Man of action Kim Kirkman has three credos that he lives by: “Do it now,” “Catch the energy wave,” “Act.”
And Noosa Chorale singers have responded to their guest conductor for their Magnificat concerts in May with an enthusiasm that’s made even taskmaster Kim, master musician, former Ten Tenor, charcoal entrepreneur and belly breather a happy man.
Kim (49) from Conondale is a professional singer/violinist/harpist plus choir conductor for five choirs on the Sunshine Coast plus a music educator, arranger and instrument dealer.
To find out more, Tune In asked him:
What age were you decided to be a musician?
I was 15. I had lots of wonderful music teachers. One man was very emotional about feeling music, his name was Colin Fox, and he was a conductor. He would get so animated with his conducting sometimes he would knock the cello player’s music off the stand during the performance.
What did you do about it?
I started on the violin when I was six. I didn’t practise and by the time I was 12 the inevitable came. “Look, you can’t really play the violin, why don’t you try the viola?“ So, I mangled that for a few more years and finally gave up when I was 15.
After six months I asked my Mum why I was so sad all the time and she said maybe it because I had given up my music. So I took it back up and decided then that it really was essential for my mental health, which I thought was more important than other people’s ears. I did a Bachelor of Music in viola first, then a post grad diploma in voice and I took up the harp about 15 years ago.
How did the Ten Tenors come about? I understand you were a co-owner, music director and performer.
The Ten Tenors were put together for Channel 10’s 25th birthday party. It was meant to be a one off. We were asked, however, to do more and more gigs. The owner got sick of trying to hold together a bunch of silly boys so offered it up for someone else to take over. My business partner and I decided to do just that. We took it from a corporate act to a profitable business turning over $1 million a year in six years.
When did you leave?
I left in 2001 after six years. Once I was out of the way they got much better!
What do you think of the music for the Chorale’s upcoming concert?
I love the Magnificats we are performing. I think it is very interesting to have such different composers writing about the same subject. Vivaldi’s music is very close to my heart. I have this very strong sense of how his music should be performed. JS Bach is of course the epitome of genius. The CPE Bach is also interesting as a bridging work spanning the rococo period into the classical. It’s really great that we will be performing with professional soloists and orchestra. Working with such class really inspires a choir and I’m absolutely positive we will rise to the occasion.
Is singing good for you?
I believe so. It releases endorphins, makes you fit, keeps the brain active and provides excellent social opportunities, to name just a few of the benefits. Confidence is found inside the belly. I teach belly-breathing to singers. Low breathing will change your life!
What’s life like for you now?
I really enjoy doing lots of different things. I love physical labouring and am just about to start a biochar business. Biochar is basically charcoal that is put on the garden. It aids water and nutrient retention, provides homes for soil microbes and helps plants flourish. It is also a great way of stopping carbon dioxide escaping into the atmosphere.
Magnificat Noosa Chorale. The J Noosa, Friday May 26 at 7pm and Saturday May 27 at 2pm. Tickets $45 at thej.com.au and 5329 6560.
