Auckland Philharmonia speaks with composer Kirsten Strom ahead of the performance of her new piece at our Strings Under the Stars concerts at Auckland's Stardome Observatory & Planetarium.
Introduce yourself and tell us about your musical journey so far!
I'm Kirsten, a composer, singer-songwriter and arranger from Auckland, New Zealand. I have an eclectic heritage, ranging from Swedish to Māori, with quite a bit of Celtic thrown in there too. I was inspired to write my first song when I was nine, after a life-changing spiritual experience. The songs kept on coming, and before I knew it, I was choosing to study composition at the University of Auckland. Opportunities came my way, and I was always over the moon to be invited to participate in projects. Highlights include hearing my piece Ice played by the NZSO, winning the Orchestra's Choice Award, and being mentored by Kaija Saariaho as part of a festival in France. Taking my studies further saw me boarding a plane for London to study a Master of Music at the Royal Academy. Now I’m settling back into Auckland and seeking out freelance opportunities as a composer, arranger and mentor.
What work have you previously done with Auckland Philharmonia?
In 2017 I was incredibly honoured to be chosen as the Young Composer-in-Residence. I wrote three pieces for them, including Wake-up Call for orchestra, a playful critique of our smartphone-obsessed society. There was an amazing concert in the Town Hall, packed with students who started stomping and clapping along with the piece! This was one of my highlights as a composer! More recently, I have done arranging projects for Auckland Philharmonia Learn & Participate, and written my newest piece, The Heavens Declare the Glory of God!
What inspired you to write a piece for performance in Stardome?
My sister Jasmine and I had always dreamed of having my music performed in a place where the audience could look up and see the stars. This project was an extension of that idea, and I am so thrilled to see it coming to life!
You’ve written quite a few works about space. Where did your love for space and the universe come from?
Stars have always inspired me, from an early age. When I look at them, I always think of God and how amazing it is that He created such a vast universe. In recent projects I have enjoyed deep diving into facts about stars, radiance, and specific galaxies such as those in Stephan's Quintet.
How did you work with Stardome’s astronomers to design the visuals for your piece?
After an amazing initial session at Stardome, which formed my inspiration for the piece, I went back to finalise the visuals for my finished piece I discussed my vision for each movement with the astronomer and gave exact timings of events. We selected the most stunning nebulae to use, as well as thinking about pacing and how to make each movement visually exciting. I am so grateful to the Stardome staff for their amazing energy and time for this project. I am also very excited to hear my piece come to life with such stunning live musicians! I have enjoyed working with Miranda, Charmian and Ashley before.
What does the next few years of your career look like? What else is on the horizon?
After a lovely residency with Avondale College (I was a former student there), writing and mentoring students under Creatives in Schools, I’d like to work more with schools as a composition mentor. I would also like to get back into conducting, having previously conducted two school orchestras. In terms of my own composition, I am currently in talks about a children's opera, a concerto, and a string quartet for Jade Quartet. I would of course like to keep working with Auckland Philharmonia on further projects, whether composing, arranging, or mentoring.
What’s one piece of advice you would tell young aspiring composers at the beginning of their careers?
My advice is to work with performers as much as you possibly can! Get every piece you can workshopped or performed. It is often in the rehearsal process that you learn the most as a composer, interfacing with live musicians and learning from their expertise. Plus, it is incredibly exciting hearing your own music live! It makes it worth all the effort.
Strings Under the Stars
7pm & 8.30pm
Thu-Sat, 19-21 September
Thu-Sat, 26-28 September
Stardome Observatory & Planetarium
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