Music heals at hospice show

It has been a hectic time for internationally acclaimed tenor Will Martin, who aside from being caught up in the Christchurch earthquake has just completed a summer tour.
But there's no stopping his enthusiasm to headline next month's "A Touch of Class" fundraiser concert for Waipuna Hospice.
"Summer this year has been about one thing - returning to New Zealand and performing for New Zealanders," Martin says.
Originally from the North Shore in Auckland, Martin is a roaring success in the United Kingdom.
He has based himself there for the past four years and has built a strong following.
At 26, Martin has gone on to become the youngest man in musical history to top the UK classical charts.
But coming home to where it all started has been the motivation behind a summer tour around New Zealand.
The recent release of his second album, Inspirations, might have had something to do with it also.
Martin politely disagrees. "Whilst I have been fortunate enough to have such amazing success in the UK, it stems from my experience here and from people and places here," he says.
"This is about being able to give back.
"In terms of Tauranga itself, it's a very, very big deal."
Martin has performed at Katikati's Twilight Concerts and a New Year's Eve concert at Mount Maunganui before, but never in a show within the city.
During one of these concerts Martin was approached to headline a possible fundraising concert for Waipuna Hospice.
After learning about the care and support the hospice offers terminally ill patients, Martin was keen to get involved.
"For me it's about the stories. Music is an emotional healer."
This is something Martin has had plenty of time to reflect on, after he was caught inside a Christchurch cafe when the quake hit two weeks ago.
Many people he met that morning at the CTV building are presumed dead.
Martin will perform songs from Inspirations, which covers musical greats such as Elton John, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder and Sting.
As a "crossover" singer, Martin mixes things up a little.
"If we were talking about food we would call it 'fusion'.
"It's the best parts of classical and contemporary, like a modern take on a classical piece, but then also it might be taking a pop song and translating it to Italian."
It's this crossover Martin thinks concert goers will like the most.
The acoustics of the Holy Trinity church on Devonport Rd will also bring sound quality to a premium.
Waipuna Hospice fundraising manager Trish Rae said she introduced herself to Martin after a Katikati Twilight Concert and proposed the idea of a fundraiser.
"I could not let the opportunity go by," she says.
However, she is well aware of the devastation caused by Christchurch earthquake and people's need to tighten their purse strings in the aftermath.
"We just hope people will still want to come out and enjoy a wonderful show."
Martin will be supported by local singer and songwriter Jessica Ross and junior "entertainer of the year" Georgia Baker-Trebilco.
A Touch of Class will be held at Holy Trinity church in Devonport Rd on April 3.
People can purchase tickets for $30 ($15 for children under 16) from Waipuna Hospice, Te Puna or Holy Trinity or www.waipuna-hospice.co.nz.