Page 7 - Southwell_The Chronicle JULY

ALUMNI FEATURE
K TECWYN EVANS, MUSICAL MAESTRO
ridinge, a small
town 20kms east of Helsingborg, in the south of Sweden is home to Southwell old boy Tecwyn Evans (1979 - 1981) and
his wife soprano Susanna Andersson. Tecwyn is an international conductor and is currently the Director of Music for the Danish National Opera. He studied music at the University of Otago before a Fullbright Scholarship took him to study conducting at the University of Kansas. Tecwyn has conducted numerous operas around the world and has appeared in
concert with many major international orchestra’s including the New
Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the
BBC Philharmonic, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Alongside his work with the Danish National Opera Tecwyn also freelances, this brings him home to New Zealand giving him an opportunity to catch up with family and friends.
Southwell Memories
I have lots of strong and positive memories of Southwell and I often refer to it as one of the happiest times of my education in New Zealand, even though it was for only two and a half years. Some of the friendships still remain and the musical experiences there were very formative in my
early music education. I was a keen cricketer and recall many mornings playing on the school’s generous sports fields. I remember Mrs Cummings the music teacher, my teachers Mrs Reid and Mrs Smith, Major Gay, Mr Roberts, all great personalities; brick making for the chapel and taking part in the musical as a Thog. I still have my Southwell cap, tie and shield from my blazer.
Conducting
My original career plan was to be an Architectural Draughtsman, but through high school music gradually took over. I never thought about conducting until I was given the opportunity in a choir rehearsal one day when the conductor couldn’t be there. A chance opportunity turned into a career passion.
Life as a Travelling Musician
Like any career it has its ups and downs! The constant airports, planes, trains etc. just become part of the job. The lovely thing is meeting new people and working in places you might
not otherwise think of visiting, and experiencing cultures and languages different from your own.
Life Outside Music
I’ve been running since university days, when the cricket and basketball stopped. When you travel a lot it’s a great way to look around a city. I’m a keen DIY’er, having almost rebuilt our house in Sweden and along with my wife’s family have built a new house in the beautiful region of Dalarna,
Photos supplied
north of Stockholm. I’m also a recently qualified Master Scuba Diver.
Career Influences
My parents were both musical, so
they were huge influences early in
my life, along with Mrs Nieuwland
who was my first piano teacher in Hamilton. So many people since then have helped shape me. Karen Grylis who I sang under for seven years in
the National Youth Choir, Jack Speirs my composition teacher in Dunedin, conductor Nicholas Braithwaite, my teachers in the US, and lots of players and singers who have helped me learn. The learning doesn’t stop even now after 20 years.
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