Musical Director

Musician Chong Lim has worked in the music business for 20 years. He has heard his work played at the Olympics Games, felt the excitement of being on stage in front of 15,000 people and worked on some of Australia’s highest-rating television shows. But after all those experiences, writing music still gives him the most satisfaction.

Creating something from a simple idea and watching it grow from the first note played in his studio to the last note played on stage, is the most exciting part. Lim, who is musical director for Channel 7’s It Takes Two, says he and music were made for each other. “I’ve always loved music and always had a thought at the back of my mind that it would be great to do something that

I loved passionately,” he says. Realising only a lucky few can turn their passion for music into a lifelong career, he did the right thing and made sure he had a Plan B. “Believe it or not, I qualified from Melbourne University as a mechanical engineer with first class honours,” he says. “I loved working as an engineer, but I knew my heart was really in music, so after a few years as an engineer I decided to give music a good go and I told myself that if it didn’t work out after a year, I’d give up and either return to engineering or find a new career.

“I haven’t stopped since. But I have never regretted doing my degree, as it taught me a lot of things that I still utilise to this day in everything I do,” Lim says. As with many people in the arts, it was one big break that allowed Lim to turn his passion into his full-time job. “I’ve had a few breaks in my career but the most significant was joining John Farnham’s band as his keyboard player,” he says.

“It opened up a new world of top-quality musicianship, performance levels and sound quality to me. “It was an exciting time playing in front of 15,000 fans in a stadium instead of 50 people in a pub.” His growing reputation meant that in the past few years organisers of a big event involving music could not proceed without Lim’s input. He composed music for the Olympic Games in Sydney and musically directed the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Though the odd hours he keeps take their toll, for the most part he enjoys his career. “I often work in my studio until four in the morning,” he says. “And going on long tours away from my beautiful and gorgeous family is difficult.

“But I’ve had fun in my career, from conducting the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Olympic Games to conducting the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at Hamer Hall in Melbourne, from mixing a movie score in Hollywood to performing with Olivia Newton-John in Las Vegas, to playing for Kylie in London, it’s been a great journey.” AND if you think the music business is for you, Lim has this advice.

“Work hard, believe in yourself and your dreams,” he says. “Music is a tough business to be in, but believe in yourself. “Make sure your work is of the highest standard. “Aim high. On the other hand, don’t be disappointed by setbacks, and there are lots of them along the way, believe me. But the good experiences and successes make everything worthwhile.”