A FREE “warm-up” concert at Marian Grove Retirement Village on Saturday the 24 May will be performed by the Coffs Harbour City Orchestra.
Called Potpourri, the concert features a mix of musical items from a range of genres; Jazz (Duke Ellington), Big Band medleys, Musicals and Opera (The Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Carmen), Movies (The Sting and The Entertainer) and a range of French classics.
The concert precedes a ticketed event for the orchestra at the Wiigulga Sports Complex on Sunday 25 May at 2pm.
A special feature of the concert will be a group of young string players who will perform some ensemble items.
“These young musicians have joined our orchestra to increase our strings section and will also play some items they’ve recently played in fundraising concerts for their upcoming trip to Europe with the Regional Youth Orchestra,” Coffs Harbour City Orchestra spokesperson Cathie McIntyre told News Of The Area.
In less than two months, they will be touring Germany and Austria, performing in cities such as Berlin, Salzburg, Wachau, and Vienna with travel costs at $10,000 per person.
Each of these students won a sought-after position in the touring orchestra, with several securing principal seats, “an outstanding success for the Coffs Harbour music scene”.
With the significant costs associated with this trip, the students have been hard at work raising funds throughout the past two months.
“It is an incredibly exciting opportunity for these young, accomplished locals to perform on international stages and Coffs Harbour City Orchestra is delighted to sponsor these talented young musicians and has donated $500 towards their trip,” Cathie said.
The community orchestra is made up of 46 volunteer players and Musical Director Tim Egan.
In 1995, Coffs Harbour City Council designated the orchestra as the City’s Official Orchestra.
“The Coffs Harbour City Orchestra is a non-profit incorporated association, and the players are unpaid volunteers, who play for the love of music, and the satisfaction experienced in bringing that music to audiences,” Treasurer David Fayle told NOTA.
“The Orchestra performs free of charge; regularly for aged care facilities, and at Botanic Gardens and Christmas community concerts.
“Putting on concerts and running the orchestra is costly, and to cover those costs, the orchestra needs to charge entrance for at least half the concerts they play each year.
“Costs include concert and rehearsal venues, orchestral music scores, insurance, printing, advertising, and payments to co-performers.”
Donations are always welcome.
By Andrea FERRARI
