I remember meeting Fran Tempest in the nineties when Tempest Music operated from her home in Como. Since then I have sent countless clarinet
students to her store for reeds, instruments and books. And she has referred
many people to me for lessons. Fran's talent for building relationships is part of an impressive skill set that has shaped Tempest Music into an iconic and boutique music store.
What do you sing along to?
What music gets your
heart racing?
So many musical
styles connect very deeply with me but one that will always ‘gets’ me is music
from Swan Lake.
What calms you down?
I adore the Albinoni
Adagio for something completely peaceful.
What do you sing along to?
This would have to
be Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive”
Not very highbrow
answers I’m afraid.
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| Tempest Music, 56 Ley St Como |
Tempest is a beautiful retail space with its large windows, wood-paneled
walls and polished instruments on display. And it is not just the environment;
there is a sense of being welcomed like family and the indulgence that comes
from browsing at leisure. How do you manage to create such a warm atmosphere?
My business really
is my life. I have no kids…even have the
magnet on the fridge saying “Oh no I forgot to have the kids”. At a time when everyone else was settling
down and having a family I was having a business. Not necessarily the best
decision in hindsight but that’s how it worked out. My Mum still works five days a week with us at
almost 87.
So it is more than a
business. My staff are a close knit group and are the people I spend more time with than anyone else if you think
about it. We care about each other and
all work to make our business special…hence this is a happy place.
One of my main
philosophies is to help people achieve what they are trying to achieve whether
it is assisting to make the right decision to give a child a chance on a
beginner instrument or advising advanced players. As I have traveled the road to becoming a
professional player and teacher myself I have a enormous pool of experience to
draw from and am always happy to help.
You have a soft spot
for the bassoon – in a previous life you were a bassoonist with the WA Symphony
Orchestra. What is the appeal of this instrument and when did you first begin
learning?
My first instrument
was violin. I started learning this at 13 with Richard Flanigan at Applecross
High School. For year 11 I won a
scholarship to Perth Modern School. At that stage they were only accepting students as
beginners on an instrument so I had to choose something else. Bassoon was my choice. I wanted something different from strings and
not brass. Flute and clarinet were too common - I always like to be
different - and I loved the sound and uniqueness of the bassoon. (Forgot to check the pricetag at this point!)
Did you grow up in
Perth?
Yes I am a Perth girl. I spent four
years away studying bassoon: two years in Adelaide at Elder Conservatorium
studying with Thomas Wightman and two years in the National Training Orchestra in
Sydney studying with John Cran.
When did you decide
you wanted to pursue a career in the performing arts?
I kind of fell into
it. I originally went to UWA doing a
double major in Maths heading for Computer Programming. Around this time I started playing bassoon
with the newly formed WA Arts Orchestra and this is when I changed
direction.
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| String display at Tempest |
When did you dream
up the idea of a retail outlet?
When I started Tempest
Music it was very difficult to get sheet music and anything else I needed for
my bassoon playing. I had to send away
for a lot of what I needed… and of course that was by mail at that time. When I was in Sydney Zephyr Music was a home
based business run by Linda Vogt a flautist established for this very same
reason. When I returned to
Perth late in 1978 I decided to open an agency type business along the same
lines to Zephyr to be able to procure sheet music in particular for musicians
in Perth. I had time on my hands and it
was more of a hobby with no plan for it to even grow to much more than that. It
progressed in this fashion for many years slowly growing and changing shape
while I was a full time performer and bassoon teacher.
Was it a big career
change moving from making music to selling it?
There wasn’t a huge change as I
kept doing both for many years. I ran my
business for many years without taking an income from it. Any profit from sales
was always reinvested into stock. My business was actually created from $200
invested on day one to go toward stamps for introduction letters to
publishers. That is the only investment
that has been made. It has grown from
many many years of ‘unpaid’ work by myself and an enormous amount of assistance
from Elizabeth (my Mum).
How do you find an
outlet for your creative energy now in between organising finance, staff
rosters, phone calls and stocklists?
I
put a huge amount of creativity into my business. I am absolutely full of great ideas. Always
developing some new way to work with different groups of the musicians. For instance we now have a very active
referral system actively matching students with teachers. A real win win situation. We get to know the teachers closely so when
students need a referral we can likewise find out their real needs in a teacher
and put them together.
Following from that
we have now developed an addition to our website whereby we can register
teachers or school repertoire lists so students are safe purchasing the correct
materials.
We are currently
developing a way to work jointly with groups like choirs, bands and parent
support groups to provide solid sponsorship for their projects. My head just doesn’t stop.
Tempest hosts events
and masterclasses in the store. Why have you begun interacting with the
community in this way?
This is very close
to my heart and follows from some of the things I have said already. This reflects really who I am as a musician
rather than just a shop owner. I am now
in the fortunate position where I have access to top artists through their
relationships with instrument manufacturers as well as being personal friends
with many high level teachers and performers.
I love being able to bring students and aspiring professionals into close
contact with these people. I find it
very satisfying to see how inspiring this is. I also find this a
great way to support those wishing to put on various events. I have the infrastructure to be able to
create such events.
Business is tough
for independent stores. How do you manage to stay afloat with the competition
from online retail?
I stay afloat
because of much of what I have already discussed. It's about being different and providing more than other music
outlets. We ares specialists here to keep the customer safe, to help them get where they are going... all
these things other than just making a sale.
We want to create a relationship not get a sale.
Are you still
playing and teaching bassoon?
Yes I
am still playing and teaching. I had up to
28 bassoon students at one stage. Now I
really enjoy remedial teaching which is about fixing technique.
There is so much
competing for the attention of children now: sport, study, technology. Why do
you think learning an instrument is worthwhile, for both children and adults?
Well that’s a whole
essay as you know. We are currently developing a brochure for one our current
initiatives aimed at older beginners discussing the health and well being
effects of learning a musical instrument.
It is so unique in the cognitive and social benefits I’m not really
worthy of answering this really fully.
Actually I have
taken up the piano recently as a new venture to guard against the aging
process! I never learnt the piano as a child but had inherited one from my uncle
many years ago. It is so interesting
after so many years as a professional bassoonist that I find this so
tricky. Learning to read 2 staves and
use my hands independently is really tough. And getting my hands to go in
opposite directions????? Give me a break!
I can almost feel my brain muscles straining.
Do you have a soft
spot for anything else in life or is it all about the music?
My
business is pretty all-consuming and I fear my life is somewhat out of
balance. I have been very active over
the years with the local rowing club even competing at Masters level a year or
two ago. I like to keep fit - cycling, gym
swimming - a bit out of routine right now though.
I love a good movie or
a meal out (sounds a bit like a dating profile, don’t forget to mention I’m
single LOL). With increases in
staff levels I now enjoy traveling more. Most nights though
you will find me stretched out on my couch with my geriatric cat.
| Opening Hours | Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 1pm |
|
By Phone By Fax |
(+61) 8 9450 3539 (+61) 8 9450 3926 |
| By Email | info@tempestmusic.com.au |
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