Well what a first week of the ACO2's inaugral tour to regional WA! The orchestra has played to sold-out concerts in Narrogin, Katanning, Albany and Manjimup with all audiences shouting for more. The first concert in Narrogin was at the Narrogin and Districts Senior Citizen's Centre. The enthusiastic audience enjoyed the concert enormously and were keen to chat to the musicians after the performance over some wine and home-baked treats. There was a little drama before the concert, with some of the musicians getting bogged when exploring a near-by salt lake. They got out eventually but were a little late for the seating call, but excused themselves by stating "The locals get bogged there too so it's not just us"!
The second stop was Katanning and another appreciative crowd. In fact an audience member from the Narrogin concert drove all the way to Katanning to see the concert again. The next morning the orchestra made a special visit to Katanning Senior High School to play to 180 students in years 8, 9 and 10. The students couldn't take their eyes of the musicians and listened attentively for the whole concert, which featured instrument demonstrations, discussions about the music and some anecdotes from our young musicians about why they love playing music. Afterwards they crowded around the musicians to ask more questions about their instruments and life as a musician.
The reception in Albany was warm and inviting to say the least. One of the local teachers, Vickie Reynolds, generously opened her beautiful home to the ACO2 and some of the musicians around Albany for dinner on the night before the concert. A home-cooked meal was just what the musicians needed and it was fantastic to hear about the vibrant musical culture in Albany. It's funny to imagine that at the very bottom corner of WA there would be such an active string community and the town was abuzz with anticipation for the workshops and concert on Friday. The musicians didn't disappoint and both workshops were enormously successful, leaving the students with motivation to achieve their best for the rest of the year. The town was also raving after the concert, loving the variety and quality of the program and of course the playing.
Next stop was the timber town of Manjimup, and despite being rained out of what was meant to be an outdoor performance, the alternative venue of the Town Hall proved just as lovely. The punters, who had purchased picnic hampers to eat in the park, were quite happy to bring them in and picnic in the Town Hall before the concert. Again the reception was warm and enthusiastic and a great time was had by all.
The orchestra enjoyed a well deserved free day in Margaret River yesterday before tonight's concert at the Margaret River Cultural Centre. They lunched at Cullen Wines and had a delicious cake for Julian Thompson's birthday, and then many went on to a local wine bar to relax before the second week of touring. Tomorrow we are off to Bunbury and then to our final concert in Mt Helena in the Perth Hills.
Thanks to Wesfarmers for their support!
