hands, with Bree and Joshua committed to continuing this journey of 42 years. I salute these spectacular colleagues and commend their future works to you. Exactly what’s in store is for them to announce, but for my part, it’s time for a change of emphasis – more solo projects, more composing and of course the Sydney Symphony.

Remembering so clearly the impact of the first concerts I heard Synergy give when I was a teenager, I am deeply humbled to have had this long relationship, to have been nurtured by founders and personal heroes Michael Askill and Colin Piper, and of course Ian Cleworth, who is now stepping in to oversee this transition.

I am deeply proud of the work the ensemble has undertaken during my tenure as director, and again thank my magnificent colleagues Bree van Reyk, Joshua Hill and Alison Pratt for their musicianship, support, courage and friendship. There are so many others to thank – Lee, Tim, Karen and all management present and past; venues, guest artists and collaborators (of whom there are literally hundreds), the members of Taikoz, festival directors etc. etc. – that it will simply have to wait for another context to offer properly. For now, let me please thank all of you – who have supported our ideas and work in all of your different ways as audience, donors, vocal advocates – thank you all so very much.

I’m sure you will join me in wishing Synergy the very best for the future.

If you would like to respond to me personally, please do so to ad@synergypercussion.com before I hand the address over in a few weeks.

Timothy

 

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