Manx Violinist, Katie Jackson talks to us about performing with The Hallé
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your connection to the Isle of Man?
I was born and raised on the Isle of Man. I went to Ashley Hill Primary School, where I started violin lessons with Melvin Booth, then on to St Ninian's High School. I played in the Manx Youth Orchestra and later, the Isle of Man Symphony Orchestra.
I graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama with a BMus Honours 1st Class in 2008 and from Guildhall School of Music and Drama with a Master of Music in 2009. I led a busy freelance career in Scotland before being appointed to the first violin section of the Hallé Orchestra in January 2020.
I now live north of Manchester with my husband and 3 children.
How long have you been a violinist and performing with The Hallé?
I started violin lessons when I was at primary school. I wasn't very good for a long time, but my parents encouraged me to keep playing. When I was a bit older they told me if I failed my grade 5 exam I could stop - I was a bit disappointed when I passed it by 3 marks!! But eventually I got a bit better and decided to pursue a career in music.
I was appointed to The Hallé Orchestra in January 2020 but couldn't start my job until September 2020 as we were in a pandemic and all live performances had stopped. The first work I did were some socially distanced concerts filmed for digital release. The first pieces I performed were Metamorphosen By Richard Strauss for 23 solo string players and Brahms Symphony number 1 with Sir Mark Elder.
What is your favourite piece to play with the Orchestra?
It's hard to pick out just one... One of my favourite pieces to play is Ein Heldenleben by Strauss - very challenging and so dramatic! It has an amazing violin solo in the middle too - the Hallé are performing it in October which I can't wait for!
I always love playing a bit of Tchaikovsky too!
What is your earliest performing memory? What piece did you perform?
I remember the big Christmas concerts with the Manx Youth Orchestra - carols, tinsel and party poppers! Playing with the junior orchestra must have been one of my earliest performances - I must have been 8 or 9? I definitely remember playing Sleigh Ride when Janet Warburton was conducting - such a fun piece!
How did you become involved performing with The Hallé?
A first violin position in the Hallé was advertised which I applied for. After a successful audition (I had to play a series of orchestral excerpts to a panel of musicians from the orchestra), I performed with the orchestra several times over the course of about 10 months. I then received a lovely phone call from Sir Mark Elder offering me the job. My family and I lived in Glasgow at the time, so we decided to pack up and move to Manchester so I could take the job.
Here's a video I made for the Hallé explaining how orchestral musicians get their jobs.
Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to perform in an orchestra or as a soloist?
If you enjoy playing your instrument, go and join some kind of ensemble. An orchestra, wind band, rock band, whatever you like! For me, performing with other people is the best thing. Both for making new friends and for mutual inspiration. Working with others will definitely help you improve, all the while hopefully having a lovely time.
If you want to pursue a career in music, obviously you have to practice. A lot. And become a master at your craft. But as long as you love it, then go for it! I hope all the young people coming to play with the Hallé on the 24th of July will have a brilliant time and be really inspired by the orchestra - I certainly was the first time I played with them... I'm really looking forward to it!
Image via The Hallé
The Hallé Orchestra perform at the Villa Marina on Saturday 23rd July at 7.30pm. Tickets are available by visiting:
https://www.villagaiety.com/whats-on/the-hall%C3%A9-with-special-guest-benjamin-grosvenor/
