Singers gear for trip of a lifetime
Band seeks help
Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au THE sights and sounds of The Big Apple are a tantalising prospect for singers from Mornington Peninsula Chorale who will perform at Carnegie Hall in January. The 50 choristers will join others from around the world at the Distinguished Concerts Singers International, with Sir Karl Jenkins as composer-inresidence, and artistic director Jonathan Griffith as conductor of the performance. The invitation to sing came about after the chorale performed Sir Karl’s Armed Man at Frankston Arts Centre last year for the Anzac Day centenary celebrations. Senior chorister Judi McKee wrote to Sir Karl who invited the chorale to audition for a performance. They sent an audio-visual tape over – he loved it – and New York is now in the offing. Especially thrilled about the trip are five members of the Wearne family: Marcelle, Larry, Brenda, Heather, and Peter, who joined the chorale in 2012 and who all live on the Mornington Peninsula. “It was a tremendous surprise; a fabulous opportunity,” tenor Larry said. “Within our family, singing and music have always featured strongly, and our home was al-
In tune: Wearne family singers Marcelle, Brenda, Larry, Peter and Heather prepare for the New York trip.
ways filled with music of some sort or another – from classical music to contemporary and everything in between,” Marcelle Kirby (nee Wearne) said. “Our sister Heather would spend hours playing Beethoven on her piano and, when she was too ill from chronic asthma, listening from her bed.” Brother Larry added: “She couldn’t run around outside with us so music became her thing.” Peter was given a Gilbert & Sullivan record for his 10th birthday. “Poor Pete,” Marcelle said. “What a disappointment
that must have been for him, but mum loved their works and encouraged and fostered that in us.” She recalled, years ago, the family sitting around the piano with a tape recorder singing for their brother, Robin, away fighting in Vietnam, and “helping him feel close to us and remind him of home”. “Growing up in a large family there were lots of household chores we all had to share and a great way to get through them was to have music accompanying a sing along.” Marcelle said. “We sang to everything:
musicals such as Oliver and Sound of Music, choral works, The Beatles, Joan Baez, The Eagles, Elton John ... the record player and radio were rarely quiet.” Cheekily calling themselves the Wearne Family Singers, Marcelle admits: “We are really just part of the choir where we gain so many benefits from belonging. We love to sing with our fellow choristers, especially the oratorios and the proms.” Larry added: “Being part of the choir promotes a feeling of wellbeing, pride and connectedness. We love it.”
Members of the Wearne family will sing at the Mornington Peninsula Chorale’s next performance of Frankston Music Society’s proms concert Heroes & Heroines, 2.30pm, Sunday 21 August, at the Frankston Arts Centre. Tickets are available from the centre. Tax deductible donations to assist with the Mornington Peninsula chorale’s New York trip – which is expected to cost $4000 a head – can be made through the Australian Cultural Fund at australianculturalfund. org.au
ROCK'N'ROLL band Sheriff is throwing an old fashioned hootenanny for peninsula punters to enjoy their music and fete day with plenty of attractions. The show, Saturday 25 June at Rye Civic Hall, will also raise funds to record the band’s first album. The line-up is musically diverse, featuring rock, garage, country, blues, psych, and punk. There will also be stalls, raffles, DJs, and an auction. Called “Give 'em a legup ya bastards!” the show features Sheriff, Chris Russell's Chicken Walk, Child, My Left Boot, Grindhouse, Redro Redriguez & His Inner Demons, Zombitches, Killerbirds, Broozer, A Gazillion Angry Mexicans, the Annie Crooners and the Moody Spooks. Bands play from midday, but the action begins at 11am with stalls, hot food, raffles, auction, DJ TadPole, DJ Mermaid and Benny and the Decks. The MC is livestock auctioneer Nick ‘The Mouth From The South’ Fogarty. The gig is 18-plus with BYO cans, plus beer on tap. Pre-sale tickets are $30 plus booking fee from sherifftheband.com.au Details: facebook.com/ wearesheriff
WHAT’S NEW...
French showstopper comes to Frankston AN exclusive fundraising event is coming to Frankston. Nationally acclaimed Opera Singer Lucy Nicolson, along with performances by Can-Can dancers will entertain guests as part of ‘Bastille Day’ - a fundraising dinner to raise funds for our clients with autism to fulfil their dreams of going on a camp. “Bastille Day is a fundraising dinner like no other,” says CEO, Kath Ferry from SASI - Statewide Autistic Services Inc. “Ms Nicolson will be performing arias from Carmen and La Boehme, Edith Piaff, and modern Broadway numbers from Phantom of the Opera. There will also be an exciting can-can floorshow.” The Bastille Day fundraiser has been created by State Autistic Services Inc to raise money for camp experience for their clients. Our clients will be able to explore nature, embrace new experiences and socialise with their friends. Such an opportunity improves their quality of life and offers them an experience outside the structure of everyday activities. The camp supports families and their children with Autism who would not otherwise afford such an opportunity. “We want to offer our Bastille Day Phil Jones (The Frankston International), Lucy Nicolson, Kath guests an unforgettable FrenchFerry (SASI CEO) and Jarrod from Beachlynn SASI Day Service. inspired evening to remember, while helping our clients live more You can support SASI by attending the event enriched lives,” says Kath. The or donating an item to be auction d on the night. Bastille Day Fundraising Dinner will be held For more information call 9773-6044 or puron Thursday the 14th of July at 6:30pm at the chase tickets at www.sasi.org.au/events. Frankston International.
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Frankston Times 20 June 2016
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