Last Saturday night, the West Coast Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus delivered a film soundtrack concert of epic proportions – to a sold-out Perth Concert Hall!
Highlights:
- The sweet, delectable French-inspired sounds from the Chocolat Suite which sent the audience drooling for more…
- A stunning solo by Concertmaster Jason Chong in Schindler’s List brought a tear to everyone’s eye
- An epic musical adventure through the skies in music from How to Train Your Dragon
- An impeccable, eery choral opening to The Lord of the Rings Suite (shivers all ’round)
- Thunderous applause & a standing ovation for an epic finish – The Lion King featuring some of the finest vocal solos from our very own West Coast Philharmonic Chorus singers.
- Bass Justin Stedman‘s animated performance in Be Prepared left everyone’s jaws on the ground!
- An off-the-chart record raffle ticket sale raising much needed funds for WACO!
The people of Perth were treated to a magical evening of music as the West Coast Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorus performed a stunning concert featuring works from some of the most beloved film soundtracks.
The evening began with a stirring overture from Beauty & The Beast, moving on to an exhilarating performance of John William’s Raider’s March from Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, met with thunderous applause from the audience.
A delectable Chocolat Suite by Rachel Portman left the audience feeling like they’d taken a romantic, if not all too brief, trip to the middle of France. The work featured some expert piano accordion playing by Music Director Samuel Parry and performers from the West Coast Philharmonic.
Concertmaster Jason Chong didn’t leave a dry eye to be seen in a packed Perth Concert Hall; his emotive and nuanced performance of John William’s classic violin solo from Schindler’s List prompted several minutes of well-deserved applause from an understandingly moved audience.
The West Coast Philharmonic Chorus roused everyone from their post-interval drinks with a dramatic opening of Carl Orff’s O Fortuna. A notable mention of the members of the WACO Flute Quartet, Gabriel McMahon, Verity Hagan, Chelsea Davis and Rachel Hicks who provided refreshing half-time entertainment).
It wasn’t until the eery elven opening of The Lord of the Rings Suite that the West Coast Phil Chorus captured the hearts and attention of the audience. Featuring professional-level control from the chorus and a rousing rendition of some of the film franchise’s favourite melodies, the musical trip to Middle Earth gave way to an emotional performance of When You Believe from The Prince of Egypt. It was met with a blur of adulation from an adoring audience, if not for the sheer energy from the chorus, then definitely for soloist Jessica Stricklan and special feature soloist, 10-year-old Emily Pilkington, who had both audience and chorus in rapture with her beautiful performance.
The finale, a medley of songs from The Lion King was definitely the showstopper of the concert. Featuring standout solos from chorus members Rhys Jones, Heidi Bollinger, Justin Stedman (his rendition of “Be Prepared” left the audience in rapture), Shanae Campbell and Clement Chan, the collection of favourite songs from one of Disney’s biggest hits was a sure hit with the fans. An extended standing ovation ensured all soloists and performers got their deserved recognition, to say the least of Samuel Parry, who took on a gargantuan task which paid off in wave after wave of shouts, cheers and a sea of happy smiles in the foyer afterward.
Whether you were a fan of the original films or not, it was impossible not to be moved by the emotion of this concert and shows how these ensembles work to truly change lives through music.
Photo Credit: Linda Dunjey Photography
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