Veteran Tamworth muso Bill Forrest reckons it is so rare a musical event they had to take a photo for posterity.
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This trio seems to have made musical history of a different tune – three generations of classically-trained clarinetists who have achieved high notes in academic excellence.
Bill Forrest taught Val Godden, who in turn taught Adam Parker.
This picture, taken by Tamworth photographer Lou Farina, records the exceptional line-up.
According to Bill, it is three generations of holders of the clarinet A.Mus A, or diploma of clarinet performance awarded by the Australian Music Examinations Board, all of them in the same country city.
Bill gained his A.Mus A on clarinet in 1958. Taught by his father, with later assistance from Gabor Reeves, and he’s since played in at least 75 musical productions and countless social events.
He’s even played principal clarinet in Hachinohe Philharmonic Orchestra in Japan, the first amateur to perform with an ABC Celebrity artist (German soprano Rita Streich), and played with jazz groups in Mongolia, Hong Kong, Vienna, Berlin and New Zealand.
He is the founder of the Tamworth Clarinet Choir, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia and is still playing at 83.
Val, who gained her A.Mus A. in 2012, teaches clarinet and saxophone at Tamworth Regional Conservatorium of Music and also at Calrossy Anglican School.
She’s had a hand in at least 40 musical performances, either as principal woodwind or as musical director.
Val is the Tamworth Clarinet Choir director and was appointed Tamworth Citizen of the Year in 2010.
Then there’s the baby of the bunch, Adam, who gained his A.Mus A in 2010.
Adam studies pharmacy at university but he’s also principal clarinet in the Tamworth Clarinet Choir, Tamworth Youth Philharmonic, Regional Youth Orchestra, NSW State Senior Wind Band,
Millennium Marching Band and NSW Public Schools Spectacular Orchestra.
He is one of two sons of Greg and Trina Parker, teachers at Peel High School. He was Tamworth’s Junior Citizen of the Year in 2009.
“I think it’s a unique achievement in music, certainly in Tamworth, and probably in country Australia,” Bill said.
