Passing the Torch

In the middle of her daughter Emily’s performance in the Otago District Rounds of the Chamber Music Contest, Philippa Fotheringham’s Garmin watch told her that her heartrate was abnormally high.

As a previous contestant herself and now a flautist with the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, Philippa remembers the thrill of performing on stage when she was Emily’s age. “Obviously, I was feeling the nerves on behalf of the kids,” she says.

Both her children, Callum and Emily, are veteran competitors in the Contest. Callum, an oboist, is now in his first year of university studying music as part of a Bachelor of Arts. He still plays chamber music with an ensemble, and also plays with the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra. Emily, a flautist like her mother, reached the Southern Regional Finals this year with her group, Make Some Moyse, who also won the KBB Award.

The family’s shared love of music began unexpectedly when Philippa’s father brought her a recorder after a work trip. She soon moved onto flute, inspired by the James Galway records her mother used to play.

Growing up before the era of Netflix and social media, Philippa says music was simply something “really fun to do outside of schoolwork.”

For Callum and Emily, it was part of the household environment – something they grew into naturally, hearing their mum practising at home.

“I remember saying I wanted to play flute, and [Mum] asked, ‘Is it because I play flute?’. And I don’t think it was,” says Emily. “I just wanted to try it out and it kind of stuck.”

Callum says he was actively encouraged not to learn flute, so he took up the oboe instead.

Philippa says music became a release. “Reflecting back on my high school years, I appreciate just how much of a safe space the music community was, a really tight knit group of like-minded kids.”

Being in a group with her two best friends was the highlight of her experience, plus it meant they could skip a less-favoured class for rehearsal.

That sense of connection is something Callum and Emily have also experienced. One of Emily’s trio members had been in her flute class. Then, on the first day of high school, they were placed in the same class, and they bonded over music. “And it just kind of went from there,” Emily says.

Callum has maintained friendships with his former ensemble members too. One of them now studies at the same university, and they both play in the Youth Orchestra.

The two siblings also played together in Contest ensembles, and they grew closer through the experience. “We were friends the whole way through!” Callum insists.

“I don’t think we ever had major disagreement,” says Emily. “We probably got a little bit annoyed at each other at times.”

“Artistic differences, should we say?” Philippa adds. “Sometimes big brother thinks he knows best.”

Both Callum and Emily agree that one of the most rewarding aspects of the Contest has been the coaching from New Zealand Symphony Orchestra musicians.

“A couple of years ago, we met Bridget Douglas and she helped us improve our piece,” Emily recalls. “Especially as she’s Principal Flute of the NZSO and we were a flute trio, it was really, really cool. We all look up to her. And when she comes to Dunedin and she sees us, she says hi. Making these connections has been really, really fun.”

While they’ve played together in orchestras, the Fotheringhams have never formed a trio on their primary instruments.

“We have done some dabbling at home, like practising. And we’ve got together and sightread,” says Emily.

“We’ve done duets,” Callum adds.

“But as a trio, no,” says Philippa.“That would be interesting,” Emily suggests.

“I think we should,” adds Callum.

Philippa considers it. “Yes, maybe now that the two of you are a little bit older and less likely to… fight.” Her children laugh.

“Probably the last time we tried, we were all at very different levels,” Emily observes. “Now we’re all more experienced.”

In honour of the Contest’s 60th anniversary, and to keep this wonderful legacy going and growing for the next 60 years and beyond, will you support future Kiwi musicians by giving $60?