In search of experience

Press, 13 May 1987, Page 22

In search of experience

Sarah Bell’s motive for entering the Mobil Song Quest is experience. The Christchurch soprano is not fond of competitions but the opportunities for singing in New Zealand are all too few.

And she acknowledges the prospect of a money reward is an extra incentive.

“You need that if you are going to make it.”

Making it, she believes, means going overseas. It is impossible to make a living singing in this country, she says. Singers need experience and money to break into the music world Overseas and that is where the Mobil Contest comes in.

“Realistically ... it is experience I am wanting and a little exposure.”

She believes she was better prepared this year for the contest than she was two years ago when she entered as a 20 year old. Then she was a semifinalist. Now determined on a music career, she is a little sad that that means going overseas.

“I .love New Zealand and my family is here.” Family is a large part of her singing. She comes from a musical family and her father, Alistair, is her teacher.

“I’m very lucky. We get on well enough that I can learn from him. People ask how it can work, but it does.”

She began formal lessons with her father four years ago. Another teacher is Christopher Doig, to whom she goes for help

with interpretation and language. She agrees that her interest in music and singing was virtually inevitable in light of her background. Her great-grand-father, Arthur Bell, was also a singer. But the choice to give away a commerce degree in favour of music studies was hers alone.

She does not regret it for a moment, in spite of the risks. “I love music. I have to try.” '

So far this year she has given a few public performances. Last week-end she competed in the “Evening Post” aria contest in Wellington.

Later this month she will perform Mozart’s Requiem with the National Youth Choir in Hamilton and Auckland. •

Next month she will sing the role of Frasquita in "Carmen” for the Canterbury Regional Opera Trust.

Her plan is to complete her bachelor of music degree this year and she hopes to be overseas studying next year. That study will probably be in an institution.

“I believe it will be easier overseas. Just watching other singers you can learn so much. And the culture is important. It feeds you to carry on. New Zealand really is isolated.” All the difficulties and risks aside, Sarah Bell is determined on a. singing career.

She says she is working towards that regardless of the Mobil Quest. Success in the contest would be a bonus.