Thursday, April 25, 2013

A MARRIAGE OF MUSIC, MERRIMENT AND DELIGHTFUL DECADENCE AT ESK COMMUNITY CHOIR'S HIGH TEA AND HARMONY





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...


Iris Tune
Catherine Conn


Suzanne Clemence 
Joan Fisher & Russell Zammit


Phil Caffin
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.
Tania and Matthew Lukritz - Trumpet Voluntary

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.

By Sue Walker




Mayor Graeme Lehmann and his wife Judy with guests at their table . 




Sophistication in Action


Joy and Warwick Grewcoe

Rosemary Wycherley and Alexis FitzGerald



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