Colour and harmony in concert

IMPOSTER? A vase by Andrea du Chatenier.

JOAN: It is great to go along to a local concert, knowing that it will be a pleasing event, only to find that it is a terrific occasion that you would hate to have missed. The title of last Saturday's concert, Sing Out, was inviting in itself. Mike and I are great fans of the Wanganui Community Choir, led by the gorgeous Lynn Whiteside. We were intrigued to read that in this performance at the Prince Edward Auditorium they would be joined by the Wellington Community Choir, about which we knew nothing at all!
Our local choir looked great as they walked onto a beautifully prepared, beautifully lit stage. I have to say that the auditorium remains an excellent venue, well-sized, acoustically good and where every seat gives a full view of whatever is presented. Lynn is always so vital and the singers responded to her as they always do, with enthusiasm, enjoyment and fine harmonies. Winners for me were Song of Ruth and their Chess medley. This year, the choir celebrates their 25th anniversary - I well remember their early rehearsals at Four Seasons Theatre - and they have given oodles of pleasure to the city since then.
A larger than usual number of seats in the auditorium were reserved for the Wellington Choir, 92 in all, who were part of the audience for the first part of the evening. Before they took to the stage and our choir took their places, (in only 57 of those seats), delightful Collegiate pupil, Karen Lau, played an Andante by Bach for us all, calmly and gently. A sweet interlude.
The Wellington Choir, known in Wellington as 'the city's friendliest and liveliest choir', then filled the stage. Led by the charismatic Julian Raphael, this choir concentrated for this performance on music from different indigenous cultures. Dressed in bright and varied colours, faces radiant with smiles of enjoyment, the members moved rhythmically as they sang , giving us the impression of being in the countries being celebrated, alongside their people. Choreographed by a vital lady, Lala Simpson, who faced towards the singers and moved with them, the singers were lucky to have a second musical director, Carol Shortis, who mirrored them as well, making sure all moved together and with confidence. Stunning were the four ladies who lined up in front of the singers and accompanied them on drums, and skilled with captivating rhythms. Julian and other choir members strummed guitars at certain moments and the piano played its part. However, when the choir also sang unaccompanied they were thrilling. Mr Raphael is a colourful character, to put it mildly, and his infectious enthusiasm is catching. Everyone responds and the audience was soon clapping and moving to the sounds.
Songs from South Africa were followed by two very lovely arrangements by Julian of Maori favourites, and the choir ended their bracket with two Civil Rights songs, so evocative of struggle, courage and pride. Great moments indeed.
I couldn't wait for the two choirs to perform together. The stage was full! Everyone demonstrated that love and understanding of the extraordinary power of choral singing, and all sang with enormous emotion, sending out such joyous sounds. The haunting Famba Naye, a Zimbabwe song of farewell brought the concert officially to an end, but, encouraged by Julian, choirs and audience continued to unite in song, everyone in the building reluctant to bring to a close such a wonderful happening.
Both Julian and Lynn contribute knowledge, enthusiasm and dedication to many areas of music in their respective cities. They deserve our thanks. Many congratulations to members of both choirs and all involved in making this evening so very special, totally unforgettable.
MIKE: The standard of The Wanganui Orchestra is, in my opinion, quite exceptional for a small provincial city. They seem to be constantly improving, and the audience at Jane Winstone on Mothers' Day thoroughly enjoyed their performance. The establishment's entertainments officer, Jane O'Connell (one of Joan's favourite pupils from Sacred Heart many years ago) explained that 110 chairs, deemed an adequate amount, had been set out, but more had to be found for the large numbers who arrived for the concert. Warm, welcoming, pleasant, the atrium provided an excellent venue.
The programme consisted of several works by Elgar, a couple by Percy Granger and a Ralph Vaughan Williams' piece to begin with. This latter, English Folk Songs Suite, set the tone for the afternoon, Elgar being the archetypal English composer. Chanson de Nuit enabled the string section to display their skills with confidence, while Salut d'Amour is always a crowd pleaser. My favourite, however, was Nimrod, from his Variations, where the lyrical, emotional melody never fails to tear at my heart.
Prior to their finale, the orchestra's conductor, Errol Christiansen, introduced Tim Davies, a singer well known to local audiences. Is there a better performer of 'songs from the shows' in Australasia? I doubt it. Tim's precision, clarity, breathing control and effortless power, along with the purity of his notes, make him a delight to listen to. The three items he selected, Somewhere (West Side Story), Bring Him Home (Les Miserables) and Writing's on the Wall (the latest James Bond film) absolutely thrilled the audience. What a talent!
Finally, Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance. Errol literally bounced into the air to start the orchestra off, and how they rose to his demands! In our global society patriotism is often derided as an outmoded feeling, but I must admit that the rousing Land of Hope and Glory produced a tiny sniffle from me - and probably others too.
Congratulations to all concerned - The Wanganui Orchestra, Tim Davies and, of course, Jane Winstone, for making it possible. We look forward to the orchestra's August concert.
JOAN: Don't miss out on Wanganui High School's production of Midsummer Night's Dream this week, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday in the Whanganui High School Hall starting at 7.30pm. Head of Drama Colin Hedivan says that his production shows us "Shakespeare's whimsical, classical comedy that sees four young lovers, several mischievous fairies and a roving troupe of rude, amateur actors mixed up in a series of comic love games". The play will be "infused with the music of Taylor Swift, sung live by the characters within the show". I am really looking forward to this!
MIKE: Vases of varying size, shape and colour form the theme of the latest exhibition at Emma Camden's Tree Gallery. The opening, in this intimate space, was well attended, providing a convivial atmosphere, enhanced by Emma's decision to omit numbers for the items from the catalogue, encouraging viewers to identify artists by their works. Successful in only two, I was an abject failure, until a GPS for the catalogue was provided, Guide for Position and Situation. Among the objects I enjoyed were Merilyn Wiseman's Echo Vase with Attitude, the handles sitting aggressively akimbo on the hips of the vessel, Janet Green's Tall Vase, in a gritty, grainy grey, David Murray's chunky and translucent Vessel for the New Economy. Favourite? Andrea du Chatenier has produced yet another of her off-the-wall pieces, a large, unevenly formed creation, which may be considered to be an imposter in a collection of vases. With holes all over its body and lacking a basic prerequisite of such an item, namely a bottom , can it be classified as a vase? In my opinion, categorically 'Yes'! With the obvious proviso that it is to be used for dried flowers only! When my friend commented that it looked like an unusual object from the sea bed, Andrea took it as a compliment, since a work of art will indeed convey different impressions to different people. It is an interesting show.
JOAN: Satisfying to see that Debbie and Jenny have settled well into the new premises of Head High in Guyton St. This hairdressing salon has been in its Ingestre St headquarters for as long as I can remember and I am sure there were many clients who were a little regretful when the move was announced. Hairdressing is an art form and, actually, it seems appropriate, now that the move is so well accomplished, that the salon should dwell in the street that is well developed into an art hub. Head High sits alongside Sue Cooke's studio and Rachael Garland's interesting gallery is close by, as is Paige's Book Gallery and the lovely Rayner Brothers. Nice!
JOAN: I was shocked and saddened last week, as Mike and I slipped through the cut between the Avenue and St Hill Street and into the wider space alongside Wanganui Furnishers, to see what appeared to be a bundle of blankets, stretched along a flat piece of cement beside a high wall, was actually a 'down-and-outer' sleeping there, his pack of frugal belongings at his feet. I have never seen this in our city before. Discouraged from going over to talk to him, his presence there mid-afternoon has disturbed me a lot. I only hope life has improved for him.
¦ mjstreet@xtra.co.nz