Even before the first strains of Tania and Matthew Lukritz's rendition of '
Trumpet Voluntary' rang out, the 'HIGH TEA AND HARMONY' scene of elegance and grandeur inside and out of the Somerset Civic Centre's Auditorium signalled it was not going to be an exercise in restraint. The decadence of thirty-five High-Tea table settings laying claim to 280 sparklingly stylish guests, all of these hugging the centre place setting for the sixteen piece Ensemble
'Noteabull' including their three exquisite Harpsichords. There was the amazing art works by the Somerset Art Society Inc. and wacky and colourful Guard of Honour depicting the Choir's 35 year history which graced the foyer and all sent out a crystal clear message: Enjoy... and enjoy they did...
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| Iris Tune |
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| Catherine Conn |
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| Suzanne Clemence |
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| Joan Fisher & Russell Zammit |
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| Phil Caffin |
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| Ellise Pope & Marina Crichton |
Introductions aside
and eloquently delivered by the gifted emcee de jour, Rosemary Wycherley,
marching to the beat of their own Trumpet Voluntary, 'The Semitones' and Choir
meandered through the throng to the fore-stage.
It was there where, following the five little Semitones' heart-felt
delivery of the National Anthem, the first of the bracket of beautiful baroque,
Vivaldi's
'Laudamus Te', delivered the
energy and the attitude that was to set the scene for the rest of the day.
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| Tania and Matthew Lukritz - Trumpet Voluntary |
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| Prince and Princesses of the Semitones. |
Bach's 'Triple
Harpsichord Concerto in D Minor' is music which has continued to inspire and
stimulate minds for over three centuries.
This day, alongside the dulcet strains of
Noteabull's strings,
three fine harpsichords played by three of the finest pianists, Naomi Craddock,
Janet Brewer and Amanda Patrick had their audience mesmerized.
Raffles drawn and
delivered, it was again the Esk Community Choir's turn to break loose
putting rock into Baroque and, with
apologies to Bach, delivered some high-octane
'Bach-a-Rock' to the delight of the audience. A change of pace followed with Noteabull's
most beautiful rendition of the "Brandenburg
Concerto No 3", another by Bach, and then it was time for tea.
Like a ballet of butterflies,
Choir members fluttered about the tables amid conversation and conviviality
which flowed in sync with the lilting rhythms of the Baroque music, the pouring
of tea, coffee and the placement of delicious delicacies, tantalizing the most
discerning of tastes.
This truly was a
magical afternoon to celebrate in style the 35th year of a Choir whose final
choral item by Handel said it all. They
'Sing for Joy'.
And if it's more of the
joy of singing that heightens your senses, soothes your soul or floats your
boat, a Variety Concert for the whole family awaits your audience on May 5th,
2.30pm at the Somerset Civic Centre.
Another musical memory in the making.
Even before the first strains of Tania and Matthew Lukritz's rendition of 'Trumpet Voluntary' rang out, the 'HIGH TEA AND HARMONY' scene of elegance and grandeur inside and out of the Somerset Civic Centre's Auditorium signalled it was not going to be an exercise in restraint. The decadence of thirty-five High-Tea table settings laying claim to 280 sparklingly stylish guests, all of these hugging the centre place setting for the sixteen piece Ensemble 'Noteabull' including their three exquisite Harpsichords. There was the amazing art works by the Somerset Art Society Inc. and wacky and colourful Guard of Honour depicting the Choir's 35 year history which graced the foyer and all sent out a crystal clear message: Enjoy... and enjoy they did...
