Scholarship takes muso to Switzerland
Years later, his talent is about to take him across the world.
The 33-year-old Grey Lynn resident has won a $10,000 scholarship from the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra Foundation, which he will use to travel to Switzerland next week.
A sub-principal clarinet player in the orchestra and Auckland University clarinet department head, Mr Fry will use the trip to progress his career.
He will work alongside and learn from Thomas Friedli, one of the top clarinet players in the world, he says.
Mr Fry will spend up to 20 hours a week following Mr Friedli as he works.
He will also watch him teach and have private lessons.
It will be rather intense, he says.
Mr Fry, who grew up in Melbourne, says he didn%26rsquo;t like the clarinet at first, but strict practice schedules quickly led him to scholarships and eventually to university in Brisbane.
In his last year there he landed the job at Auckland University.
He is now one of only a few musicians who can perform the most challenging pieces for the orchestra.
Mr Fry is also involved in many educational initiatives, including speaking and mentoring young players at schools.
He hopes the trip will give him new teaching skills to bring back home.
Mr Fry is also keen to glean some inspiration from the rich cultures of Europe.
Being a creative artist you%26rsquo;re always looking for something that floats your boat, he says.
It%26rsquo;s all about the history of the music that you%26rsquo;re doing.
Despite his busy teaching schedule, Mr Fry says his favourite part of the job is still live performance.
When you go out on stage time speeds up and slows down it%26rsquo;s an adrenalin rush, it%26rsquo;s very cool.
Mr Fry leaves for Geneva on Monday for six weeks.
After that he will travel through Europe.
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Thursday, January 31st, 2008 at 6:08 pm under