They all incorporate musical extemporization or more simply, musical improvisation.

Improvisation combines performance with composition to create immediate spontaneous, in-the moment music. 

Improvisation can be a response to other musicians or a musical idea and is skill honed from instrumental technique and artistic performance and some performers have based their entire career on improvisation. 

One such performer is Mitchell Conservatorium musician Annie Burbank who will be performing her unique blend of original solo piano compositions and improvisations around well-known folk, rock, spirituals and sacred music at concerts in Bathurst and Lithgow. 

“I started my formal musical training at 10 with piano lessons and began flute lessons at 12,” Annie said. 

Annie has also studied composition with Peter Sculthorpe and Dr Eric Gross and after completing university, Annie lived in Europe and Britain for three years, playing in restaurants, teaching and learning German.  

“After I returned to Australia I continued teaching, performing and recording solo projects and collaborations.  

“I also taught myself the clarinet and saxophone,” she says.

As the Saturday night resident pianist at Echoes Restaurant in Katoomba for the past eight years, Annie displays a unique understanding of the possibilities of the piano through her own compositions, and a distinctive ability to weave her own improvisations into well-known melodies. 

Annie’s concerts are taking place on Saturday, December 1 from 7.30pm at the Mitchell Conservatorium in Bathurst and Sunday, December 2 from 3pm at the Hoskins Church in Lithgow. 

Tickets are adults $20, concession $15 and school age children free.

For all booking information and further details go to www.mitchellconservatorium.edu.au or call (02) 6331 6622.