Mumbai: Earlier this month, between August 5 and 10, Austria’s capital hosted the second Vienna International Music Competition for Solo Instruments, Voice and Chamber Music. With participants from over 21 countries, four Indians have won awards. In the 10-14 years Solo Voice category, 12-year-old Ira Shinde and 11-year-old Vanshi Mudaliar earned silver medals and 12-year-old Alabhya Kamble won the bronze.
And 16-year-old Pratibha Vinayak Kadu won the bronze in the 15-19 years Solo Voice category. All the participants are training at the Rahel O Veena Music Academy under Rahel Shekatkar. “Seeing the Indian flag up there was an amazing feeling,” recalled Shekatkar.
The students had to audition by sending recordings of two Western classical pieces they’d prepared, and selected participants then went to Vienna. “It was the first proper competition I’ve participated in, and also the first time I’ve travelled internationally. It was very exciting,” said Shinde.
For the first three days, the competition offered an optional one-on-one masterclass with jury member Regina Renzowa Jürgens, where the young singers were given feedback about their vocals and taught about the nuances of breathwork and how it affects one’s voice. “She taught us new techniques to make the songs better and gave us tips that we can use in the long run,” explained Kamble. “One of the things she taught me was a breathing exercise where you relax your body and exhale forcefully five time.