Meet the Musician | Chloe Higgins

How and where did your musical journey begin? 
My musical journey began in primary school, in Adelaide, when I started playing the flute. I loved being involved in all things music and I desperately wanted to attend the Special Interest Music Program at Marryatville High School but I knew the selection process was pretty competitive. When the teachers there suggested I take up the tuba in order to be considered, I jumped on the opportunity. I have some great memories from high school, being involved in an overload of bands, orchestras, and choirs. 

When did you realise you wanted to become a professional musician? 
Right from the beginning I always secretly hoped to become a professional musician but it felt like a bit of a crazy dream. It has actually been the moments where I was unable to practice or perform for extended periods that it became clear to me that I couldn’t imagine doing anything else with my life. When I was working non-music jobs finding myself getting progressively out of shape on the tuba, or being very unwell and unable to play, I found the fuel driving me to pursue this career. 

Do you have any stand-out concerts or performances during your time with WASO so far? 
Some immediate stand-outs have been Mahler 8 and selections from Wagner’s Ring Cycle. Some other pieces that were less well known to me and were a treat to perform were Shostakovich’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in A minor, and Franck’s Symphony in D minor.  

Describe a typical week in the life of a tuba player. 
A typical week has looked wildly different at different times, and I’m looking forward to continuing to figure out what this will look like in the future as I work with WASO. Rehearsing, practicing, performing, good food, and knitting are almost always present.  

What’s the most challenging piece of music you’ve ever had to play and why? 
In 2020, I performed Christian Lindberg’s concerto for tuba and orchestra, Panda in Love, for the final round of the Jeju International Brass and Percussion Competition. I was incredibly lucky to be selected for the final round with a close friend and we were able to prepare the piece together. This piece pushed our limits of technique, endurance, and sanity, and drove us to rename the piece with titles like “Panda has a panic attack”, “Superspeed Panda”, and “Panda should really take it easy”. Despite the stress, it brings a big smile to my face to think back to preparing that piece together now.  

What’s your most listened to non-classical track or artist? 
When I am not playing the tuba, I spend a possibly unhealthy amount of my time listening to music, and every year I’m a little worried about what my Spotify Wrapped is going to tell me about myself. I love prog metal/rock and folk music, and some of my most listened to albums from 2024 have been Charcoal Grace by Caligula’s Horse and Melodies of Atonement by Leprous.