More than just a patchwork of music, on the middle weekend of the Armadale Arts Festival, the Classic Sounds Orchestra dazzled audiences at the Armadale District Hall.
With a program packed with world music and dance, everyone left the event with a spring in their step.
Cathie Travers on Piano Accordion used exquisite tango music to transport the audience to an intimate Argentinean café.
On the Banjo, Ian Simpson took the room on a journey to China with his composition All Aboard the Maglev.
Jane Nicholas works with indigenous children in her role as music teacher at Willandra primary school. Her acknowledgement to country was heartfelt and gave an insight in to her musical journey with the children.
Gavin Grace shared his Maori passion and rich voice while the Irish dancers from Celtic Academy showed why Bill Whelan’s energetic music from Lord of the Dance is so popular.
Interspersed throughout the variety show program, the orchestra performed with beauty that reminded onlookers of the loveliness of how special it is to witness live music.
Their program included highlights from French musical, Les Miserables, and American favourite, Henri Mancini’s The Pink Panther.
One lucky prizewinner got to come down from the audience and be the conductor while the orchestra played Romanian Waltz.
Joining the Classic Sounds Orchestra, Cathie Travers returned to the stage to perform theme music of Italian film, Cinema Paradiso.
With its origins in Peru, Chris Horgan performed on the Pan Pipes with CSO, El Condor Pasa.
Local entertainers from Roleystone Theatre, Sherrill Wallis, Jack Barker and Stuart Mangham, had the audience in stitches of laughter.
The Mad Tatters, with their colourful costumes, sticks and bells on their shins executed choreographed Morris dances with energy and flair as well as teaching the audience a modified dance of Shepherd’s Hey that they now call, “Covid Hey.”
Travelling from their workplace in Gingin were 30 performers who make up the group, The Vanuatu Singers. Their three-part harmonies and band filled every space in the Armadale District Hall.
Hearing beautiful performers share their traditional music and dance with concertgoers was a memorable and unique experience.
To conduct the CSO playing a medley of tunes from the recent film was none other than Wonder Woman.
The variety show ended with a fitting collaboration of the audience and all guest performers joining with the orchestra to sing, I Am Australian.
