'MAGICAL, ethereal, enchanting, powerful, inspirational, unique', those are just some of the words I could use to describe the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra as a collective, but more importantly, the amazing people, individually.
There’s an unlikely couple who fell in love between scores, even laughing, ‘Wind and strings don’t often talk to one another. But somehow, here we are and we got married 20 years ago.’ There’s a man in his mid-eighties that has played within the orchestra for the past 46 years. He says, ‘It keeps you young…that's what I think.’ One of the youngest at 15, plays one of the largest instruments; the double bass. Even her feet don’t touch the floor as they dangle from her seat. An occupational therapist by day and French horn player every other moment is thankful for the ‘camaraderie and the people you meet.’
A young father of two, has reignited his love for the violin, and laughs that ‘It's a joke in the house now that I actually ask my kids for advice on how to play certain sections.’ A percussionist hums hot cross buns when recalling her first instrument the recorder, back in a 70s classroom. Today she sits amongst timpani kettledrums and an array of drum mallets. A trombonist nestles himself in his chair, his mullet in view from my seat on the stage. The conductor commands the attention of his orchestra, as he makes noises from the score, ‘pa, pa, pa, pa!’, his hands in constant motion.
It is an orchestra of everyday people that just happen to share their creative expression through crescendos and clefs and the grandeur of classical music. They are the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra. On Sunday 11 December, 3:00pm, the KPO will perform at opulent Chatswood Concourse, with Roger Woodward AC OBE, celebrating their 50th Anniversary.
I know that I will be sitting amongst the rich, red seats of the concert hall, my eyes spellbound by what is in my view, goosebumps down my arms from the music, and a smile from ear to ear.
For more information - www.kpo.org.au
