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NEWSLETTER |
JUNE 2009 |
A warm ‘Hello’ to all of
MIB’s members and friends. With winter upon us cooling things down, MIB
activities are hotting up. With four concerts under our belts and more in the
offing, we have had the chance to hone our performance skills.
PAST EVENTS:
MIB’S AUTUMN CONCERT – This took place in April at a new venue, St Augustine’s Anglican
Church. In a departure from our usual programme, we included vocal music, with
students (mainly from UQ) entrancing us with Dowland’s lute songs and Mateo
Flecha’s ‘El Dinderindin’. Carissimi’s ‘Jephte’ gave a wonderful opportunity
for them to display their voices, showing us why they got into UQ’s music
department.
BLUE CARE CONCERT – In May MIB had fun
performing at Woolloongabba for an appreciative audience. Some items were
performed by young disabled people, whose enthusiasm for music was wonderful to
see.
NEW FARM SENIOR CITIZEN’S CONCERT – in early June MIB played for New Farm’s seniors, on a
rather cold day. But the atmosphere was warmly welcoming. We felt well prepared
and we were pleased with our efforts. (And the scones afterwards were lovely.)
BRISBANE CITY HALL LUNCHTIME CONCERT – In one of the City Council’s free Tuesday lunchtime
concerts, MIB performed for 30 minutes
in a programme with several well-known favourites. It was a great place to be,
with a wonderful audience and … central heating!
MIB’s POSTAL ADDRESS
This is PO Box 701 Annerley,
Qld 4103.
For any queries about
lessons, contact Anne Roubos, phone 3324 1680.
NEW PLAYERS
We are fortunate to have a
double bass player, Ron Williams. Ron’s playing adds much needed depth to our
performances.
MIB would love to hear from
any other mandolin and guitar players who would like to join us. We practice at
Sherwood Community Centre, Thallon Street on Mondays from 7pm – 9.30pm.
FUTURE EVENTS:
B150 FESTIVAL – July 1st, Queen Street Mall, 11am – 2pm. In a
daylong session of music by different groups to celebrate Brisbane’s 150th
birthday, MIB performs on and off during the above time-slot, with music from
our CD in between brackets. This is, of course, free.
Q150 Festival: MANDOLINS CELEBRATING Q150 – 7.30pm, Saturday
July 11th, St Johns Cathedral, Ann Street. This will be a momentous
occasion, with performers coming from all over Australasia to practise madly
for a week before delighting you all with some wonderful music. New music will
be premiered.
This is an official Q150 concert, with sponsorship from the Qld
Government and the Federation of Mandolin Ensembles. The spotlight is on
Queensland’s history. From the arrival of Dutch explorers in 1606, culture
clashes and secession (Qld was almost bankrupt, did you know?), to the building
of Qld afterwards, all is told through music.
There are some impressive musicians appearing, including
conductor Keith Harris (Heidelberg University), Sue Flower (ex-Covent Garden),
Stephen Lalor (Sydney Symphony soloist), our own Marissa Carroll (Australia’s
youngest mandolin soloist), Tony Hofmann (Melbourne Symphony Orchestra),
Stephen Bond (didgeridoo) and Jill Johnson (Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra).
There will be something for everyone. There’s Italian, Greek and
German music (mandolins are more mainstream over there), and Irish and
didgeridoo music too. Compere for the evening is 4MBS’s Gary Thorpe.
There is parking across the street at the Cathedral Square Car
Park ($7 for the evening) and wheelchair access to the cathedral.
Book a ticket from Radio Station 4MBS (phone 3847 1717 or visit www.4mbs.com.au) and mention that you’re a
friend of MIB to get the concession price of $25 instead of $28.
MUSIC AT ST FRANCIS CHURCH – Sunday 4th October, 68 Cavendish St,
Nundah. MIB will perform for 40 mins in a 2-hour programme.
Alison Lawrence
(Newsletter Editor and 2nd
Mandolin Player)