The Central Coast Philharmonia Choir will present an afternoon of Irish music about the lives, loves and adventures of the people of Ireland on Sunday, August 16
Much of the program is drawn from Irish folk songs of the 1700s and 1800s. As you’d expect, the music covers all of the emotions from joyfully uplifting to heartwrenchingly sad and boisterously frivolous and rebellious.
Musical director, Mr Phil Rees OAM said: “People all over the world have a fondness for Irish music. “Maybe it’s because of the passion and spontaneity of the songs or, perhaps, it is their beautiful lyricism.”
“The concert will feature local soloist, Ms Lauren Turner, who has been involved with the Central Coast Conservatorium in many ways since she was just 11 years old and she recently played M Penelope Newkirk in the Central Coast Opera’s production of Help! Help! The Globolinks.
“She has a Bachelor of Music Performance (Music Theatre) from the Australian Institute of Music.”
“I am delighted to be singing with the Central Coast Philharmonia for their Irish Refl ections concert,” Ms Turner said.
Interspersed throughout the program will be brief excerpts from actual letters and diary entries from or about Ireland at the time the songs were written. These will be read by Senator for NSW, Ms Deborah O’Neill, a prominent member of the local Irish community, and by local historian, Mr Peter Mara.
The Philharmonia will be joined by the Katandra Voices Children’s Choir, Voices of the Coast ensemble and a band featuring traditional Irish instruments including harp, fi ddle, pipe and the accordion, as well as bass, percussion and guitar.
The performance will take place at 2:30pm at Gosford Anglican Church.
Media release,
27 July 2015
Duncan Waight, Central
Coast Philharmonia