Photo: Supplied.
BY ASHLEIGH HOWARTH
Music lovers will have the chance to celebrate a milestone in the Redlands’ arts history when the Redland Sinfonia marks its 40th anniversary with a special concert this month.
The community orchestra will present Across the Stars at the Redland Performing Arts Centre (RPAC) on September 12, combining classical masterpieces with some of the most recognisable music from film, television and popular culture.
The first half of the program will feature highlights from Gustav Holst’s The Planets, including the thunderous force of Mars and the haunting, ethereal mystery of Neptune, before taking the audience on a cinematic journey through iconic space-themed scores from productions including Doctor Who, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Star Wars, and Star Trek.
Orchestra President Rosina McDonnell-Tucker, who has been involved with the Sinfonia since its inception in August 1986, said the concert was a fitting way to celebrate four decades of community music-making.
“I was at the very first meeting when the idea of creating a community orchestra for the Redlands was discussed, and I’m still here today as a percussionist,” she said.
“Our charter has always been to bring fine music to the people of the Redlands and surrounding areas, and that’s something we’ve proudly continued for 40 years.
“We present four concerts each year, with performances in March, June and September at RPAC, before finishing the season at the Donald Simpson Centre in November, where audiences can enjoy afternoon tea and meet the orchestra.
“We’re incredibly proud to be the RPAC’s ensemble-in-residence – it’s a privilege to rehearse and perform in such a wonderful venue, and to have a place we can truly call home.
“Having a home venue means people don’t have to travel into Brisbane to experience live orchestral music – they can enjoy it right here in their own backyard.”
Rosina said hundreds of musicians had passed through the orchestra over the decades, with several going on to pursue professional careers.
“We’ve had so many people begin their musical journey here before forging successful careers as instrumentalists and singers, and that’s something we’re incredibly proud of,” she said.
Describing the Sinfonia as “a family”, Rosina said the orchestra welcomed musicians of all ages, from school students to performers in their 80s and 90s.
“I met my husband through the orchestra, our children have all played, and we’ve also had several generations of families perform together in the orchestra, including mother and daughter duos,” she said.
“Music is something you can enjoy at any age, and that’s what makes a community orchestra so special.”
The performance will begin at 6:00pm and will conclude with a birthday cake cutting, giving audiences the chance to celebrate the orchestra’s milestone alongside its musicians.
Tickets are available through the Redland Performing Arts Centre website.
