Tasmanian musician finds her voice through composition after severe ME
Tara Falconer spent years bedbound with myalgic encephalomyelitis. Then she moved to Tasmania. There she discovered she could compose music.
Tara Falconer was a piano student and music teacher. In 2006 she was diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis, or ME.
The condition causes extreme tiredness. Even small physical or mental effort triggers it.
For years she was largely bedbound. She could not play piano.
She could not even listen to some music. Sounds were just too much for her.
After moving to Tasmania ten years ago, her health had been improving. When she was ready to return to music, she discovered something.
She could not play at her old level anymore. Instead she joined ComposersCage, a Launceston community group that meets monthly to write music.
Falconer never expected to compose. She found she could do it from home while managing her symptoms.
In September, five members performed their new works at a concert called New Horizons. Falconer was one of them.
Launceston Symphony Orchestra and soprano Jane Edwards also performed.
- 2006
- Diagnosis year
- Multiple years following diagnosis
- Years bedbound
- ComposersCage in Launceston
- Community group
- New Horizons
- Concert name
Why it mattersIt shows how people can survive chronic illness. They can find new ways to show their creativity and help their community.
AustraliaTasmanian story of recovery and cultural participation through local arts community support.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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