Three sell-out performances by Orchestras Central in the Cambridge Town Hall shows orchestral experiences are an integral part of the Autumn Festival.
Comfortable Classical on Saturday afternoon, Vivaldi by Candlelight in the evening and a lazy Sunday afternoon of Fire and Romance with the Waikato Youth Orchestra proved the festival’s ethos “Something for Everyone” was spot on.
Cambridge Town Hall general manager Simon Brew is a classical saxophonist and conducts the Waikato Youth Orchestra. He is pictured with the baton at the orchestra’s Fire and Romance performance in the Town Hall. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
A worn-out festival chair Alana Mackay and her team of volunteers will debrief this week about the 10-day festival knowing most events hit the mark but there were some which failed to attract the numbers.
Not so with Orchestras Central who proved they are really part of the community bringing inspiration and joy to people of all ages and background.
Compositions by Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Stravinsky and New Zealand’s Dorothy Buchanan and Gareth Farr hit the mark in Cambridge’s Town Hall which continues to get plaudits for its atmosphere and acoustics.
Add in Youth Orchestra solos by Waikato Diocesan School for Girls’ student Kezia Schuitemaker on the violin and Hamilton Boys’ High School’s Matthew Colvin on the clarinet and an enthusiastic composer’s performance by Town Hall general manager Simon Brew, and the word “perfection” comes to mind.
Orchestras Central chief executive Catherine Gibson said she was thrilled with the community response and wants to continue to bring orchestral music to Cambridge, a town she now calls home.
Cambridge-based Orchestras Central Trust chief executive Catherine Gibson introduces Youth Orchestra Waikato for their Fire and Romance performance in the Town Hall held as part of the Cambridge Autumn Festival. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Youth Orchestra Waikato under the baton of Simon Brew. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
International magician Zero Xiao presented a fun and interactive magic show for children and the young at heart during the Cambridge Autumn Festival in The Woolshed at Te Awa Lifecare Village on Sunday. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
Take a bow: International magician Zero Xiao acknowledges another of his tricks during his fun and interactive magic show for children and the young at heart during the Cambridge Autumn Festival in The Woolshed at Te Awa Lifecare Village on Sunday. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Jason Wu, performs Biàn Liǎn, an ancient Chinese dramatic art of face-changing, at the Cambridge Autumn Festival in The Woolshed of Te Awa Lifecare Village. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
In the picture: International magician Zero Xiao performs another of his colour tricks while a member of the audience films him during the Cambridge Autumn Festival in The Woolshed at Te Awa Lifecare Village on Sunday. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Matthew Skinner of Browns Bay, Auckland looks bemused as Zero Xiao magician produces a heart-breaking trick which has him winning a packet of cookies rather than an I Phone, Macbook, $1000 or Sony Ps5. Xiao presented an interactive magic show for children and the young at heart during the Cambridge Autumn Festival in The Woolshed at Te Awa Lifecare Village on Sunday. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
