Rising stars in concert Memories

by Mike Crean

Edmund Hillary stepped atop the world’s highest mountain 70 years ago. The 34-year-old Kiwi shared the honour of being first to conquer Mt Everest, with Sherpa partner Tenzing Norgay, on June 2, 1953. They were members of a British expedition to Everest.

Hillary was lauded around the world. All nations had been waiting for someone to reach the highest point on Earth. From news coverage many learned of New Zealand’s existence for the first time.

Little is heard of the Hillary-Tenzing feat today. In British TV quiz show “The Chase”, Bradley Walsh often questions contestants about it. Most replies are a gaping silence.

Sir Edmund Percival Hillary was born in Auckland on July 20, 1919, and died there on January 11, 2008. He was a humble “dinkum Kiwi” who developed his alpine skills in our Southern Alps. He was remarkable in other ways: flying planes in World War II, aiding the poor of Nepal with building projects for health and education, participating in Antarctic expeditions. Biographies tell much more about him. However, they do not mention the annoyance he once caused me.

Journalist and mountaineer John Henzell accompanied Hillary on his last visit to Antarctica, in 2007. When John got back he told me how frail Hillary was. He feared Hillary would not live much longer.

As The Press obituary writer, I researched Hillary’s life to be prepared to write when he passed away. The problem was, he died on a Friday. The editor, Tim Panckhurst, immediately ordered a 4000-word obituary (the standard length was 800 words). So, I got stuck in and churned out what I thought was not a bad piece. But, as I was finishing it, Tim approached again. Here I paraphrase what he said:

“Mike, I want you to write a second obituary about Hillary. We will run your first one tomorrow. However, most papers will run theirs on Monday. We can’t be seen not to have a Hillary obituary on Monday. Write it now, as the printers will make up that page tonight. Oh, and 2000 words will be enough for Monday’s edition. But, the two obituaries must be entirely different – not one word the same.”

I was ready to knock off for the day. Being Friday, I was looking forward to joining mates at the bar next door. Oh well, Tim had always been good to me….

When I reached the bar, my mates had long gone. I left too, with 1000 words about dying on Friday in my mind.

Crossword Answers (#20523)

CLUES: (Legend: ¶ = combo clue; * = cryptic clue; § = sounds like; ∞ = anagram)

ACROSS

1. Over , 5. Come, *1. & 5. Overcome, 7. Allegro, 8. Even, 9. Vile, 10. True 11. Genuine, 13. Rift, 15. Backs, 16. Spine, 19. Itch, *19. Drop insect ‘B’ from Bitch (termagant) to get Itch, 21. Days, 23. Oxidate, 24. Dumb, 25. Aver, 26. Balloon, 27. Xray, 28. Safe.

DOWN

1. Overt, 2. Range, *2. I, to it, ran geared for shooting (5), NB: letters of answer hidden in clue, 3. Clinch, 4. Agnise, 5. Cover, 6. Event, 12. React, 14. Fancy, 17. Avidly, 18. Season, *18. Season to flavour food and of course part of a year, 19. Index, 20. Hobby, 21. Deans, 22. Serve, *22. For ace in tennis.

A new lunchtime series will feature some of Christchurch’s best young musicians in concert at The Arts Centre.

‘Rising Stars’ concerts will be held on selected Tuesdays in the magnificent Great Hall. The format mirrors the ever-popular Great Hall Lunchtime Concerts on selected Mondays.

The first concert, on Tuesday 9 May, is a charity event featuring the brilliant young pianist Lixin Zhang. Lixin is studying at the prestigious Colburn Conservatory in Los Angeles. The concert is a fundraiser for an initiative that provides music lessons to talented students from underprivileged backgrounds.

Concerts for Christchurch organiser Trish Rainey says there is no shortage of musical talent in the city. “Even at a young age, the technical and artistic standard is incredibly high. We hope this new performance platform can encourage our rising stars, while we support them on their musical journey.”

All concerts are listed on The Arts Centre’s website. The extensive line- up includes internationally renowned 15-year-old flautist Louis Liu, Burnside High School jazz musicians Chicks from Corea, and nine-yearold Caleb Waines who appears with his brother Ethan (aged 11).

Dates and time:

Selected Tuesdays, usually from 1.10-1.50pm.

Price: Adults $15.00, Friends of Concerts for Christchurch or The Arts Centre $10.00.

Full details and bookings go to: www.artscentre.org.nz/whats-on, scroll down to the concert you want, click “Find out more”. To book, then click “Buy tickets now”. There is no reserved seating, so arrive early if you have a favourite seat.

Door sales:

From 12pm on the day, unless the concert is sold out.

Accessibility:

The Great Hall has a ramp entrance off Worcester Boulevard. Holders of mobility parking permits may use the two designated spots off Hereford Street. General parking is on-street only.