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Christchurch City Council Media Release Monday 5 February 1998

Talented young soloists a special feature of festival’s finale.

Southpower Classical Sparks

Saturday 14 March, 7.00pm to 9.00pm, North Hagley Park

Four talented young solo musicians will be a special feature of Southpower Classical Sparks, the final event of the 1998 SummerTimes festival held in North Hagley Park on Saturday 14 March.

Proving that age is no barrier to great music, the four youngsters will perform in front of an expected audience of around 100,000 people, accompanied by the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.

Nine year old Sarah Lee has only been playing the cello for two years. During this short period her progress with the instrument has been outstanding according to tutor Natalia Pavlutskaya. At Southpower Classical Sparks she will perform The Swan by Saint Saens and Glazunov’s Serenade Espagnole. Her performance at the event precedes a trip to Austria in April where she will take part in the International Cello Competitions.

Fourteen year old Jeremy Thin, 19 year old Craig Given and 16 year old Roanna Cooper will together perform Green’s Xylophonia. All three are current or previous members of the New Zealand Post Christchurch Youth Orchestra. Both Roanna and Craig are members of the CSO’s percussion section while Jeremy is Principal Percussionist of the 1998 National Youth Brass Band.

For the first time Anthony Ferner will be the conductor for Southpower Classical Sparks. Anthony’s initial musical training took place in Christchurch before he studied flute, the piano and conducting at the Guildhall School of Music in London. He has since performed in Australia, England, Italy, Russia and Germany. Between 1987 and 1996 he was a member of the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra. Currently he is the Principal Flute for the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra while continuing to conduct concerts in New Zealand and Australia.

Popular radio hosts Simon Barnett and Phil Gifford of 92 More FM will compere the event which will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display choreographed to Tchaikowsky’s Capriccio Italien.

Once again the superscreen will afford a front row view to the whole audience. Southpower Classical Sparks programmes will be given away on site and parking is available in North Hagley Park for $3.00 by entering off the westbound lane of Harper Avenue or eastbound off Riccarton Avenue. Food and refreshments will also be available on site.

ENDS

For further information contact the SummerTimes Publicity Co-ordinator,

Katie Macbeth, on (03) 941 8495, (025) 227 2916

or email: (katie.macbeth@ccc.govt.nz) katie.macbeth@ccc.govt.nz


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