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March 29th, 2024
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GVCO 10th Anniversary Concert "The Journey" is a great success
by philip (25th June 07)
The Goulburn Valley Concert Orchestra's 10th anniversary concert was a buzz for all concerned. The audience was large (near the capacity for Westside of 400), and enthusiastic, and the performers played magnificently! The soloists, former members Kate Rankin, Lauren Thomas (nee McDonald) and Kristie Baker (nee Dannenmann), played pieces of their choice to great acclaim from audience and orchestra members alike.

Kate Rankin performed "Meditation" from "Thais" by Jules Massenet, with the Orchestra accompanying her. Unfortunately the slideshow we had prepared of "Kate" photos taken over the years did not work. It was the only major glitch for the evening so we cannot be too upset, but it was a pity the audience missed out on seeing the many poses of Kate! Her performance was wonderful and received deserved applause.

Kristie performed Ravel's Pavane on the French Horn, accompanied by Sharon Leppard on the piano. It was great to hear Kristie play again after 7 or 8 years away. The audience enjoyed her performance immensely and Kristie really enjoyed returning to play with the orchestra (even missing an anniversary dinner for the school she is teaching at currently in order to attend our concert - How special is that?)

Lauren played the Allegro from Beethoven's Spring Sonata, also accompanied by Sharon Leppard. This was beautifully performed and listened to intently by the rest of the orchestra from behind the curtain, who applauded her warmly, along with the audience, after she had finished. Sharon also found the accompaniment for this piece a challenge but she managed it wonderfully, as usual.

Apart from the soloists, the orchestra was honoured to have local singing group, "Heart 'n Soul" perform as guests and also sing with the orchestra for "The Rhythm of Life" and "Finlandia". I have heard some reports from audience members that it was a delight to hear such beautiful harmony coming from a finely blended group of "youngish" women. Others commented on the variety this group brought to the concert.

Other highlights were the conducting of our guest conductors, Peter Read and Steve Sargant. Peter, in particular, has been a member of Sheppstrings and the orchestra for many years and has helped out with conducting in the past, so it was a pleasure to have him once again conduct a segment of the concert. I think he found "The Moldau" a challenge but in the end it turned out to be one of the highlights, especially with the slideshow running at the same time of photos supplied by orchestra member, Sarah Petschack, who is currently doing a gap year in Poland, and who visited Prague and sent us the photos especially so that she could have her image at the concert and feel that she was there in spirit at least!

Steve Sargant, or "Sarg" as he is known, has been keen to take a more leading role with the orchestra, conducting the "Carols By Candlelight Orchestra" last year and jumping at the chance to conduct the GVCO this year. He especially enjoyed the challenge and the pleasure of conducting "Finlandia" by Sibelius, and the orchestra all benefitted from his talents.

Wendy is to be congratulated especially, too, for getting together such an entertaining and appealing program - and also managing to bring together so many different personalities and being able to meld them together into a united and harmonious "Whole". It is no mean feat managing the disparate group that inevitably makes up a community orchestra, and she always does it in a pleasant and cheerful way, showing true leadership. The orchestra says thankyou Wendy for all your efforts, not just this year, but for the whole of the last ten years (15 including Sheppstrings) that you have been keeping the orchestra going with such energy and vigour.

Wendy is also deeply appreciative of the efforts of the committee in helping to organise the concert, as they work tirelessly behind the scenes to help make things happen. Thankyou one and all!

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