November 2008

GOLD COAST PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

ESTABLISHED AND CONTINUALLY PERFORMING FOR THE GOLD COAST COMMUNITY SINCE 1984

The Orchestra is conducted by Mark Turpin who has recently conducted the orchestras for “Broadway in Concert” at the Gold Coast Arts Centre, “The Grand Tour” Concert season at the Gold Coast Arts Centre and for the professional production of “Carousel” at Twelfth Night Theatre, Brisbane.

 Margaret McAteer has been selected as the Concert Master for this concert season. Margaret has recently settled on the Gold Coast from Scotland, with her husband and 5 young children, having played with major orchestras throughout England, Scotland and Ireland.

The Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra features professional, semi-professional and highly skilled amateur musicians who choose to live and work on the Gold Coast.

The Orchestra supports visiting and local musicians & artists who choose to live on the Gold Coast while enjoying international careers and also supports the talented youth & young adults of the Gold Coast each December giving them the opportunity to experience performing with a full sized, high quality orchestra.

 The orchestral experience with our own Gold Coast Orchestra includes the opportunity to meet the soloists and musicians in exclusive pre-concert events and while enjoying refreshments at interval, raffles, a talented and knowledgeable compere and a welcoming atmosphere for everyone including children, first timers and the experienced orchestral audience.

Tickets:
Gold Coast Arts Centre Box Office 5588 4000 or www.gcac.com.au or at the door up to one hour prior to the concerts.

Adults $22, Concession/Students $20,
Friends of the Philharmonic & Arts Centre & for groups of 10 or more $15,
Children under 12 FREE.

More Information at www.goldcoastphilharmonic.com.
Phillipa Leonard, Publicity Officer GCPO 0413 902 712 flippa87@hotmail.com
or Pam Lowry, Print Media & Photographs 0412 118 077

Conductor Mark Turpin invites you to come INSIDE THE ORCHESTRA at an open rehearsal of the Gold Coast's own Philharmonic Orchestra. Enjoy wine & cheese on arrival, watch the orchestra fine tune the music for THE GRAND TOUR Concert, learn about the music/instruments & meet the Musicians & Conductor over supper. The GCPO features adult professional & highly skilled amateur musicians who choose to live on the Gold Coast.

This event is FREE for Friends of the Philharmonic members and only $10 for others and includes wine and cheese on arrival and supper with the Conductor and musicians. Contact Pam 5539 6076 or mail@goldcoastphilharmonic.com  to book your place. (essential for catering and as seats will be limited). Payment will be required at the door on the night.

The Open Rehearsal is proudly sponsored by Visions by Brian Job Optical

GOLD COAST PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

PROGRAM INFORMATION

THE GRAND TOUR
SATURDAY 19 JULY 2008 AT 7.30 PM
GOLD COAST ARTS CENTRE

Conductor: Mark Turpin
Guest Soloist: Paul Stanton-Cook

The Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra and Conductor, Mark Turpin will take you on a GRAND TOUR of the orchestral world on Saturday 19 July at the Gold Coast Arts Centre Theatre. This concert will be on the Gold Coast for one night only and is not to be missed.

The Concert will feature guest soloist, Paul Stanton-Cook who is not only a long term member of the Philharmonic Orchestra but also a member of the Queensland Youth Orchestra. As a percussionist, Paul is a master of many instruments, but for this concert he has chosen to perform Concertino for Marimba by Paul Creston.

The concert will begin in England, the country where so many young men and women set off on their Grand Tour around Europe before settling into everyday life. Mark Turpin has selected the beautiful Fantasia on Greensleeves by Vaughan Williams for its haunting flute solo and English folk songs woven into the music as a delicate overture.
The first stop in the Grand Tour is Eastern Europe and Russia where Tchaikovsky wrote Marche Slav in 1876 for a charity concert to support a war effort in the Balkans. He composed and fully scored the march in the short time of just 5 days. (Quick for anyone, but amazing for Tchaikovsky) The themes are loosely based on three Serbian folk songs, each with a quite different character, and it also incorporates the Russian national anthem. At the first performance its impact was such that it had to be encored in full, receiving a tumultuous reception - twice!
Any Grand Tour would include dancing and ours is no different. We pause in Austria with the most famous of Strauss’ waltzes, On the beautiful Blue Danube and then complete the first half with Hungarian Dances by Brahms.
The second half opens at a wedding celebration in Scandanavia with Edvard Grieg’s joyous work Wedding Day in Troldhaugen.
All who have toured Europe have marvelled in awe at the magnificent Art Galleries and the Grand Tour will feature the major work Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky. Mussorgsky composed this work in commemoration of his friend, the artist and architect Viktor Hartmann and depicts himself “roving through the exhibition, now leisurely, now briskly in order to come close to picture that has attracted his attention and, at times sadly, thinking of his departed friend”. Ten works of art by Viktor Hartmann were used as inspiration for the music that is linked by a recurring promenade theme.
A giant multi media presentation will accompany the performance of Pictures at an Exhibition.

We return to England, again with Vaughan Williams and his English Folk Song Suite to complete our GRAND TOUR.

THE GOLD COAST PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
2008 CONCERTS

“DYNAMIC DUOS”
Twice the fun with the Gold Coast’s own Orchestra
Saturday 26 April at 7.30 pm & Sunday 27 April at 2.30 pm
ROBINA COMMUNITY CENTRE AUDITORIUM
Adults $22, Concession/Students $20,
Friends of the Philharmonic & Group Bookings of 10 or more $15, Children under 12 free.

“THE GRAND TOUR”
Travel the World of Orchestral Music in the lap of luxury.
Saturday 19 July 2008 at 7.30 pm
GOLD COAST ARTS CENTRE
Adults $35, Concession/Students $30
Friends of the Philharmonic, Friends of the Arts Centre & Group Bookings of 10 or more $25
Children under 12 $5

“THE ORCHESTRA’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY”
Come on board for the ride of your life
Saturday 25 October at 7.30 pm & Sunday 26 October at 2.30 pm
ROBINA COMMUNITY CENTRE AUDITORIUM
Adults $22, Concession/Students $20,
Friends of the Philharmonic & Group Bookings of 10 or more $15, Children under 12 free.

“CHRISTMAS CONCERTO”
Saturday 13 December 2008 at 7.30 pm
ROBINA COMMUNITY CENTRE AUDITORIUM
Adults $22, Concession/Students $20,
Friends of the Philharmonic & Group Bookings of 10 or more $15, Children under 12 free.

“VIP Preferred Seating” area at the Robina concerts available for patrons with pre-purchased Arts Centre Box Office Tickets. General seating for tickets purchased at the door on the day.

Philharmonic Orchestra's Next Concert

The Gold Coast Philharmonic Society Inc. presents a Friends of the Philharmonic event Sunday 1st April 2007 2.00pm at Lakeside Lounge, Robina. (4 Greenwich Crt, Robina - Robina/Surfers Uniting Church precinct)

Performers Naomi Terashima (flute), Yana de Groot, Petros Stylianou and Elizabeth Spiller (strings) will present a beautiful program for flute and string ensemble. Works include: Salut D'amour, Elgar, Once Upon a Time, Tchaikovsky Tea for Two and Other classic favourites.

Tickets $25, Friends of the Philharmonic $20 (includes wine and cheese on arrival, afternoon tea and concert).

Bookings essential. RSVP to Leonard J Moore, Friends Coordinator 0413 154 593

Philharmonic Opening Night Subscriber Series.

The Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra introduces the Opening night Subscriber Series where music lovers can purchase tickets to the opening nights (Saturday) of all 4 of the Philharmonic Orchestra's 2007 Concerts saving 10% on ticket prices and recieving special benefits.

Not only will you receive VIP preferred seating at the Orchestra's Robina Community Centre Concerts and early choice of the best seats at the Arts Centre concert on 21 July but you will receive an exclusive invitation to three pre-concert events to be held before the Robina Concerts from 6.30 pm in the Robina Art Gallery (access from the foyer area of the Robina Auditorium). You will enjoy a complimentary drink and savories, meet the Conductor and soloists and like minded music lovers & listen to the Conductor and soloists speak about the music that you will hear before being escorted to your reserved seats at the front of the auditorium ready for the concert.

To subscribe to the Opening Subscriber Series contact or visit the Gold Coast Arts Centre Box Office.

5588 4000 or www.gcac.com.au

Tickets to all 4 concerts (offer valid for Saturday/Opening nights only).

Adults $90, Concession/Students $81, Friends of the Philharmonic $63

Offer closes on 28th April 2007 at 11.00am

Benefits included in subscriber package:

1. Supporting your local symphony orchestra; The Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra
2. Save 10% on ticket prices
3. VIP preferred seating (Saturday concerts only) at Robina Community Centre Concerts
4. Early choice of the best seats at Gold Coast Arts Centre Concert (21 July 2007).
5. Three (3) pre-concert events during the year.  Meet the Conductor and soloists & enjoy a complimentary drink prior to the Robina Community Centre Concerts in the Robina Art Gallery 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm.

1. Saturday 28 April 2007 (Sweet Surrender)
2. Saturday 27 October 2007 (All That Jazz)
3. Saturday 15 December 2007 (Shining Star)

The Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra has introduced Open Rehearsal events once a month. For those with a love of orchestras and orchestral music, guests will be able to attend a rehearsal and watch the process of preparing music to performance standard. Sometimes the open rehearsal will appear at the beginning of the rehearsal schedule for a concert and sometimes they will be near the concert and you will be able to see the soloists in final rehearsals and the finishing touches being put on the music. Every rehearsal event will be different.

Guests will also be able to meet the Conductor and players while they enjoy a supper which will be included in the admission. Please note that these events are rehearsals and not concerts, music may stop and start and be repeated as musicians perfect their parts.

For the open rehearsal dates check out the Concerts and Events page. Registration will be essential as numbers will be strictly limited.

The Gold Coast Philharmonic String Orchestra performed "Serenade for Strings" for a Friends of the Arts Centre event at the Paradise Showroom on Sunday 26 February. The 30 piece Orchestra, formed from the String section of the full Orchestra, was Conducted by Mark Turpin and the program featured some of the most beautiful string music. The Program included Chanson De Matin and Serenade for Strings by Elgar, Viola Concerto by Telemann with viola soloist Petros Stylianou, Capriol Suite by Warlock, Adagietto from Bizet's L'Arlesienne Suite and the famous Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber. Viola Soloist Petros Stylianou performed the Telemann Viola Concerto magificently backed by the String Orchestra. The audience grew to over 300 with the Friends of the Arts Centre and the Philharmonic and music lovers from the community. Guests were treated to a glass of wine of wonderful food prepared by the catering staff of the Gold Coast Arts Centre before being seated for the concert.

The Gold Coast Philharmonic Society was nominated for the Cultural Achievment Award at the recent Gold Coast City Council Australia Day Awards. At the ceremony the Soceity was represented by Brad Stewart, Julie Stewart, Leonard Moore, Pam Lowry and Mark Turpin. Orchestra Conductor, Mark Turpin accepted the Cultural Achievement Nomination Certificate from the Mayor Ron Clarke on behalf of the Society during the awards ceremony.
The Society congratulates Spotlight Theatre in their 100th year for taking out the award in the cultural achievement category.

The latest CD by the Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra features three of our own composers, Andrew Reid, Brad Stewart and Marie Waalkens. Works featured on the CD includes Brad Stewart's Shackleton, which was premiered by the Orchestra at the Gold Coast Arts Centre in the "Journeys" Concert and his Dance in A minor performed as a full orchestral work in the "Classic Christmas" Concert. Andrew Reid's "Murray Hartman Suite" is recorded on the CD. This work illustrates, in music, the amazing life of music lover Murray Hartman. Delicate music for string orchestra inspired by Australian poetry is a feature of our third composer, Marie Waalkens. The orchestra recorded their music at a special live recording event and the CD is now released and is available at Orchestra Concerts and through the Philharmonic Society.

Congratulations to our Orchestra Conductor, Mark Turpin who was a Pin Award winner at the recent Gold Coast Honours Awards in the Community Section. The awards were presented at a glittering dinner at the Marriott Hotel.

The Concert Band has enjoyed very successful concerts. In August at the Southport Uniting Church on Sunday, 7 August where the program was enthusiastically received by an audi-ence of approximately 180 and in September when the Concert Band then gave a concert on Saturday, 3 September, at the Gold Coast Youth Or-chestra Centre. Once again, the program was warmly received by all who attended. On Sunday 6 November, the Concert Band performed at the Anniversary celebrations for the Hinterland Band. The Philharmonic Concert Band were one of many Concert and Brass Bands that took part at the Mudgeeraba Show grounds. Unfortunately the weather was not entirely kind to us with many showers, however this did not dampen the enthusiasm of the musicians gathered.

Another successful Friends event was held with a capacity audience of 105 guests. Naomi Terashima, on Flute, Harp and Piano, Jonathan Whitlow on Flute and Justin Hart on Flute delighted the audience with a concert of music from all eras. Friends Coordinator Sylvia Evans and her team of helpers presented a perfect afternoon tea and guests enjoyed a glass of Symphony Hill wines on arrival and embarked on a wine tasting of the latest award winning wines during interval. Join the Friends of the Philharmonic for only $10 per year for your invitation to the next event.

The Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra and Conductor Mark Turpin grasped the rose between their teeth and embarked on a concert of the most exciting Latin inspired music at the Robina Community Centre on the 15 and 16 October 2005. Special Guest, cellist, Belinda Manwaring enchanted the large audience with the beautiful Lalo Cello Concerto. In the Second half a spectacular event featured Mezzo Soprano Kathleen Procter-Moore as Carmen and she sang the famous arias form the opera interspersed with the wonderful talents of Fiona Munroe's Gold Coast Dancers Company. Mark Turpin, Fiona Munroe and Kathleen Procter-Moore spent many hours with the score of the Opera Carmen to devise this event. The orchestra performed Espana, Capriccio Espagnol and music from West Side Story finishing the concert with the famous Malaguena. Congratulations to all.

It is with pleasure to welcome our new sponsor for the Friends of the Philharmonic events, Symphony Hill Wines. Symphony Hill Wine is a new boutique winery on the granite belt, Queensland. They have a passion for making ultra premium wine.
Their philosophy is that that beautiful wine should be enjoyed with beautiful music and good friends.
Their 2003 reserve pinot Noir label quotes Ralph Waldo Emerson from the poem Bacchus, "Wine and music are one".
Symphony Hill Wines is proud to support the Gold Coast Philharmonic Society and join them in their quest for excellence and beauty.

The Philharmonic Society has introduced VIP Preferred seating for those who choose to pre-book and purchase their concert tickets through the Gold Coast Arts Centre Box Office, through the orchestra members or at rehearsals on Thursday nights. Seats will be reserved at the front of the auditorium for patrons who have pre-booked Arts Centre Box Office printed tickets eliminating the need to cue early in the foyer for the 'best seats' in the house. Our VIP preferred seating front of house staff will escort ticket holders to the preferred seating area prior to each concert for their choice of seats within this area. Tickets will still be available at the door prior to each concert for general seating.

The Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra's latest CD "Rhapsody" is now on sale through the Philharmonic Society for $20. The CD includes "Blue Hills Rhapsody", Vaughan William's "English Folk Song Suite", Movie Themes "Lord of the Rings", the haunting "Out of Africa", "Cinema Paradiso" with Violin Solo by Barbara Gardner, Elgar's "Serenade for Strings" and the brilliant "Buglers Holiday" with the orchestra's trumpet section. The music was recorded at the "Three Composers and a Rhapsody" Live recording concert in May this year and the CD booklet, designed by Tom Anthony features a photo of our guests, the audience on the night, with the orchestra. CD's can be purchased at concerts and friends events and through the orchestra by contacting us though this website.

The Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra was once again proud to sponsor a section in the 2005 Gold Coast Eisteddfod. The orchestra sponsored the Primary Schools String Orchestra B Grade section and the trophies were won by St Hilda's School (Heat 1) and Coombabah State School (Heat 2). Congratulations to the Conductors and students.

A full house of 80 guests welcomed Belinda Manwaring and Louise King when they performed a program of beautiful cello duets on authentic baroque instruments at the Friends of the Philharmonic Sunday afternoon concert. Guests were welcomed with a glass of wine from our new sponsor Symphony Hill Wines and then enjoyed a intimate concert at the Lakeside Lounge. At interval Symphony Hill wines presented their range of wines for tasting and a magnificent afternoon tea was served. Sylvia Evans and her team worked their magic yet again to produce a relaxed and sophisticated afternoon of fine music, wine and food for all to enjoy.

A total audience of 800 over the 2 concert season of the Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra's Masquerade experienced a range on fun music with special guests Trix Circus. Compere Carolyn La Motte guided the audience through a range of wonderful music with special guests Deb Body on Xylophone performing the Comedian's Galop, Simon Witt on Piano Accordion performing Strauss' Chit Chat Polka, John Edwards, Double Bass, Leanne White and Simon Witt, piano duet performing Saint Saens' the Elephant from Carnival of the Animals and Julie Stewart on typewriter performing "the Typewriter" by Leroy Anderson. The orchestra, conducted by Mark Turpin, thrilled the audience with full orchestral works such as Khachaturian's Masquerade Suite, Dance of the Comedians by Smetana and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera. Members of Trix Circus performed balancing and tumbling acts with some of the music delighting the children, young and old in the audience.

The Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra and Conductor Mark Turpin were privileged to be able to work with two very talented singers at the Serenade Concert Season. Soprano Donna King and Mezzo Soprano Kathleen Procter-Moore who delighted the large audience with the Flower Duet from Lakme, My heat at Thy Sweet Voice from Samson and Delilah and Depuis Le Jour from Louise. The orchestra performed musical works with the most beautiful melodies including Die Fledermaus Overture by Strauss, Rubinstein's Melody in F, Elgar's Serenade for Strings, The Skaters Waltz by Waldteufel, The Merry Widow by Lehar and The Moldau by Smetana, Mozart. A delighted audience member won a raffle of an original painting by violinist and artist Barbara Gardner and all proceeds were donated to the Tsunami appeal.

Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor has been awarded a grant from the Gold Coast City Council following an invitation from Symphony Australia to take part in the Conductor Development Program to study with Graham Abbott in June 2005. Graham Abbott has conducted all six Symphony Australia Orchestras and all the Opera Companies.
He has been Associate Conductor of the Melbourne Symphony(1993-1997). He has also conducted the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Ulster Orchestra, the Prague Chamber Orchetsra and the Edinburgh Royal Choral Union.He has been a guest teacher in the Symphony Australia Conductor Development Program since 2002 and is producer and presenter of Keys To Music on ABC Classic FM.

Members of the Orchestra, Concert Band, Friends, stage crew and front of house will be soon wearing the Philharmonic Polo shirts sporting our gold and blue logo. The shirts were premiered by the Orchestra's Stage Crew as they set the stage for the Serenade Concert at the Robina Community Centre. There were many comments on the professional appearance of our hard working crew.

Following the success of the "Serenade" Concert Season, The Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra will be going to the recording studio to develop, rehearse and record two new CD's.

Click Here for more info..

Performing all the popular tunes and songs from magical season the combined concert with the Concert Band and the Philharmonic Orchestra went down well with everybody young and old in the almost packed venue. Pictures available in the Media section.

The orchestra 'Impressions' concert was held at the Youth Orchestra Centre Ashmore 23 October and at Robina Community Centre 24 October. Both concerts proved a great success with the audiences. The Society once again showcased the talents of many members of the orchestra. Guest artist Gerrit Bon impressed everyone with his performance of the Bellini Concerto in E flat for Oboe and Orchestra. Other soloists included Justin Hart on flute, Brad Stewart on trumpet, James Henshaw on flugelhorn, Nicole Elkins on trombone, Barbara Gardner and Althea Lambert on violin and Naomi Terashima on harp. The 'Murray Hartman Suite', Andrew Reid's new orchestral work he composed, was premiered at these concerts. Audience feedback about this latest composition by Andrew Reid was that they would very much like to hear this work performed again.

Over 800 people attended the Gold Coast Arts Centre for the 20th Anniversary Concert of Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra.. This concert was a culmination of a special project partly supported with financial assistance from Gold Coast City Council in partnership with Arts Queensland.

Click Here for more info..

The friends of the Philharmonic Event for June 04 proved to be quite successful. With the theme of "Warm Music for a Cool Day" it certainly lived up to its name with great music provided by a 6 piece brass consort made up from members within Philharmonic Orchestra. They took the willing audience on a musical journey exploring many different era's and even throwing in some original compositions which certainly exhibited the extraordinary talent within our society.

After two successful workshops with Michael Morgan conducting the Philharmonic Orchestra the upcoming 20th Anniversary Concert is certainly shaping up to be one of the most successful concerts to date.

Michael Morgan is Head of Orchestral Studies and Ensembles at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and also the Artistic Director of the Anniversary concert entitled "JOURNEYS". The concert is being held at the Gold Coast Arts Centre on the 17th July.