It will be a family affair when generations of musicians and singers come together for the next Central Coast Philharmonia concert on 26 November.
Family members, plus Central Coast Conservatorium teachers and students past and present, will be performing Dan Forrest’s 2018 choral work Lux with the choir at St John the Baptist Catholic Church in Woy Woy.
The Philharmonia – under the direction of Central Coast Conservatorium Artistic Director Patrick Brennan – will be accompanied by the Central Coast Youth Orchestra and Childrens’/Youth Choir.
Central Coast Conservatorium Marketing Manager Geraldine Cardozo is more used to being in the audience, watching her son Xavier play bassoon on stage. But it is going to be a family affair for the Philharmonia Choir alto when she sings alongside her son, who plays with the Youth Orchestra.
“I love to watch Xavier perform with the youth orchestra, so to be able to be on stage performing alongside him is going to be very special,” said Geraldine, who joined the choir earlier this year.
It will also be a memorable concert for Philharmonia singer, Graham Penn will also be performing with his grandson, Cooper Newton, who plays double bass with the orchestra. This will be the fourth concert the pair have performed in together.
“It is a joy to share and perform music across the generations. Cooper’s many performances with various Conservatorium ensembles has been an inspiration to us all,” said Graham.
The concert will also feature performances from local acapella ensemble Ebb & Flow and the choir will be accompanied by soloists Bee Haslam and previous Richard Newton Senior Vocal Student Scholarship winner Grace Mitchell.
Bee joins their mother, former Opera Australia soprano and choir member Anne Haslam, and will also be singing solo for the choir’s show-stopping rendition of This is My Wish.
Central Coast Conservatorium Artistic Director Patrick Brennan said the concert is a not-to-be-missed event for all music lovers.
“Lux is an incredibly beautiful work for choir and orchestra. This collaboration is a wonderful opportunity for the Central Coast Philharmonia Choir and Central Coast Youth Orchestra to take a musical journey together on some amazing repertoire that is atmospheric and emotionally charged. This is a performance that will move the audience and is a clear demonstration of community music-making at its finest.”
The Central Coast Conservatorium is a long-time supporter of the Philharmonia Choir, with members including teachers, current and former students and parents of Con students.
The concert will also include a solo piano performance from Lilli Naulu and 2022 Richard Newton Central Coast Philharmonia Vocal Scholarship Winner, Mia Cross.
About Dan Forrest’s Lux
In five movements, this work explores various aspects of light, with texts ranging from ancient liturgical chant, to Scripture, to modern secular love poetry. It was inspired visually by the light in the Reims Cathedral in France and the Poulnabrone Dolmen in Ireland.
The choir has previously sung two other works by Dan Forrest: Requiem for the Living (2018) and Jubilate Deo (2019).
Concert Details
- Saturday 26 November, 7.30pm
- St John the Baptist Catholic Church, Woy Woy
- Tickets: Adult: $33 Concession $30 Student/Child $10
- www.trybooking.com/CDEXB
