Geelong’s longest running community orchestra will celebrate the folk music of a range of cultures with a special concert this August.
Orchestra Geelong will present Folklore, a program of music based on the folk tunes of East Africa, England, Hungary, Ireland, Russia, Sweden and Australia on Sunday, August 10 at Christian College’s RW Gibson Centre.
The concert, which begins at 2pm, will also feature the Cantore and Voices of Geelong ensembles from the Geelong Youth Choir.
The program includes well-known classics like Vaughan Williams’ English Folk Song Suite, Brahms’ Hungarian Dances and excerpts from Stravinsky’s ballet The Firebird, as well as more contemporary works such as Christopher Tin’s Swahili setting of the Lord’s Prayer for video game Civilization IV, Seal’s Kiss From a Rose and the theme from Lord of the Dance.
With about 40 members, Orchestra Geelong is composed of a wide range of musicians that conductor Hayden Dinse said was a “microcosm of the community”.
“We have people from all walks of life; musicians, teachers, doctors… and we’re all there to learn together, conductor included,” he said.
“It’s really cross-generational, which is really good because the younger generation gets to learn from the older, and also bring that youthful energy. It’s a really, really supportive group of players.”
Dinse said the concert, with its wide range of music, would offer something for everyone.
“I’m very much hoping people find it inspiring… it will definitely cater to a lot of people’s different cultural backgrounds within the Geelong community,” Dinse said.
“You want to play music that your audience can participate in, something that’s inviting for all ages.”
Visit trybooking.com/events/landing/1337995 for tickets and more information.
