Get to know Kim Falconer, ASO’s Principal Flute
- Meet the Artists
- Musician Spotlight
The orchestra’s newest section principal, Kim Falconer, shares her most joyful ASO experiences so far, her life off stage (and under the sea!), and what she’s looking forward to in 2025.
What sparked your journey to begin playing the flute, and when?
I began the flute at age 8 in the band program of my primary school in Melbourne. The band actually wasn’t accepting any more flutes, as there were already too many young eight-year old girls who all wanted to play the flute. But for some reason I was obsessed with the idea of playing it (probably because it was the shiniest and cutest looking) and I wasn’t interested at all in any of the other instruments.
My mum very kindly wrote a letter explaining to the band conductor explaining that I was only interested in the flute and asking if it was possible to make an exception. Luckily that band conductor was very understanding and actually ended up teaching me herself! I was so excited to play the flute, that I tried teaching myself before my very first lesson. I could make a sound, but didn’t realise I was holding the flute around the wrong way!
You’ve been our Principal Flute since April 2024. What’s your favourite concert so far?
One of my favourite memories so far was the third Rachmaninov concert, featuring Copland’s Appalachian Spring, Barber’s Violin Concerto, and Rachmaniov’s Third Symphony. It was such a demanding and challenging time performing three programs in two weeks, so to get to the last concert felt like a huge achievement. It’s one of the favourite performances I’ve ever done and when audience started applauding, I couldn’t take the smile off my face!
What are you looking forward to performing most in 2025?
There is a concert in the 2025 season that I am extremely excited about. It is the concert opening with Debussy’s Prelude a l’apres midi d’un faune and ending with Brahm’s Fourth Symphony (Brahms: The Symphonies – Concert 4). Both of these pieces are two of the biggest orchestral excerpts for the flute, so to play them both in the same concert will be very special. They are also two of my favourite pieces of music.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not performing or practicing?
I have my Deep Water 40m Scuba Diving Certification (in addition to my Open Water 20m and Advanced Course 30m certifications). So I’m an avid Scuba Diver, and very passionate about marine life and exploring the underwater world.
I do most diving during the day, but I’ve done a bit of night diving and cave diving also.
Other water sports I enjoy are kayaking and surfing. I also love dancing and making art, dabbling with painting in acrylics and alcohol inks in particular.
Kim’s chair can be supported through our Musical Chairs program. If you would like to get to know her better, and get closer to the music, please contact Philanthropy Manager Lucy Eckermann on (08) 8233 6263 or EckermannL@aso.com.au