Music lovers are in for a treat as the Armidale Youth Orchestras present their annual outdoors concert at Chevy Chase this Sunday.
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The Rosemary Leitch Garden Party is the first major performance in 2018 for the Armidale Youth Orchestras, who celebrate their 50th anniversary this year.
“It’s the classic English model of a garden party where there’s live music and fine food, and hopefully we’ll enjoy great weather on the day,” said the AYO conductor Russell Bauer.
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“It’s not just a standard concert where the audience sits quietly, enjoys the program, and leaves. It’s quite interactive; before and after, the audience mingles with the students, and parents have the chance to chat informally with music teachers outside the teaching studio.”
The concert will raise money for AYO, helping to cover tuition costs and purchasing music and instruments.
“Even though essentially it's a fundraiser for the AYO program,” Mr Bauer said, “it's a really lovely chance to show the community what pieces the groups have been working on early in the year.”
The Armidale Youth Orchestras’ concert spans the decades, from Rossini’s sprightly Barber of Seville overture to Enrico Morricone’s “Gabriel’s Oboe” from the 1980s film The Mission.
“It’s just the most beautiful, tragic piece of music,” Mr Bauer said, “so we’re looking forward to presenting that.”
Another highlight will be the Armidale Youth String Orchestra’s performance of three movements from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. While the violin concerti have been adapted for younger players, it is, Mr Bauer says, still a challenging piece.
Composer and wind specialist Paul Marshall will conduct the Armidale Youth Wind Ensemble. Mr Marshall has been commissioned to compose a piece for the 50th anniversary Birthday Bash in August, with funding from the state government.
The concert is named after Rosemary Leitch, former mayor of Armidale, in whose Garibaldi Street garden the first garden party concerts were held more than two decades ago. She now supports it by funding catering, so all profits from the garden party go to the AYO.
“I’m very excited to attend my first garden party as conductor of the AYO,” Mr Bauer said, “and very much looking forward to mingling with parents in a relaxed setting.”
The Rosemary Leitch Garden Party is on Sunday April 8 at Chevy Chase at 10.30am for an 11am start. Tickets are $45 for adults, $30 for pensioners, and $20 for children. Tickets can be bought through trybooking.com.
