Praise
This book hits all the right notes!
With Big Music, Gillian Wills invites the reader to explore the world of performing arts eduction - in particular music - and what a fascinating universe to spend time in!
Welcome to Turalong Music School, where classical music reigns, while rock is tolerated. Where the music is indeed ‘big’, but the egos are often bigger.
And here we meet our protagonist, 32 year-old Beat, short for Beatrice, a gifted pianist whose talent has not reached the heights of concert world acclaim. Instead Beat has turned to teaching…that is, until the school suddenly and unexpectedly appoints her to the role of Dean of Music.
What ensues is a rocky expedition of self-examination that ultimately leads to empowerment for the loveable Beat and I was with her every step of the way.
I really enjoyed this book! It is moving and funny. The characters are quirky and lovable, and the storyline is very relatable for those working in the education or the arts. Highly recommend.
As comforting and enjoyable as any women's fiction book and also unlike any I've ever read!
We read in order to inhabit worlds other than our own and BIG MUSIC enabled me to do just that!
What I don't know about classical music could fill a song book thingy (see?) which is what made reading this story so special. We meet our protagonist Beat (short for Beatrice—genius!) as she takes the reins as head of Turalong Music School. She's young and a woman so, naturally, everyone is a jerk about it.
Much like Ginger Rogers tap dancing backwards and in heels, Beat is put through her paces but rises to the challenge in a way that is relatable and endearing. Is she sure of herself? No! But is she giving it a red hot go and throwing her heart and soul into it anyway? Yes! She is all of us. In the mix, to further complicate her life, her dick husband does dickish things and she's not even sure who she can trust at work. There's drama and intrigue and a spot of mystery too.
All this would be ample but what I adored above all else was Gillian Wills' obvious passion for music of all genres. She flits from Rachmaninoff, to Taylor Swift, to Hilltop Hoods with equal reverence, and the way she describes music is nothing short of sublime! Much of the stranger-than-fiction fodder was drawn from Gillian's own life which adds another layer of wonderment to this novel.
This is as comforting and enjoyable as any women's fiction book and also unlike any I've ever read! What doesn't sound great about that?
January 2025
A rollicking read: It's a rare book that can make institutional politics compelling and relatable (to those of us who are mostly outside the institutions). Big Music achieves this. I really enjoyed spending time in its pages.
18 November 2024
I enjoyed Big Music. Having worked in art colleges I well recognised the territorial tussles and emotional outpourings. Yes, it's set in a music school but in reality it's an insightful study of the foibles of human behaviour.
13 December 2024
An fascinating read into the world of music: What an interesting novel in the world of music, music-making and music education with a touch of romance and intrigue. I loved it.
6 December 2024
Better than binge watching on a screen: I really enjoyed this book. Reading feels so much more rewarding than binge watching. The characters are interesting and believable. There are lots of dynamic relationships - both professional and personal as the characters navigate life in and outside of the university. It's a great behind the scenes reveal of the world of professional musicians and the tensions between classical and more modern genres. I finished reading this a few weeks ago and the characters are still with me. Great book!!
5 January 2025
I read this book twice. This is rare for me. As usual, I read this fiction book quickly to find out what happens in the story. I am not a musician and I have rarely attended live performances but it was a good story with lots of relatable descriptions for a resident of Brisbane who simply enjoys music without knowing much about it. Then I found out that the book had its own Spotify playlist that includes all the music mentioned in the story so I read it again more slowly, using the playlist to add an extra dimension. I learnt so much more about what it takes to be a professional musician from the second reading; I enjoyed the descriptions of the Brisbane wildlife and I was quietly proud that I recognised so much of the music.
8 November 2024
Great book! Beat (Beatrice) is suddenly promoted to be director of a troubled music college which trains rock and classical musicians. She stops at nothing to restore the college’s reputation but there are many obstacles including economic pressures, sexism, staff rivalry and a baffling boss.
I found Beat’s world fascinating and couldn’t stop turning the pages. I was glad she had her small farm on the edge of town, her safe place with her horses. There are surprising twists and turns to the story, including an unlikely romance and an appearance by Beethoven’s ghost. This is a great read!
27 October 2024