Talented USQ student to play saxophone in Japan

University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Springfield campus education student Petah Ritson is one of 35 students to be selected to participate in the Logan Youth Music Exchange (LYME) touring the Japanese city of Hirakata in September.

The 19 year-old Camira resident will play tenor saxophone at various venues across the city including schools, public and Mayoral functions, a major concert and a performance in the railway station during the 12 day tour.

Petah said the LYME group consists of three performing ensembles – the String/Chamber Ensemble, Stage Band and a combined Symphony Orchestra.

'We will play a selection of popular classics, Broadway and film scores,' Petah said.

'Each concert will feature major works by Japanese local composers and Australian works and will finish with a spectacular combined ensemble of all the youth musicians from all the countries invited.'

This will be Petah's third trip overseas with LYME as she has already performed in Japan in 2006 and in China in 2007.

'I am really looking forward to catching up with my homestay family in Japan again.

'I was very lucky to stay with a family that could speak English as the husband was an American who had married a Japanese woman, so it made communication much easier.

'The most challenging part of a trip like this is talking to the other international students who don't speak English. It can get really complicated when you are practicing before playing together.

'We all have music in common however and there is a great interest in how students from each country learn to play.'

Petah has only just finished another tour through northern Queensland during the mid semester break, with the Brisbane Youth Orchestra.

'We toured quite a few places including Rockhampton and Gladstone, playing in many interesting venues such as the Capricorn Caves.

'It was precarious getting our instruments into the caves as we had to walk them across wobbly little bridges and when we started playing there were bats flying above us.'

Petah has been learning the clarinet since year 4 and saxophone since year 11 and looks forward to one day becoming an instrumental music teacher herself when she finishes her Bachelor of Education (Primary and Middle School).

'I would like to make learning music more fun for my students. A lot of my friends dropped out of music because while they liked playing instruments they found the classes boring. I'd like to change that.'

Participants in the LYME program are paying all expenses themselves while touring in Japan.

If you would like to sponsor Petah during her trip to Japan or make a donation please contact the LYME Music Director, Shaun Dorney on dorney@powerup.com.au or 0411 644 028.

Media Contact:  Jo-Ann Sparrow, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4119 or 0428 102 979