Introduction to SummerTimes 2005

Background The SummerTimes Festival started 22 years ago by the Christchurch City Council to provide a range of public (meaning free of charge) events and activities for the communities and city of Christchurch. Consistently, the programme has comprised:

Cathedral Square New Year’s Eve Party Classical Sparks Candlelight Opera (now Starry Nights) Teddy Bears Picnic

and more latterly:

Summer Theatre KidsPlay

The original premise for SummerTimes is as valid today as it ever was and, in the latest Residents Opinion Survey 2003/04, it ranked in 4th for “What are the best things Council has done?” This is a consistent rating. The CCC Events Team produces the SummerTimes programme and, in preparation for that in 2005, the team reviewed 2004.

Anthony Harper Lawyers New Years Eve Party

This event already benefited from a naming-rights sponsor last year by the sponsorship fee affording fireworks off their roof in Cathedral Square at midnight. Additionally, we added the old Post Office clock being switched on (for the first time in decades!) for the count-down to midnight with the clock chiming. These elemental changes resulted in national TV news coverage, front page in The Press and, most notably, the very positive Editorial in The Press! Improving the big, family atmosphere to New Year’s Eve this year are:

The bands are The Warratahs and the Bubblemen. An unusual juxtaposition of an otherwise headline act in support but the Bubblemen are the covers party boys as the pub-goers roll in and The Warratahs will attract a broader and fan-based out-of-town crowd in the lead-up.

KidsPlay

Again, research of those attending this community programme in 2004, indicated that mostly only mothers or grandparents were able to attend with the children because of the mid morning and afternoon timings. Something fresh, new and exciting was called for to give everyone in the family and opportunity to be part of the fun. So, in 2005, the Council’s Community Recreation team will run the Amazing Games around community parks from Saturday 8 to Thursday 13 January. Then the Events Team joins them to run Pacific-themed Pool Parties from the 13th to the 16th, from 3.30 to 5.30pm.

All new for 2005, the Events Team will run The Great Kids Camp-Out with the Guides Canterbury … an overnighter on CCC parks around the city! 18 to 22 January. Overall, the KidsPlay programme is designed to achieve positive social and community outcomes, this year, with a broader geographic and timing spread of activities … with the Campout for novelty!

The Press Kite Day Take it from the CCC Events Team, if it’s wind you want, be sure you’re headed for New Brighton! With Meridian Energy Fireworks Extravaganza and the Park to Pier Bike Ride behind us, we know that Easterly can bank up the head winds … so! The Press Kite Day is a very exciting new and unique addition to the Christchurch SummerTimes programme. With enormous thanks to The Kite Shop, this event is destined to be a great day of kite flying for everyone at the beach but, in addition, some of the world’s best kite fliers are coming to Christchurch and joining up with the legendary Peter Lynn for some totally stunning displays and extreme kite boarding! Sunday 16 January, 11am to 3pm

Teddy Bears’ Picnic Another hugely welcome partnership on SummerTimes 2005 is The Radio Network group of stations underwriting the CCC Events Team production of this most-favourite event. Sunday 13 February, 12 Noon to 4pm. The Teddy Bears’ Picnic has been running for over 20 years but, incredibly, has been rained out for the past FOUR years! The CCC and lovers of this event are crossing their fingers that the “change of management” will break the weather jinx!

Anthony Harper Lawyers Summer Theatre Audience research, again, indicated a change of mood for the Summer Theatre performance in 2005. Maybe it’s something about the most beautiful performance pozzie in the whole of Christchurch, but the call went out for a scripted play and the most appealing response came from the city’s celebrated and up-and-coming company, The Clinic. “The Reluctant Doctor of Love” by Moliere will be staged on the Daffodil Lawn, Botanic Gardens, from Friday 28 January to Sunday 13 February.

ASB Bank Starry Nights This year’s production from Showbiz Christchurch is “Starry Nights in Hollywood” …“ Featuring favourites from- Fred Astaire to Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe to Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Time Warp from Rocky Horror Picture Show, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Lion King, The Sound of Music, Raiders of The Lost Ark. This is the largest stage show in New Zealand! And the Christchurch City Council is delighted that ASB Bank has renewed their naming rights sponsorship for a further three years.

Rick Armstrong Motors Classical Sparks Audience research at Classical Sparks 2004, showed a strong call for more modern music and Maori input. Both suggestions are covered by the opening piece … AORAKI by Garreth Farr with soprano - Deborah Wai Kapohe, bass baritone – Eddie Muliaumaseali’i and Te Ahi Kaaroa hapa haka troupe of Ngai Tahu. That old warhorse conclusion to Classical Sparks – Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture gets a radical make-over in 2005, at least from the audience point of view. In fact, the performance will be closer to the way the composer intended than it has been for years. We’re are bringing in 16 cannons, the Christchurch Cathedral bells will peel in live, the Christchurch Symphony will be augmented by the Canterbury Foundation Brass and the whole shooting match (literally!) will run 16 minutes. The impact of this authentic performance will not-so metaphorically blow the audience away. Anyone who comes to Rick Armstrong Motors Classical Sparks primarily for the fireworks finale is in for a delightful surprise because there’s an orchestral premiere earlier in the night … with fireworks!

Anthony Harper Lawyers New Year’s Eve Party Friday, 31 December, 9.00pm to 12.30pm, Cathedral Square

The Warratahs: The Warratahs were formed in Wellington in 1985. They played a 2 year residency at The Cricketer's Arms Tavern in Wellington playing mostly a 1950’s style of acoustic country music with songs and influences from Hank Williams, Jimmy Rodgers, Hank Snow etc. The band built up a large and loyal following and more original songs started to appear on the repertoire. They also started touring and in 1987 came down to the Gold Guitars where they won the 'Best Group' title. Later that year 'Hands of My Heart' - the first single - was released. It received national airplay and became a hit. 2 months later 'Only Game in Town' - their first album was released. The album clocked up gold sales and spent 26 weeks on the charts. The band continued to tour extensively and went to nearly every corner of New Zealand. By this time 'Maureen' - Barry Saunders penned song - had become a second single from the album and received a lot of airplay. The Warratahs then started working in Australia, mostly Sydney and Melbourne, to a great response and a steadily building following. They then released their 2nd album - 'Too Hot To Sleep' - featuring the singles 'St Peter's Rendezvous' and 'Bruno's Last Ride'. Touring continued and tours with Billy Joel and Johnny Cash (twice) followed.

The band released 2 more albums - 'Wild Card' and 'Big Sky' plus a 'Best Of' album which went platinum. By this time they had been touring continually for 8 years - the touring came to a stop but the writing continued. Singer / Songwriter Barry Saunders released 2 solo albums in that period - 'Weatherman' and 'Magnetic South' - the latter winning the NZ Music Country Album Award. 99 was the time to tour again, Alan Norman joined on piano & accordion and the band hit the road with Sam Hunt on The Drivin' Wheel Tour to find the following was as strong as ever. In November 1999 they released their latest album - 'One Of Two Things' to much acclaim and this record also picked up the NZ Music Country Album Award. The album features guest appearances by Sam Hunt and Caroline Easther. This last year the band have spent touring and putting a “Best Of” album together with their 18 years of music and some new songs. A Live album is also in the pipeline for next year as they want to do something which captures the spirit of the band in a live situation. The Bubblemen Mike Kane - Guitar, Vocals Andy Genge - Guitar, Vocals Shaun Edwards-Brown - Lead Vocals Ben Sayers - Drums Marcel McAnally - Bass, Vocals World famous in Christchurch as being an immensely versatile fully 'live' 5 piece party band, the Bubblemen play the favourite covers from the 60's to the naughties covering all popular musical styles including Pop, Rock 'n Roll, Country, Reggae, Disco, Jazz and Irish. The Bubblemen have many collective years of professional experience providing entertainment and fun for all.

Pacific Pool Parties Thursday 13 January to Sunday 16 January, 3.30pm to 5.30pm Jahmen Jahmen have been together since 1993 and island reggae with a bit Ska-originals. Influences on their music include Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Lucky Dube and Marcus Garreg. Some of their past performances include Tasi and Ua and One Love festivals, Mai Time, Polyfests and both the Lincoln and Canterbury University orientations. In 2003 Jahmen released their first CD entitled ?? The five piece band are: Guitar – Steve Tafea Keyboard – Fui Fatuleai Fiso Percussion – Allan Asomua Bass – Malua Iakopo Drums – Mark Molioo

The Press Kite Day Sunday 16 January, 11am to 3pm New Brighton Beach By the Pier Bring you togs! Bring your picnic! And bring your kite to fly with the many spectacular kites and tricks performed by some of the worlds Leading kite flyers, who are flying into Christchurch especially for this event!

THE GREAT KIDS CAMPOUT Tuesday 18 January to Saturday 22 January, 5:30pm to 8.30am Organised by: The Christchurch City Council Events Team In association with Guides Canterbury P R O G R A M M E Tuesday 18 January: Cuthberts Green Wednesday 19 January: Elmwood Park Thursday 20 January: Halswell Quarry Friday 21 January: Parklands Reserve Saturday 22 January: Hansen Park PAX: Maximum of 200 attendees (campers) Ratio: 1 Adult to 3 children Supply own tent, Guides have 10 spare Possibly 60 “pup” tents on site each night 5.00pm Guides and Events Team on site & set-up 5.30pm Campers start arriving. Assist families setting up tents 6.30pm Barbeque Tea. Bring/cook your own 7.00pm Dishes and tidy up

7.30pm Commence Wide Game activities Team Building Squish Balls Rope Bridges Spiders Web Kims Game Strop Hangers A-Frame transporter Tent pole knitting Grass skiis Stilts Giant games Parachutes Earthball Water relay Egg & Sheet Bead Trefoil Make a badge 8.30pm Commence camp fire sing-along. Torches and song books Gas-fired campfire 9.30pm Supper and bed time. 7.00am Breakfast served

Anthony Harper Lawyers Summer Theatre Friday 28 January to Sunday 13 February Daffodil Lawns, Christchurch Botanic Gardens The Company: Founded in 1999, the Clinic is a Christchurch based collective of video artists, theatre practitioners and conceptual artists. The company has developed a reputation for presenting pacy, innovative, interdisciplinary works and are Christchurch based with excellent production support. Recently funded by Creative New Zealand for national tour, the Clinic are specialists in this form of theatre. The Reluctant Doctor of Love by Moliere A classic farce in which true lovers are brought together by the folly of clowns. Geronte is a wealthy man who seeks a doctor for his daughter, Lucinde, because she has become a mute. Martine wishes to take revenge on her husband, Sganarelle, the fool. So Martine tells Geronte’s servants that her husband is a great doctor – but he will deny it unless beaten. Sganarelle is taken to Geronte’s house – but he begins to enjoy all the attention paid to his absurd medical jargon. And here’s where the romantic plot is revealled: Lucinde is in love with Leandre and she is only pretending to be mute in order to avoid a marriage that her father wishes to impose on her. So Sganarelle decides to help the young lovers by sneaking Leandre into the house as another doctor. Lucinde recovers her voice as soon as she sees her lover – in fact, she becomes so talkative that her father begs Sganarelle to make her mute again. The lovers escaper, but Geronte allows them to marry when it is revealled that Leandre has inherited a fortune.

Teddy Bears’ Picnic Sunday 13 February 2004, 12noon to 4pm North Hagley Park Have a fun family day out with your favourite furry friend! Christchurch’s most adored event of the year…The Radio Network Group of Stations presents The Teddy Bears’ Picnic for SummerTimes 2005. A gorgeous picnic atmosphere in Hagley Park with entertainment, fun and food. The Teddy Bears’ Picinic is a firm tradition of the SummerTimes programme. Set in the glorious greenery of Hagley Park, it’s been running since at least 1985! On 16 January, 1996 a Guinness World Record was achieved when 16,837 teddy bears and their care-givers attended.

ASB Bank Starry Nights Saturday 19 February 2005, 8:30pm to 10.00pm North Hagley Park It’s the biggest stage show in New Zealand! The all singing, all-dancing cast of hundreds, with Showbiz Christchurch stars, under the stars, supported by the Christchurch Symphony. STARRY NIGHTS 2005

ACT ONE Overture That’s Entertainment Played by the Christchurch Symphony and Featuring Singers and Dancers from Showbiz Christchurch Original Movie – The Band Wagon

Icons Marilyn Monroe Big Spender Diamonds Performed by Singers and Dancers from Showbiz Christchurch Original Movie – Sweet Charity & Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Elvis Presley Medley Performed by Starry Nights Children’s ensemble Songs from Various Elvis Presley Movies Guest Performer Ali Harper Evergreen Original Movie – A Star Is Born Disney Circle Of Life Performed by Soloists and Singers from Showbiz Christchurch Original Movie – The Lion King 1930’s Movie Music Let’s Face The Music and Dance A Tribute to Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers and the 1930’s Hollywood Movie Musical Performed by Dancers from Showbiz Christchurch and the Christchurch Symphony Vocal Down with Love From the movie – Down With Love Orchestra Medley from The Sound of Music Performed by the Christchurch Symphony Sister Act Medley Performed by Singers and Dancers from Showbiz Christchurch Original Movie - Sister Act

ACT TWO Disco I Love The Nightlife - Medley Performed by Singers and Dancers from Showbiz Christchurch Original Movies = Austin Powers/ Priscilla Queen of the Desert / Saturday Night Fever / Can’t Stop The Music Guest Performer Ali Harper You Make Me Feel Like Dancing Jesus Christ Superstar Judas Heaven on Their Minds Mary I Don’t Know How To Love Him Performed by the cast of Jesus Christ Superstar Showbiz Christchurch 2005 Original Movie – Jesus Christ Superstar Bridge Over Troubled Water Performed by Singers from Showbiz Christchurch Horror The Rocky Horror Time Warp Performed by Singers and Dancers from Showbiz Christchurch Original Movie – The Rocky Horror Show Epic Raiders Of The Lost Ark Performed by the Christchurch Symphony Finale We Are The Champions Performed by the Entire Company from Showbiz Christchurch and The Christchurch Symphony

STEPHEN ROBERTSON – DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER Stephen is a Wellington-based Director but spends much of the year touring New Zealand directing, choreographing and designing musical theatre productions, corporate events and children’s entertainment. He has amassed an impressive resume of directing credits in many centres over the years. Seasons for Showbiz Christchurch include Me and My Girl, Anything Goes, A Chorus Line, Chess, 42nd Street, WestEnd to Broadway I & II, Les Miserables, Grease, and the critically acclaimed 2002 production of Fiddler on the Roof. Other favourite productions include Cabaret, Chicago, West Side Story and Tell Me On A Sunday. Stephen is also an accomplished performer and has toured New Zealand and Australasia with various productions including Evita, Chess, The Pirates of Penzance and Jesus Christ Superstar. Stephen is also in demand for staging large-scale theatrical events and corporate functions, these include the Rat Pack Tribute Ball at the Duxton Hotel, Wellington and four seasons of ASB Bank Starry Nights. He has toured and directed for performing arts schools and runs theatre workshops for child performers with an interest in musical theatre. More recent productions have included Barry Manilow’s Copacabana for the Invercargill Musical Theatre Company and the sumptuous My Fair Lady at the St James Theatre in Wellington for which he also designed the stunning costumes. Stephen’s next project is a production of Jesus Christ Superstar for Showbiz Christchurch at the Town Hall in April/May 2005.

Richard Marrett - Musical Director Richard is in demand throughout the country as a full-time, musical director and is also an accomplished pianist, arranger and composer. From study at Victoria University, Richard moved to Christchurch to train as a secondary music teacher and gain his LRSM. He first taught at Rangiora High School and was then appointed as Head of Music at Middleton Grange School. During these years he created the music for a number of original productions and in 1995 composed the powerful score for THE THIRD DAY. Since beginning his freelance career eight years ago, he has had many varied opportunities to share his talents with performers throughout the country: he has lectured at the Christchurch Jazz School, conducted and arranged for the Christchurch Symphony, Wellington Sinfonia, The Court Theatre, Showbiz Christchurch, Wellington Musical Theatre, ARTCO, Dunedin Operatic, Canterbury Music Theatre, the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art and the Choral Federation. Several of his orchestrations have been recorded with the NZSO and he has a busy schedule working as producer and arranger on a number of recording projects, the most recent of which is Ali Harper’s debut CD which was released in October of this year. Richard’s close involvement with musical theatre began as pianist for shows such as ANYTHING GOES, 42ND STREET, CHESS and SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN. Since then his numerous musical direction credits include MAME, THE KING AND I, SWEET CHARITY, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, TELL ME ON A SUNDAY, WEST END TO BROADWAY I AND II, OVATION!, MY FAIR LADY, 42ND STREET, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, SOUTH PACIFIC, ANNIE, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, GREASE and ONCE WERE WARRIORS, on stage in 2004, for which he also composed the score. Highlights in his programme in recent years have been conducting ASB BANK STARRY NIGHTS and seasons of LES MISERABLES in Dunedin, Wellington and Christchurch.

Rick Armstrong Motors Classical Sparks Saturday 12 March 2005, 7.30pm to 9.30pm North Hagley Park 2005 PROGRAMME 6.30pm Canterbury Foundation Brass 7.30pm Christchurch Symphony conducted by Music Director, Marc Taddei First Half AORAKI Composer - Gareth Farr Deborah Wai Kapohe – soprano Eddie Muliaumaseali’i – bass baritone Te Ahikaaroa kappa haka Overture to Zampa Composer – Herold Porgy and Bess Suite Composer – Gershwin Garcia arrangement Deborah Wai Kapohe Eddie Muliaumaseali’I Espana Composer – Chabrier

Second Half Radetzky March Composer – Strauss Symphony No5, First Movement Composer – Beethoven Fireworks music from the Olympics Suite Composer - Psathas Accompanied by fireworks Light Cavalry Overture Composer – Von Suppe Opera Suite Deborah Wai Kapohe Eddie Muliaumaseali’I 1812 Overture Composer - Tchaikovsky Accompanied by: Canterbury Foundation Brass band 16 cannons Bells of Christchurch Cathedral Fireworks

Eddie Muliaumaseali'i Eddie is a charismatic Opera Singer with immense vocal talent and stage presence and is now based in Melbourne.Eddie began formal training in 1995 and in a short time has attained considerable achievements including: Performing the role of Joe in Showboat, and the role of Sam in Un Ballo in Maschera for the Landestheater in Innsbruck, Austria; A new role written specifically for Eddie in Im Sturm (The Storm) also performed in Austria 2001; Being selected to take part in Masterclasses at Wigmore Hall chaired by Brigette Fassbaender; Winning the prestigious McDonalds's Operatic Aria competition in Sydney, Australia Singing to an audience of 240,000 in an outdoor Symphony Under the Stars concert in New Zealand; Performing a lead role in Porgy and Bess at the Sydney Opera House; Performing as regular soloist with Queensland Pops Orchestra and the Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra. Eddie's outstanding talent is combined with his passion and commitment to be an international soloist on the Opera stage. Maestro Richard Bonynge said Eddie has,"an outstanding voice and all the attributes of an operatic star. He has tremendous presence, I was very impressed with him and think he should go far." Richard Bonygne, The Australian 7/97 AWARDS. 1999 Finalist Metropolitan Opera Regional Auditions 1997 McDonalds Operatic Aria Award - Sydney 1997 Finalist - Metropolitan Opera Regional Awards 1997 The Emily Hammond Musical Scholarship 1996 AMP Queensland Youth Music Award 1995 Elizabeth Muir Memorial Prize 1994 Bessie Dougall Memorial Bursary

Deborah Wai Kapohe Worldwide, few professional opera singers can claim so diverse a repertoire of talents as New Zealand’s Deborah Wai Kapohe. Recognised as New Zealand’s most promising soprano (the Dominion 2002), Deborah is also regarded as a contemporary singer, singer / songwriter and guitarist. Deborah’s national and international career continues to develop at an impressive rate. Recognised as an outstanding talent in New Zealand, she has performed in operas, musicals, contemporary Maori music, arts, festivals, proms, concerts, recitals, self accompanied guitar and voice recitals and special events throughout New Zealand and Australia, as well as in the UK, China and South Africa. Her traditional operatic roles include Pamina in The Magic Flute, Mimi in La Boheme, Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus, Sophie in Massenet’s Werther, Adalgisa in Norma, Nannetta in Falstaff, and Leila in The Pearl Fishers. Her Premiere Opera performances include Outrageous Fortune by New Zealand composer Gillian Whitehead, Wide Sargasso Sea and Gauguin for Chamber Made In Australia; and Grandma’s Shoes, a joint production between Opera Australia and Theatre of Image in Sydney, January 2000. Special events include singing for the Duke of Edinburg World Fellows at St James Palace, Cathcart Spring Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, Sydney Olympic Arts Festival with the NZSO, Jade Stadium (rugby internationals) and a gathering of Royal Families at Huka Lodge. Since 1998 she has released 3 CDs as a singer / songwriter in the alternative folk genre on her label Ring Trout CDs. 2004 began with a commission to write and perform a song for Waitangi Day with the Southern Sinfonia in Dunedin followed by a national tour of her own music with Arts on Tour New Zealand.

Marc Taddei One of New Zealand.s most dynamic and critically acclaimed conductors, Marc Taddei is the Music Director of the Christchurch Symphony. Marc is also the Associate Conductor of the Auckland Philharmonia. Critically noted for his perceptive interpretations, the Christchurch Press wrote, "You will never get a routine interpretation from Taddei." Critics have also noted the huge leap in performance quality that Marc Taddei has brought to the Christchurch Symphony since the start of his appointment as Music Director with the Christchurch Symphony in 2001, including the scholarly publication, "Music in New Zealand". His approach to programming has been the feature of a major nation wide magazine article and has prompted the Christchurch Star to write, "Marc Taddei balances new and familiar like a skilled juggler", while the Christchurch Press has written about the "cleverly programmed and well managed" programmes that have been a feature of his tenure as Music Director. Marc Taddei is a regular guest conductor of every major professional orchestra in New Zealand and frequently conducts in the United States. Recent engagements have been with the Oregon Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Symphony Orchestra and a tour with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. He makes his debut with the Louisiana Philharmonic in October. A frequent performer on television, in 2004 Marc will be conducting and serving as Chairman of the Judges for the prestigious New Zealand Young Musician of the Year competition to be televised on TVNZ. He has previously appeared with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra for a nationally televised New Years concert and with the Christchurch Symphony on numerous occasions. Marc has a significant recorded discography has also recorded soundtracks for TV3, TVNZ, CTV, Cloud Nine Productions and the NZ Natural History Film Unit in New Zealand and C4 Productions in the UK. The film produced for C4 productions, based on Wagner.s Ring Cycle, won the Special Jury Prize at the Prix de Bale 2000 for the greatest contribution to European culture in television. Marc.s recordings have been released by SONY, ATOLL, Columbia, Trust, BMG, Zomba, Kiwi Pacific, Concordance and Koch. Previous albums have been nominated for and have been finalists for the Classical Album of the Year awards in New Zealand. His recorded repertoire spans orchestral repertoire from over four centuries and numerous styles, including a double-platinum selling pop recording for Sony in 2003. His commitment to contemporary composers has resulted in many recordings of new work. The American record guide said of his Berlioz .Bartok recording that featured Berlioz. Harold in Italy and the Bartok Viola concerto that, "this is one of the best Harolds you will find anywhere and the Bartok will appeal to anyone dissatisfied by previous editions of the score."

In addition to his subscription concert performances, Marc is in demand as a conductor of lighter music and has worked with such musical luminaries as Art Garfunkel, Diana Krall, Bobby Shew, Kenny Rogers, Anika Moa, Bic Runga, and Midge Marsden among others. Marc.s work in the popular field with the Christchurch Symphony has been critically acclaimed as "innovative" and a "testament to the vision of the orchestra and its musical director, Marc Taddei", by the Christchurch Press. A noted educationalist, his students now occupy principal positions in every major professional orchestra in New Zealand. Te Ahikaaroa kapa haka The Kapa started in 1993 when a small group of people came together to sing and haka. Over a decade later the group is well established with more than 100 active members from all iwi with the bulk from Ngai Tahu and Ngati Porou. They were named “Best New Group” when they made their debut at the 2000 national kapa haka festival at Turangawaewae. In August this year Te Ahikaaroa kapa haka were second placed at the Waitaha Cultural Council’s 2004 Competitions. In the New Year they will be representing Waitaha at the National Festival.

LOCAL COMPOSERS John Psathas At 38, John Psathas is New Zealand's most frequently performed composer, his work being played in dozens of countries every year. He has established a solid international profile with commissions stretching years ahead. Rattle has a long standing relationship with the Wellington based composer which now extends over 11 years and three CD's. But the composers personal artistic vision was first realized comprehensively in his debut album Rhythm Spike released by Rattle and picked as NZ Classical Album of the Year. John Psathas was chosen from more than 600 international composers to write and arrange 13 pieces of music for the Athens Olympics, including the official fanfares and ceremonial music during the opening and closing ceremonies. It took John seven months and four trips to Greece to complete the project, which involved creating music for up to 250 musicians to record for the Olympics opening ceremony. This included compositions and arrangements for the Olympic Flag, the arrival and setting of the flame, and music for the fireworks. While remaining New Zealand based (at the Victoria School of Musico John Psathas has managed to develop a substantial international career. He has collaborated with percussion superstar EVELYN GLENNIE and drum-god TERRY BOZZIO (ex-Frank Zappa) His work has been performed by MICHAEL BRECKER, SINFONICA DELL'EMILIA-ROMAGNA' TOSCANINI', the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the NEW JUILLIARD ENSEMBLE, and New York's DOUBLE EDGE. Psathas has written extensively for Evelyn Glennie, who, in her New York debut devoted nearly half her programme to Psathas pieces, and he is also writing for acclaimed percussionists the SAFRI DUO. his percussion orientated pieces, Matre's Dance and Drum Dances, are well on the way to becoming standard repertoire. Closer to home, John Psathas he has written for New Zealand's leading and chamber groups. His music is energetic and vibrant, with a passionate exuberance that is a product of his Greek heritage. In his music one can hear both the Western classical tradition as well as the kinetic enthusiasm found in jazz and folk music. His compositional style is difficult to define as each piece is unique and creates its own musical language, but regardless of the medium, there is a constant intensity and immediacy in his writing. Mentor and now colleague, Jack Body has said, "Many of his compositions have an energy and drive more extreme than any other music I know - it sweeps one up on a frantic roller-coaster ride and carries one to that height of exhilaration."

Gareth Farr Gareth Farr is amongst the most versatile and successful composers of contemporary music working in New Zealand today. He is well known to different audiences as a composer, a skilled percussionist, and as a stunning drag artist. Farr was born in Wellington, New Zealand, and he studied composition, orchestration and electronic music at Auckland University. During this time he was a regular player with the Auckland Philharmonia and the Karlheinz Company. Further study followed at Victoria University of Wellington, where he came to prominence with compositions that often employed or were influenced by the Indonesian gamelan orchestra. He played frequently as a percussionist with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra before departing New Zealand to study composition with Christopher Rouse at the Eastman School in Rochester, New York, where he graduated Master of Music. In 1993, at the age of 25, Gareth became Chamber Music New Zealand’s youngest composer-in-residence. Since then, his works have been commissioned and performed by the NZSO, the Auckland Philharmonia, the Wellington Sinfonia, the New Zealand String Quartet, and a variety of other professional musicians in New Zealand and overseas. From the Depths Sound the Great Sea Gongs, a commission from the NZSO to commemorate the orchestra’s 50th anniversary, was premiered at a Gala Concert in March 1997. Gareth was commissioned to write a work to celebrate the opening of Te Papa, the museum of New Zealand, and the resulting work, combining symphony orchestra with soprano, tenor and karanga (native New Zealand Maori chant) was hailed as “music with a powerful and moving impact that transcends idiom and individual taste”. A recent highlight was the performance of two of Gareth’s works by the NZSO at the Sydney Olympics; the percussion concerto Hikoi which was composed for and performed by the internationally-renowned Evelyn Glennie, and Wairua, a unique work combining a Maori kapa haka (performing arts) group with the full symphony orchestra.

CANNONS TO THE LEFT OF THEM CANNONS TO THE RIGHT OF THEM … The sight of Johnny Depp bestride the decks, dodging the cannon balls, in “Pirates of the Caribbean” shivered the timbers of women world-wide but the biggest noise about that movie wasn’t fired out of Hollywood. The cannon sound effects were recorded in Wellington and Christchurch will experience those effects, live, at Rick Armstrong Motors Classical Sparks on 12 March 2005. 16 cannons …mortars, field cannons and naval cannon replicas … will line up in front of the fireworks field ready for the most explosive finale to Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture even seen (or heard!) in Christchurch. For the Christchurch City Council’s Events Team Leader, this is business as usual. Islay McLeod event directed three Operas at The Basin concerts in Wellington and Opera at The Brook (Carisbrook), all culminating in the 1812, with 16 cannons and that’s not all! Christchurch may well be set for the first authentic 1812 in a long time. The piece is a 16 minute epic and the length played at Classical Sparks has been cut down in recent years. Only the full-length version creates the tension, the build-up and edgy anticipation of what’s to come. Tchaikovsky scored the 1812 for orchestra and brass band so the Canterbury Foundation Brass will join the Christchurch Symphony for the performance. Moscow Cathedral bells in the score will actually be the bells of Christchurch Cathedral on the night. And, although fireworks weren’t included in the “original” version, outdoor performances have come to feature the big sky fantasia. So, in the last five minutes of Rick Armstrong Classical Sparks 2005, the orchestra and brass band will be playing flat out, the Cathedral bells will be peeling, cannons firing like thunder and fireworks roaring overhead. Tchaikovsky wrote the 1812 Overture for its first performance in August 1882 and 123 years later, you still can’t turn down the volume on 16 cannons! Christchurch Symphony’s Music Director, Marc Taddei will be conducting Rick Armstrong Motors Classical Sparks and he has had plenty of experience of the 1812 with these cannons (with the NZSO at Opera at The Basin and Opera at The Brook). He says,” (The cannons) add monstrous impact. They’re heavier than heavy metal! The loudest sounds in music.” Roll on March 12th!

Sunday Bandstand 2.00pm to 3.00pm Dates Venue Band 23 January Botanic Gardens Woolston Junior Brass Band Victoria Square Caledonian Pipe Band Halswell Quarry Riccarton Pipe Band 30 January Botanic Gardens Canterbury Foundation Brass Victoria Square Woolston Brass Halswell Quarry Evergreen Big Band 6 February Botanic Gardens Caledonian Pipe Band Victoria Square Royal Stewart Pipe Band Halswell Quarry City Salvation Army Band 13 February Botanic Gardens Woolston Junior Brass Band Victoria Square Balmoral Pipe Band Halswell Quarry Addington Brass 20 February Botanic Gardens St Andrews College Pipe Band Victoria Square Canterbury Foundation Brass Halswell Quarry Royal Stewart Pipe Band 27 February Botanic Gardens Balmoral Pipe Band Victoria Square Woolston Brass Halswell Quarry Stedfast Silver Band

6 March Botanic Gardens New Brighton Silver Victoria Square Addington Brass Halswell Quarry Linwood Salvation Army 13 March Botanic Gardens Stedfast Silver Band Victoria Square City Salvation Army Halswell Quarry Evergreen Big Band 20 March Botanic Gardens St Andrews College Victoria Square Christchurch Symphony Brass Quintet Halswell Quarry Linwood Salvation Army 27 March Botanic Gardens Riccarton Pipe Band Victoria Square City Salvation Army Halswell Quarry Evergreen Big Band Additional Band performances during SummerTimes: Sunday 6 February: Edwardian Festival (Hagley Park) New Brighton Silver Brass Sunday 13 February: Teddy Bears Picnic 12noon – 1.00pm Woolston Junior Band Saturday 12 March Rick Armstrong Motors Classical Sparks Canterbury Foundation Brass performs with The Christchurch Symphony