Art from the pipes

THE skirl of bagpipes opened up this year’s South East Arts Festival winners’ concert at St Margaret’s Auditorium recently.
The spine-tingling opening set the scene for an exhilarating evening of music and song, as kids from six to 16 entertained and wowed the audience with everything from classical, to choir, orchestral ensembles, duets, solo pieces and even a few hits from well-known musicals.
More than 70 pupils from the St Margaret’s school choir gave a moving performance of ‘Bridge over Troubled Water,’ the classic Simon and Garfunkel hit.
Berwick Primary School, festival winners at the primary schools section, also had everyone toe-tapping along to their set.
The audience was charmed by the duet of Bernardo Soler and his nine-year-old daughter Monica.
Only three months after strumming her first note on guitar, Monica was on stage with her father giving a star performance. Angela Patti, event organiser said Monica attended the South East Arts Festival in April and was inspired to learn a musical instrument from that one experience.
“That is what makes these events so worthwhile – to see a young child develop a real passion for music,” she said.
The concert showcased the cream of the young musicians who performed at the festival earlier this year, and the audience were amazed by the maturity and technical ability of the performers.
Concert goer Matt Robinson from Pakenham said nine-year-old violinist, Anna Sing, played like a virtuoso. “When I closed my eyes it was like listening to someone who had been playing for decades,” he said.
Already plans are underway to start preparing for the 2011 South East Arts Festival which is set to be an even bigger extravaganza than this year’s event. Inquiries can be made to Angela Patti on 0418 357 224.
The next meeting will be held at St Margaret’s on 8 August at 4pm. Everyone is welcome.