Another steaming success at station
Sunday’s 10th annual Concert at the Station in Kawakawa was another steaming success, perhaps the best yet, according to committee chairman Frank Leadley.
With the ever-entertaining Mayor John Carter as MC, the concert got off to a rollicking start with the Bay of Islands College kapa haka group, under the direction of Jasmine Maunsell, who performed a spine-tingling set of waiata and haka.
In complete contrast was “the quite extraordinary Diane Brown,” who, blind since birth but with indomitable spirit began learning to play the piano at the age of 3, then went on to master more than 25 instruments.
She exhibited her talents with just three - the keyboard (with yodelling to compete with the Topp Twins), the Irish harp and then drums, with her husband Colin.
“It was an amazing performance that had the crowd spellbound,” Frank said.
Next were the ever-popular Bella a Capella women’s barbershop group, under the leadership of Patti Cooke, a feature of every Railway concert but this time fresh from placing fifth at the world championships in St Louis, Missouri.
Roger McLean, conductor of the Whanga¯rei Youth Orchestra, was there to perform with his family quintet The C4, their contribution culminating in a piece written especially for the concert, which they had just 24 hours to learn.
Meanwhile O¯ pua bass baritone Daniel Morrison was accompanied on the keyboard by Roger McLean for two solos, one in German, which brought out his special vocal talent, before Jack and the Boys delivered their country rock set.
Jack Tane (O¯ haeawai) normally performs his reggae/rock-style music with a guitar, but as part of his recovery from a serious stroke a year ago had been encouraged by his physiotherapist to learn to play the saxophone. And, Frank said, he was amazing, an incredible combination of courage, determination and talent.
The final act was Annette Hawkins and Kim Copedo, whose vocal talent had earned them accolades around New Zealand and overseas.
“Their unmitigated joy in delivering their country music with voices that are a special blend of incomparable harmonies had the crowd singing, applauding, and really steamed up,” Frank said.
He thanked his committee, especially Shirley May, Alexander, of Silver Sound, and the audience for their support.