Motueka rings to the sound of music

December 13th
[by David Armstrong]

Yesterday turned out to be a special day in the musical life of Motueka, with not one but three excellent musical events in town celebrating not only the musical talents of many locals but also the joy of Christmas.

Music festival

In Decks Reserve a free music festival ran continuously throughout the day showcasing musicians and bands from town and around, and providing a relaxed atmosphere for Sunday market shoppers who lay on the grass and soaked up the sunshine after making their purchases.

The event also provided a springboard for organiser Dana Orrock-Binnington to launch sales of the CD he has produced called Home - Songs in the Key of Motueka, which we hope to review for you shortly.

The festival provided music for the perennial dancers down the front and usually between 60 and 150 relaxing on the grass in the sun. The sound levels were excellent, allowing the amplified artists to show their talents without annoying those not wanting to be assailed by thumping beats.

Much of the music, including sets by The Valley Project and Pants Off, was original. A variety of high school performers gave a hint of further talents coming through, and Ralph Bennett-Eades was as entertaining as ever.

The Valley Project

Pants Off

Community Choirs and Tasman Brass Ensemble

An appreciative audience of about 120 yesterday afternoon enjoyed a mainly light choral concert mixing Christmas songs, audience carol singing and some brilliantly executed classical music classics by the brass ensemble at Memorial Hall.

Under the baton of the indefatigable and entertaining Carl Browning, and supported by ever reliable accompanist Bill Buck, the combination choir of 45 singers from Nelson, Motueka and Golden Bay performed a mix of items. Following from the choir's more classical concert in June, this time it was a more relaxed affair.

Highlights included a bright carol "Sir Christimas", an adventurous piece with complex rhythms and tight harmonies, very well executed; the rendition of a modern carol written and composed by Bill Buck himself; and a bright account of the perennial favourite "Ding dong merrily on high" showing confident harmonies and timing and great harmonic balance.

(In review mode, it needs to be mentioned that the ever problematic male section, particularly the basses, were strong and secure, providing a much better overall balance to the harmonies throughout.)

Of course, while the choir is an occasional act, the Tasman Brass Ensemble are true professionals of world-class standing, and their items were very well received. Although perhaps a little shaky or perhaps rusty by strict standard in the first half, they wowed the audience as the concert went on.

Their fast-paced "Sabre Dance" was thrilling and their rendition of the universally popular "The Swan", normally performed by cello, was breathtakingly beautiful (judging by the audible breaths being taken by the audience at the end) when played by Mike Ford, New Zealand's current champion horn player.

The choir enjoyed singing carols with the brass support, and this led to enthusiastic and strong audience carol singing as well, particularly in the final verse of some carols when the audience had to carry the melody as the choir and band soared off with descants. And there's nothing like a brass fanfare to kick off some of your favourite carols.

Carols by Lamplight

An even larger crowd turned up at Bev and Ernie Dyke’s woolshed in Lower Moutere for a carols celebration in what may well be the closest Kiwi setting you could get to the original manger post-natal ward. The event has been running for about 23 years, Bev estimates, but this year the attendance was probably a record.

At least 160 people were counted, packed (don't tell the Health Department) into the woolshed along with hay bales and several appreciative (and occasional very vocal) sheep. Windowless interior and exterior walls meant many could take part outside the building. And the aroma was ... er ... let's say 'authentic'.

The night is hosted by the Salvation Army and supported by other churches, with the St Andrews Uniting Church providing two modern hymn items. Carol singing music was provided, ably as always, by a subsection of the Municipal Brass Band under the enthusiastic direction of John Rimmer. What a superb contribution the band make to these and other community occasions. The strength of their playing encouraged the audience to sing all the favourite carols with equal enthusiasm.

Bev MC'd the evening most capably, pitching in also to play piano for many carols. And a musical highlight of the evening was four items put on by the highly talented a capella foursome "Sisterhood". This also turned out to be the comedic highlight of the night as the sheep in the next stall decided to join in. All credit to Sisterhood for keeping it going in the face of such hilariously timed competition.

Also deserving note was the array of tapestries, quilts and other simple ornaments prepared by Bev that helped transform the woolshed into a place of basic worship that even the grandest cathedrals could not match for atmosphere.

The Municipal Brass Band

Sisterhood

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