The Cattlestops play at Jazz Club
There was lots of ‘‘fusion’’ music at Womad, and you can get still more when The Cattlestops bring their ‘‘Western Swing’’ mix of swing, jazz and country to the Taranaki Jazz Club on April 2.
Songwriters James Cameron and Andrew London are joined by Lance Philip and Nick Granville for original tunes and jazz standards. Doors open at The Mayfair 4pm for a 4.30pm start. Adults $25, Jazz Club members $15, Students $4.
Secondary school musicians from all over the province will converge again for Orchestra Day, this time at Sacred Heart Girls’ College Event Centre, on April 7. Music teachers have been working hard planning the programme, arranging music and preparing the players for an exciting day of working in sectionals with expert tutors and together as a huge orchestra. It’s a chance to meet fellow young musicians and play some exciting repertoire everything from Jupiter from the Planets Suite and the Great Gate of Kiev, to Bohemian Rhapsody and War of the Worlds. It culminates in a public concert at 2pm (entry by gold coin donation). There’s plenty of room in the Events Centre for a large audience, so it would be great to have lots of support for the young players.
The Devon Hotel New Plymouth Brass is heading off to the National Brass Band Championships in Wellington April 21 and 22, but before they go they offer a taste of the contest music they have been working so hard to prepare, with their concert Polished Brass at Saint Andrew’s Church, New Plymouth, at 2pm on Sunday April 9. The programme includes the demanding test piece Dances and Arias by noted British composer Edward Gregson, and Director Leigh Martin’s choice Tallis Variations by Philip Sparke, based on a 1567 hymn tune by Thomas Tallis. The band is joined by bass trombonist and vocalist Daniel Buckingham from Auckland. Guest artists are well known local singer Lisa Abbott and the Fitzroy School Choir, the McFizzys. Admission is $15, children under 16 free.
It will be a busy time for Christopher Luke over Easter, but there are still two lunchtime organ recitals: Tuesday April 4 at St Joseph’s Catholic Church at 1pm and Thursday April 20 at Taranaki Interim Cathedral at 12.15pm.
Operatunity’s next presentation is Glenn Miller and the Andrews Sisters featuring tenor Karl Perigo on Thursday April 13 at 11am at CityWestChurch.
As usual a contingent of Taranaki orchestra, band and choir musicians will be heading to Bay of Plenty Music School, April 21 23 for a weekend of intense learning and fun with expert conductors and tutors. Early bird entries close March 31. Get more information at http://bopmusicschool.org.nz/