It’s a performance five years in the making – but the Hunter Valley Grammar School’s symphony orchestra is finally ready for its maiden run.
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In 2010 the school decided to defy the limits of school bands and establish a symphony orchestra – strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion – the lot.
Director of instrumental studies Johnston Parkinson said it would be a a “symbol of maturity for the culture of Hunter Valley Grammar School”.
On Friday June 3, at 6.30pm in the Latter Hall at the school, the orchestra will show the wider community what the hours of rehearsal and dedication have all been for.
“It has involved much strategic planning and enormous amounts of collaborative team work from all involved,” Mr Parkinson said.
The stage will be packed with 70 musicians. The orchestra is comprised of 56 student musicians from years 5 to 12, six music staff and eight specialist music teachers.
The repertoire will be wide-reaching; from Elton John through to Vivaldi.
It will also include a brief preview from the school’s upcoming musical production Beauty and the Beast performed by vocalist Olivia Mortel and narrated by Ellie West.
Outstanding year 7 violinist Olivia Blissett will perform the energetic first movement of the Vivaldi Violin Concerto in G minor accompanied by the string section and harpsichord.
Talented year 10 student Benjamin Wood will be the piano soloist for Elton John’s beautiful ballad Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word accompanied by the symphony orchestra.
But the centrepiece of the concert will be the performance of the first movement of an orchestral symphony Verluste composed and conducted by year 8 student Samuel Moore.
“Samuel is a courageous young man with a passion for music,” Mr Johnston said.
“His multi-instrumental interests including violin, viola, saxophone, trombone and tuba assisting his compositional ambitions.”
Reserved tickets can be purchased online for $5 at trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=194282
