Veda May Kellock

Interviewer: Gill Poplar

Abstracter: Amanda Corrigan

Interview date: 09 July 2014 Track 1

00:00 Interview identification

00:51 VEDA MAY KELLOCK born 4 January 1931

00:59 Interviewer confirms interviewee’s understanding of conditions and restrictions of recording agreement

01:43 Self born in DUNEDIN – lived there for first 8 years – in 1939 family moved to GORE – FATHER was a SINGER and CONDUCTOR – employed to take CHOIRS to COUNTRY AREAS of SOUTHLAND by W.D.F.F. [Women's Division New Zealand Federated Farmers] – this work took father from GORE up to ATHOL – WAIKAIA – south to MORTON MAINS and EDENDALE

02:40 In 1943 the family moved to INVERCARGILL – then to DRUMMOND – WINTON - THORNBURY – father started 25 CHOIRS in the COUNTRY AREAS – people still tell self they were “in one of your father’s CHOIRS”

03:20 Mother was very musical – fine ACCOMPANIST who taught PIANO and SINGING – self felt privileged to be brought up in a musical family – almost an obsession for self to become a SINGER

03:59 At age of 14 self was doing very well at PIANO – talked to father about giving up PIANO to focus on SINGING – in those days you obeyed your father – by age 17 self had achieved an ACTL ASSOSCIATESHIP DIPLOMA from TRINITY COLLEGE LONDON – father then allowed self to think about SINGING seriously – by this stage self had finished secondary school – thinking of future

04:56 UNIVERSITY taught only THEORY no PRACTICAL involved in training – self stayed at home and played for father’s SINGING STUDENTS – self worked seriously on PIANO and SINGING – by age 20 self had achieved 5 DIPLOMAS – LTCL LICENTIATE OF TRINITY COLLEGE LONDON – top of TRINITY COLLEGE in both PIANO and SINGING – LRCM LICENTIATE of the Royal CONSERVATORY of MUSIC of the ROYAL SCHOOLS of MUSIC – four years later awarded FELLOWSHIP of TRINITY COLLEGE LONDON

05:52 After three years of TEACHING self became a REGISTERED TEACHER – TAUGHT PIANO and SINGING for 40 years – last 26 years specialised in VOICE PRODUCTION – found SINGING very rewarding and challenging – more emotion through the VOICE

06:49 Self had many successful STUDENTS over the years – plays ACCOMPANIMENT for students – Explains

07:14 Very few SINGING TEACHERS coming on – self trained REBECCA RYAN who had been overseas PERFORMING – now back in INVERCARGILL and TEACHING – great for the future

07:41 Discusses what qualities make a good TEACHER – treating people as individuals – building rapport – enjoyment – in MUSIC the emotion must be felt – an ACCOMPANIST must support the SINGER – Explains

09:14 A performer’s presence is very important when PERFORMING – Explains

09:54 Self has enjoyed being a SOLOIST – particularly ORATORIO which includes MESSIAH SOLOS 10:15 CONDUCTING has been a challenge for self – enjoyed these opportunities

10:30 FAMILY atmosphere helped self – Recalls playing DUETS with mother – age 14 playing GIOACHINO ANTONIO ROSSINI’S “WILLIAM TELL OVERTURE” - with mother at various CONCERTS – GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL’S “THE ARRIVAL OF THE QUEEN OF SHEBA”

11:07 CONDUCTING was greatly helped when self was employed by the EDUCATION BOARD under an ADULT EDUCATION SCHEME to CONDUCT CHOIRS – following up from what father did originally

11:31 Recalls at an early age travelling to WINTON to start a CHOIR – all other CHOIRS had DISBANDED – a lot of the SINGERS had come from HEDGEHOPE – DRUMMOND – other areas where father had CHOIRS – very quickly built up a CHOIR of 60 SINGERS – had a better CHOIR in WINTON than there was a CHORAL SOCIETY in INVERCARGILL – self CONDUCTED MESSIAH – self did not perform solos – wonderful to have that number of SINGERS – many men too

12:25 Had another CHOIR at OTATARA – had 40 or 50 SINGERS

12:33 Self had done a lot of VOLUNTARY WORK over the years – a highlight being the WOMEN’S CLUB – where self PERFORMED in late teens – self has been member for 50 years – within the MUSIC CIRCLE of the club – self has seven SENIOR STUDENTS – four are outstanding PERFORMERS – who contribute to the club’s MONTHLY CONCERTS – the top three performers are JULIANA BAXTER – who has a degree from UNIVERSITY of OTAGO – beautiful SINGER – APRIL FISHER – GLENDA WHITE – both very good INDIVIDUAL SOLOISTS – sing DUETS beautifully together – all in their early fifties and continue to improve

15:00 Track ends

TRACK 5

00:20 Continues discussing how skills can continue to improve with age – at age 83 self’s skills as an ACCOMPANIST have improved – Explains

01:01 Self became a REGISTERED TEACHER in 1951 – has served 55 years on the COMMITTEE for REGISTERED TEACHERS – PRESIDENT in 1961 and 1962 – and again 1981 and 1982

01:27 Had a recent CONCERT at the SOUTHLAND MUSEUM – had three STUDENTS PERFORM at – self played ACCOMPANIMENT

01:41 About 25 years ago there was nothing for the SINGING TEACHERS – NEW ZEALAND SINGING TEACHERS ASSOCIATION formed – self was on the FIRST COUNCIL for seven years – self went to meetings in WELLINGTON – these were arranged around a MOBIL SONG QUEST or OPERA got to know teachers from around the country

02:34 Quotes from a citation – My “vocal and accompanying skills have been widely sought by various clubs and organisations, and for my services as an official [?] accompanist for the Caeli [?] Society.” Self made patron for its inception 43 years ago – in charge of live membership and organised all musical items – CAELI [?] SOCIETY now DISBANDED due to lack of people to organise – happening with a lot of CLUBS now

03:18 Self was MUSIC MISTRESS of SOUTHLAND GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL for a number of years – a great challenge – there were 600 girls in the school then – took them for SINGING SESSIONS for forty minutes – while staff had a COMMITTEE MEETING – someone on the PIANO while self had control over all the girls – couldn’t do it today because young people have changed

03:54 PERFORMED as a VOCALIST and ACCOMPANIST for the STUDIO RECITALS for RADIO 4YZ for over 45 years – at age 17 self became a SOLOIST for RADIO 4YZ – after 35 years LOCAL BROADCASTING finished – through those years self kept up three RECITALS a year – some uniformity among them – Explains

05:02 For 25 years of that time self had own STUDIO RECITALS – and ACCOMPANIED for five or six SENIOR STUDENTS’ STUDIO RECITALS

05:26 Interviewer comments “You must be a very good organiser. How did you organise all these things?”

05:35 Did not know how self managed to organise all these things – people today say they haven’t got time – because they have a small family – at age 29 when PRESIDENT of the REGISTERED TEACHERS - self had three little girls aged three, five and seven -– always put FAMILY first

06:23 Involved as a NEW ZEALAND ADJUDICATOR for 35 years – ADJUDICATING for COMPETITIONS all over the country

06:53 Recalls first time ADJUDICATING in OAMARU – had 400 ITEMS to ADJUDICATE in four days – fortunately self was familiar with a lot of the MUSIC – was able to mostly listen and observe PERFORMER’S or COMPETITOR’S PRESENCE during the PERFORMANCE – Explains

07:43 Self loved ADJUDICATING – had to have a clear conscience – would say – “I can’t place everybody, but this is what I’m looking for” – have to know what ADJUDICATOR is looking for Explains

08:20 People kept saying – “I wish we could have you down here” [INVERCARGILL - SOUTHLAND] to ADJUDICATE – self couldn’t as a lot were own STUDENTS

08:33 From age 11 self was a PIANO PERFORMER in COMPETITIONS – from age 17 was a SINGING PERFORMER – from age 23 or 24 was a TEACHER PRESENTING STUDENTS for COMPETITION – still presenting STUDENTS 72 years later

09:30 Details HONOURS RECEIVED – In 1998 self was AWARDED a CELEBRATION OF SOUTHLAND ’98 MEDALLION – “As an appreciation and acknowledgement of outstanding achievements which have brought recognition to Southland” – in 1999 became a FELLOW of the INSTITUTE of REGISTERED MUSIC TEACHERS of NEW ZEALAND - “For her inspiring contribution to music and the community over the past 51 years, the Southland Branch is very pleased and proud present Veda Kellock for election as a Fellow of the Institute of Registered Music Teachers of New Zealand” – quite a prestigious award

10:37 In 2004 self was AWARDED a CIVIC AWARD – by MAYOR of INVERCARGILL TIM SHADBOLT – for VOLUNTARY SERVICES to the COMMUNITY

11:25 Describes the aims of TEACHING – “you don’t just teach people to sing” - likens SINGING to ALLOCUTION – “Good singing is through an extension of your speech, because without the vowel you cannot sing” – Explains

13:04 Details HIGHLIGHTS of MUSICAL CAREER – with own FAMILY - husband JOHN KELLOCK is SCOTTISH - has a beautiful TENOR VOICE – a very valued TENOR A CAPELLA CHOIR for 30 years – and in FIRST CHURCH CHOIR – and other CHOIRS self has CONDUCTED – since husband has retired - have had time to SING DUETS together – have travelled to SCOTLAND together ENTERTAINING GROUPS

14:05 TRACK ENDS

TRACK 6

00:00 Continues describing HIGHLIGHTS of MUSICAL CAREER - ENTERTAINING PROBUS CLUBS and ROTARIANS [ROTARY CLUB MEMBERS] with husband JOHN KELLOCK – would have slides on screen of SCOTLAND – during screening self and husband would SING a SOLO each or a DUET when certain slides appeared – it was very popular – selves PERFORMED in GORE – QUEENSTOWN – WINTON – all the INVERCARGILL CLUBS – it was very special to be able to do that with husband

00:52 FAMILY very musical as well –daughter GLYNN in DUNEDIN SINGS in the DUNEDIN CITY CHOIR – daughter SUSAN is very musical – outstanding STUDENT – has both ATCL ASSOCIATE of TRINITY COLLEGE LONDON – and LCTL LICENTIATE of TRINITY COLLEGE LONDON in SINGING – now has two CHOIRS of her own in QUEENSTOWN – one CHOIR presents CONCERTS at the THOMAS BROWN GALLERY – and is a very successful TEACHER – sought after as a SOLOIST

02:21 Reflects on daughter’s and other former students’ success – has been great for self that it has carried onto the next generation – of the family SUSAN is the one who has extended herself – and REBECCA RYAN TEACHING in INVERCARGILL – and a STUDENT in DUBAI who taught in ARAB COUNTRIES – students all over the world still keep in touch

03:31 Focusing on SOUTHLAND – former STUDENT JULIANA and daughter SUSAN – superb on DUETS – two of self’s TOP STUDENTS

03:56 Self would do the same again if had to live life over again – for 25 years self has CONDUCTED the CHOIR at FIRST CHURCH – when first went to the CHURCH - had eight in the CHOIR – self took over and built up to 25 – more mature people have passed on or are not singing there now – lost some good voices

05:03 Self feels strongly that the emotion of what you do is important – doesn’t matter how good you are as a SINGER or PIANIST – ‘if you haven’t got the emotion and the passion there, you don’t get that rapport with the audience” – “you’re touching peoples’ souls, and you must feel uplifted, music will uplift you” – self feels have been given a God given talent to share with people

06:21 Self was brought up within the CHURCH and the faith – had a great background of MUSIC in the family – self believes our lives are planned – “but, you’ve got to be prepared to do something about it yourself, it doesn’t just happen” – some people could do more

07:13 Recalls being VICE PRESIDENT of TRAVEL CLUB asked to speak about travels – self had worried about talking in front of people – before self’s days as an ADJUDICATOR – part of self-development – self could have said “no” – self could have said “no I won’t do this” [interview] – “but we must take on challenges at every stage of life if we can”

08:07 Recalls upbringing and struggling with shyness – self was to be seen and not heard – when there were visitors – you sat and listened – you didn’t interject or say anything – self was extremely shy – when self first started SINGING – self would gulp in the middle of words from being so nervous – self would say now to a student who was the same – “you’re not extending your vowel” – no one told self that

09:05 Self decided earlier in life had to develop own TEACHING METHOD – had to be own person and prove self was a teacher in own right – become an individual - had not been encouraged to be confident within self – wasn’t given much praise – self gives a lot of praise

10:28 Self reflects – a lot of it is the SCOTTISH thing – SCOTTISH people are conservative – you’re not meant to be any better than anybody else – TALL POPPY – self has never elevated self above people – everyone is equal

11:23 Interviewer: You’re a tall poppy

11:30 Self gets great feedback from STUDENTS and EX-STUDENTS – self is learning all the time

12:28 It was a great challenge to take all the PIANO EXAMS – four hours of practice a day – two hours a day from 5 o’clock in the morning – and two hours later in the day – did that for three or four years to get the PIANO DIPLOMAS

13:30 Interviewer comments: From a shy person you have become a very confident person, confident enough to lead other women. Many women in your generation have not got that confidence.

14:01 Suppression as a young person could have been a contributing factor – not given a lot of confidence as a child even at age 17 or 18

14:58 Interviewer askes how they were affected by the GREAT DEPRESSION

15:00 TRACK ENDS

TRACK 7

00:00 Self was not really affected by the GREAT DEPRESSION or WORLD WAR II – family lived well – when family moved to INVERCARGILL – paternal GRANDFATHER was on his own – family bought a beautiful two-storey home – large enough for them all – and for a MUSIC STUDIO as well

00:59 Describes the property – a quarter of the half acre property was the home – another quarter was the vegetable garden – grandfather was a wonderful gardener

01:18 Details grandfather’s routine – every morning after breakfast grandfather would do the dishes – then out to the vegetable garden – then come in for morning tea and for lunch family had midday dinner – grandfather would do the dishes – then go upstairs shower and change – in summer he would go off to BOWLS with friends – it was a lovely atmosphere grandfather SIMPSON was a lovely man – three grandparents that self was close to - were a great example to self of home life – very fond memories of them

02:21 Comments on the FUTURE of MUSIC in SOUTHLAND – self sees MUSIC developing in a different way to when self was young - with SINGING there are not the people interested in learning CLASSICAL MUSIC – finds this sad – “they don’t want to do EXAMS” – haven’t got the MUSICAL SKILLS to do the exams – expensive fees to sit exams – to sit a FELLOWSHIP is $1500 to enter – self and students enjoy doing ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER MUSIC - three students mentioned earlier do a lot of CLASSICAL MUSIC and singing in languages – perform in CONCERTS at the WINDSOR CLUB – “other than that in the CONCERT SOUTH where do you sing that type of music” – unfortunately a lot of the young people are into singers like LORDE – doesn’t understand it – “young people want to get up and just yell into a microphone”

04:19 This is the same in the schools as well – self has been into schools playing for their EXAMS – self ACCOMPANIES the class – self’s student might be the only one singing a CLASSICAL solo

04:39 There are wonderful BRASS BANDS in SOUTHLAND – SOUTHLAND GIRLS HIGH and JAMES HARGEST COLLEGE – most of the secondary schools have strong MUSIC areas – SOUTHLAND GIRLS HIGH have a very good CHOIR – have been invited to SING up in AUCKLAND took part in the BIG SING – VERDON COLLEGE has very good CHOIR – A CAPPELLA CHOIR does very good concerts – there is the odd good thing – but not what it was in self’s day – “because our music teachers are diminishing” – no young ones coming on – only REBECCA RYAN teaching singing – there are three teachers including self around same age still teaching – not any great numbers just a few pupils – the scene isn’t what it was

06:18 The UNIVERSITY CENTRES have the crème of students – we lose all our good STUDENTS to UNIVERSITY – self has mature students that are constantly improving – self feels very blessed to have this talent and can use it to help people

06:56 Interview ends