By Jenel Hunt
M is for music and it’s also for movies, memories and Merry Christmas.
With a concert title like that, you can be sure that a breadth of musical enjoyment is in store on Sunday 10 December when members of the Southern Downs String Ensemble tighten their bows, tune their instruments and turn their attention to the joy of performing – along with about 20 members of the Brisbane Regional Youth Orchestra who will be joining them on stage.
The string ensemble, formed by Belinda Lister 12 months ago and now an incorporated association, brings together school-aged children and adults with varying skill levels from beginner to brilliant – and it works like a charm.
The string ensemble, plus piano and a bit of percussion thrown in, will present an eclectic combination under the baton of Malcolm Gamble, who last hosted a concert about five years ago with the Granite Belt Junior Choir and a Stanthorpe male voice choir, Mainly Men.
Golden oldies like ‘I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas’ and ‘Do you Hear What I Hear’ will rub shoulders with contemporary Christmas pieces including ‘Polar Express’ and ‘Do You Want to Build a Snowman’, a Frozen favourite.
Songs from musical favourites like ‘Shallow’ (from a Star is Born) and ‘A Million Dreams’ (the Greatest Showman) will bring another dimension to the performance.
Guest performers vocalists Jill Hulme and Laura Rayney who will sing a series of duets including ‘Flower Duet’ (Lakmé), ‘O Holy Night’ and ‘The Angel Carol’. Local treble Jeremy Lister will present ‘Walking in the Air’, from The Snowman.
The event is being hosted by the Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery and starts at 2pm on 10 December at the Stanthorpe Civic Centre.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for gallery members while children aged 15 and under are free. People can buy their tickets from Humanitix via the srag.org.au website or at the door.
So get in the mood to be transported into the magical milieu of Movies, Memories and everything Mmmmm.
