The Wangaratta Symphony Orchestra (WSO) is embracing music from the New World in its upcoming concert, ‘Images of the New World’, which will take place at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre (WPACC) on Sunday, 7 September. While Dvorak’s 9th Symphony ‘From the New World’ will take focus throughout the program, the show also welcomes remarkable soloist performances from orchestra members Timothy Wong and Emma Lang. Tim is a well-known musician in Wangaratta. He has been here all his life, except for when he studied at Canberra School of Music, majoring in piano and performance. He has performed many times at the WPACC, including Steinway on Stage with Emma Lang. While piano is Tim’s first instrument, he also plays clarinet in both the Wangaratta Symphony Orchestra and the Wangaratta Concert Band. He is an original member of WSO, having attended its very first meeting in King George Gardens in January 2020. Tim’s early music interest was fostered by both his uncle, who played piano, and by his father who played the organ. He was about five years old when he started to learn the piano. Tim is excited to be a soloist in this concert, where he will play Mozart’s Piano Concerto; the beautiful and well- known second movement, Andante, with the orchestra; and then Schubert’s Impromptus No. 3 on his own. For Tim, being a musician is a noble calling, one that he thinks about a lot and that challenges him still. “Put the effort in, especially in the early years,” said Tim to budding musicians. “Be as creative as you can." Unlike Tim, Emma only recently became a Wangaratta resident after moving here in January 2022 as an audiologist to join a local audiology company. While she had lived in Albury as a child, she had spent little time in Wangaratta before moving here, but was delighted to find many people she had met before in different music circles. She was especially delighted to find that Wangaratta had a symphony orchestra, as it gave her an instant connection into the local community. Emma leads the cello section and co-leads string sectionals when needed as part of her role with the symphony orchestra. “It’s nice to assist the strings in gaining confidence playing as a section and using the extensive training I've had to help our orchestra flourish,” she said. Music featured strongly in Emma’s childhood, as her mother taught flute at Murray Conservatorium in Albury. At four years old, she began piano lessons, and at six, she began cello. “I had excellent teachers at that time who helped me develop and appreciate music,” Emma said. However, in high school and early university years, Emma felt pressured and lost the joy of playing. She's found a healthier balance in music not being her whole focus; it is a choice and a joy. “Music allows me to connect with others and to express something of who I am and how I feel,” she said. “Music builds community and gives joy to both players and those listening. “It is an important part of mental health for many people.” For those learning to play an instrument, Emma encourages them to understand that your self-worth is not determined by how well you play. “Be patient with yourself as you learn, and take encouragement with small progress,” she said. Emma will play two solo cello pieces with the orchestra at the concert; Haydn Cello Concerto in C Major, and Dvorak’s Silent Woods. She is looking forward to leading the cello section playing the Dvorak’s 9th Symphony in its entirety. You can see these soloists perform with the WSO at the WPACC on Sunday, 7 September at 2.30pm with tckets are available from wpacc.com.au/Whats-On/WSO-Images-of-the-New-World. * What's on in brief Timor-Leste friendship celebration dinner Three Timor-Leste friendship groups in the Indi region will come together to celebrate 20 years of friendship with a dinner on Saturday, September 20 at the Uniting Church Hall in Rowan Street, Wangaratta. Including members and friends from Wangaratta, Ovens Valley, Indigo Shire and Mansfield, there will be live music with the Mystic Trio band, video links to Timor-Leste, a raffle and other entertainment. It will be held from 6pm to 9pm (BYO grazing platter and alcohol, with tea and coffee provided) and tickets are $25 per person, available from trybooking.com/DEBZT. * Exhibition of artworks by Karen Brown A new exhibition by resident artist Karen Brown called Beneath Your Feet is open at the Art Gallery on Ovens in the laneway off Murphy Street. Karen is an Albury based artist who celebrates the uniqueness of eucalyptus foliage in detailed works created using coloured and graphite pencils and acrylic paint. The exhibition will be open Thursday, Friday and Monday from 10am until 4pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 2pm and entry is free. * Shamrock Tenors coming to Wangaratta Direct from Belfast and London’s West End, Ireland’s newest music sensation, Shamrock Tenors, will play at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre on Sunday, 31 August at 3pm. Joined by a band of the country’s best multi-instrumentalists, the tenors will light up the stage with soaring five-part harmony bringing a fresh energy to your favourite tunes from the Emerald Isle and classics like Whiskey in the Jar, The Parting Glass, Wild Rover and Danny Boy. Tickets are available now at wpacc.com.au. * The Gruffalo's Child live on stage Presented by CDP Kids and Tall Stories and adapted from the award-winning picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, The Gruffalo's Child will be presented live on stage at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre on Monday, 1 September and Tuesday, 2 September. If you loved The Gruffalo, don't miss the sequel, which follows the Gruffalo’s Child on her adventurous mission into the deep, dark wood, in a magical musical adaptation of the much-loved picture book. Bringing together physical theatre, music and puppetry to deliver songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged three and up, and their adults, tickets for The Gruffalo's Child are available for the Monday show at 6pm at wpacc.com.au. * Old School Night Out at local halls Enjoy an Old School Night Out at a local community hall, when the Rural City of Wangaratta presents a series of four events in regional locations. This year’s tour will see much-loved local band Sweet Buzz travel across four townships, filling halls with songs, dancing and laughter, supported by the local hall committees. This series is proudly funded by the Grit and Resilience Program, with events at the Myrrhee Hall on Friday, 5 September, Tarrawingee Hall on Friday, 10 October, Moyhu Soldiers Memorial Hall on Saturday, 25 October, and Everton Hall on Friday, 28 November, with more information at www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au/Community/Grit-Resilience/Whats-On *
