2016 Program for Musical Matinees

 Looking for a cultural Christmas Present. Give the gift of Music and support your local performers. Tickets available for all the shows shown on the brochure below at

www.stickytickets.com.au/musicalmatinees
or at the door on the day.

Concerts begin in April, 2016 and end with a Charismatic Christmas Concert in December 2016.

Anything You Can Do Last Saturday Night

What a talented trio and what a fantastic night.

A huge thank you to James Guan, Samuel Morgan-Grahame & Remy Moynes for their exquisite concert 'Anything you Can Do' at St Andrews Presbyterian Church on Saturday Night.
Such charismatic delivery of a cleverly selected program, superb singing and perfectly topped off with a virtuosic performance of Liszt's Ballade No. 11 by James Guan. Our own virtuoso Vincent Parmeter can't stop talking about the fantastic pianist - in his words "mindblowing".
We wish you all the best for your Sydney and Melbourne shows!!!



















Stay tuned for our fabulous 2016 programme

Anything You Can Do 7pm Saturday Night @ St Andrews Presbyterian Church, Crn Laman and Auckland Sts Newcastle. BE THERE

Anything You Can Do 7pm Saturday Night 

  7pm "Anything You Can Do" SATURDAY NIGHT 7.00 @ St Andrews Presbyterian Church, Crn Laman and Auckland Sts Newcastle. BE THERE

 James Guan (Australian Young Pianist of the Year 2012) joins Samuel Morgan-Grahame and Remy
Moynes, fresh from their performances in Shakespeare's masterpiece Titus Andronicus at the New
Wimbledon Theatre in London, for an evening of the best in classic musical theatre.

Having trained at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music before heading to London to study Musical Theatre at the prestigious Arts Educational Schools London and the Musical Theatre Academy, Samuel Morgan-Grahame brings classical training and a love of nostalgic movie-musicals to the evening. After his experience in both London's West End (Grim - Charing Cross, Island Song - St James, Tommy - Prince Edward) and Fringe (Taming of the Shrew, New Wimbledon - Scandinavian Heart, The Gatehouse) Samuel spent the summer of 2015 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, in two hit productions with Music Box Theatre - The Sound of Musicals, and Poppies - a new folk musical.

After her work in four critically-acclaimed Shakespeare plays in London's off-West End in 2014/15, Remy Moynes brings classical acting technique, as well as a long steeped background in musical theatre to the night, equally at home in golden age and modern musical theatre. Having performed everywhere from London's West End and Fringe to glittering solo cabarets on board top cruise ships, Remy adds a little class to the night, with poise and grace enough for three, and a voice as beautiful in soaring Soprano as it is in sultry Sally Bowles.

As primarily a classical piano soloist, James Guan carries with him a deep musical understanding and
sensibility. Having spent much of the last three years traveling Europe to compete in international
competitions as a soloist, James is taking a well earned break from the world of Rachmaninov and Chopin, and been coaxed with a little encouragement towards Hammerstein and Hart - before he returns to London to complete his MA at the Royal Academy of Music.
So have a glass of wine, roll your stockings down and join three top-class performers for an evening of the best in Broadway and West End classics - Anything You Can Do - George, Cole, Lenny and Steve.

The Glories of Love

The Glories of Love were serenaded by Sam and Vincent in their usual sensitive, musical  and professional style.
The Shows were a hit in Coffs Harbour, Dobell House, a private venue and Newcastle.

The audience enjoyed a complimentary supper prepared by cullinary artist Jan Spencer after the show. The food had an amorous theme and these heart shaped biscuits were delicious.

All our Art Songs shows are performed at private venues for people who like the more intimate atmosphere.

Don't miss the next show!

The Vocal Bliss Concert lived up to its name and entranced the audience with a well rehearsed and presented show.

Vocal Bliss Concert this Sunday

Musical Matinees Presents
Vocal Bliss

One Show ONLY

1pm at St Andrews Presbyterian Church Newcastle on Sunday, October 25th, 2015

Greetings Music Lovers,

After a fabulous weekend of blissful baritones, and sublime piano with Peter Guy and Chris Allan, we now present our Acapella Nova Choir.

Prepare to be wooed by the beauty of the human voice.

Acapella Nova basses, tenors, altos and sopranos will blend their voices together in an afternoon of subtle and not so subtle pieces which explore music history and different ages.

The program begins with Seventeenth Century Rounds and progresses through European Music, Middle Eastern, Australian, New Zealand and Island music. There are songs of love and loss and the travails of life.

If you love beautiful music, come along and be wooed, thrilled, moved and thoroughly entertained!!

Afternoon Tea in Newcastle is included in the ticket price and is prepared by culinary artist ( and fabulous alto),  Jan Spencer who will serenade your palate with dishes from the countries and time periods on show.

Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online at www.stickytickets.com.au/musicalmatinees or at the door on the day

Greetings Music Lovers,

Just for you, here is a preview of the Musical Chairs Concert program for this weekend.

See for yourself how fabulous it is

Songs of Travel - Ralph Vaughan Williams

1. The Vagabond
2. Let Beauty Awake
3. The Roadside Fire
4. Youth and Love
5. In Dreams
6. The Infinite Shining Heavens
7. Whither Must I Wander
8. Bright is the Ring of Words
9. I Have Trod the Upward and the Downward Slope

The Dolly Suite - Gabriel Fauré
Berceuse

Let Us Garlands Bring - Gerald Finzi

1. Come Away, Come Away Death
2. Who Is Silvia?
3. Fear No More The Heat Of The Sun
4. O Mistress Mine
5. It Was A Lover and His Lass

Silent Noon - Ralph Vaughan Williams

I Wont Send Roses (from 'Mack and Mabel') Jerry Herman
Anyone Can Whistle (from ‘Anyone Can Whistle’)  Stephen Sondheim

Greetings Music Lovers,

We have a treat for you this month. We have two fabulous shows for you.

Peter Guy and Chris Allen will delight you with their musical chairs – each of them has a stunning baritone voice and each is an accomplished accompanist.

There will be two shows – one at a private venue in Mayfield on Friday night at 7pm. The address will be provided on purchase of a ticket at Sticky Tickets or by ringing Kim Duffy on 0407437773. The other show is on Saturday, October 17^th at 2pm at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Newcastle.

Locally culinary artist and fabulous alto Jan Spencer, will prepare and serve the afternoon tea at the church.

For further details, contact Samantha Cobcroft on 49303474 or email musicalmatineesinc@gmail.com.

Tickets are available from https://www.stickytickets.com.au/musicalmatinees

Vocal Bliss reminder to follow

What's on?

http://musicalmatinees.blogspot.com.au/
https://www.facebook.com/musicalmatineesinc
https://www.facebook.com/ScotsKirkBaroqueBand

https://www.facebook.com/choirv

https://www.facebook.com/acappellanova

Monteverdi, Mozart Mendelssohn another fantastic concert

We had a wonderful weekend with Monteverdi, Mozart and Mendelssohn at the Singleton Uniting Church on Saturday and St Andrews Presbyterian Church, Newcastle on Sunday.
The artists and arrangements were fabulous as usual.

I Cantarini started the show in magnificent style. The Theorbo is an old instrument which is a  work of art and makes a rich sound. The Theobo accompanied the choristers in their beautiful renditions of Monteverdi's "Ecco Piegando" followed by "Sovra Tenere Herbette" and "A un giro sol".

Choir V followed on with three more of Monteverdi's beautiful songs "Ohime se tanto amato", "O Mirtillo" and "Lasciatemi morire".

Then I Cantarini and Choir V combined for a beautiful rendition of "Sfogvava con le stelle".

The audience was enthralled.

The Dawson Trio (who all lived in Dawson St, Newcastle at some stage) thrilled the audience with their performances of Mozart and Mendelssohn.

Then we had a delicious afternoon tea prepared by our cullinary artist Jan Spencer. She was ably assisted by her volunteers Reba, Jenny, and Joanna.

The audience returned to the church to be wooed by an afternoon of Mozart's love songs, performed by members of Choir V who performed as soloists, duets and as a choir. Vincent Parmeter accompanied them on the piano.

Choir V will be performing next month in the Vineyards so keep a lookout on their facebook page for the details www.facebook.com/ChoirV?fref=ts .

There are whispers afoot that the Vocal Bliss Concert which had to cancelled this month will be rescheduled for October, so stay tuned for details.

If you are looking for more fabulous music this weekend, follow the link  http://www.adamstown-arts.com.au/site/sunday-interlude presented by Adamstown Arts.

Monteverdi, Mozart & Mendelssohn

 

Join us for a romantic afternoon of lively and beautiful madrigals, inspiring chamber music and fabulous Mozart arias and ensembles.


Our concert starts with specialist early music ensemble I Cantarini. This group of Italian secular music specialists have been singing together for 20 years. They are accompanied by Bernie Williams on Theorbo. (A lovely ancient instrument a bit like a guitar.) They make a sweet and lovely sound which you will enjoy in 3 Italian madrigals. The texts will all be explained before they sing.

Choir V, a Newcastle based ensemble of professional singers will then thrill you with some more Monteverdi ensembles. This group sings completely unaccompanied and makes a warm and luscious sound with breathtakingly beautiful blending of voices.

Imagine these two groups together....well, that is what you will get!! All singers and Theorbo on stage for Sfogava con le Stelle, a dramatic madrigal by Monteverdi about a man struck down by love.

All singers will then take a rest whilst we present some inspiring chamber music by a Newcastle based professional piano trio. Michael Power (piano), Rachel Pogson (cello) and Marina Hopcroft (violin) will carry you away with their renditions of Mozart and Mendelssohn. This inspiring chamber music is the conclusion of the first half of our concert.

After interval (and lovely homemade supper included in your ticket price) the singers from Choir V will sing Mozart arias and ensembles accompanied by Newcastle treasure, Vincent Parmeter on piano. Music from The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni and La clemenza di Tito.

Tickets from www.stickytickets.com.au/musicalmatinees
 

VOCAL BLISS CONCERT RESCHEDULED.

Vocal Bliss Concert Rescheduled -25 October 2015, 1pm

Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, we have had to cancel both concerts this weekend.
It is very disappointing for all concerned but we would be missing too many key people and therefore could not give the quality of performance that the music deserves and which we have become accustomed to. We have now rescheduled the Vocal Bliss concert for 25 October 2015, 1pm at St Andrews Presbyterian Church, Newcastle. We hope our Acappella Nova fans can join us then.

We thank you for your continuing support and look forward to seeing you on July 25th and 26th for the Monteverdi, Mozart and Mendelssohn Concerts.

 

Upcoming Concert!!!

We're getting excited for our next Gala Concert in our 2015 series. Vocal Bliss will feature Acappella Nova performing completely unaccompanied vocal music.

Join us for an exploration into the human voice through music from across the globe.

SAVE THE DATE:
What: Vocal Bliss with Acappella Nova
When: July 4th (Singleton) and July 5th (Newcastle)
Where: Singleton Uniting Church and St Andrews Presbyterian Church, Newcastle
Time: 2pm
Cost: $35 including afternoon tea with the performers.

See you there!

Musical Matinees presents the Orava Quartet

Musical Matinees is so excited to present the Orava Quartet for Newcastle audiences this Saturday 30th May at 3pm at St Andrews Presbyterian Church.

Praised for their 'warmth of sound, sublime inner-voicing and spontaneity' this group is a MUST SEE quartet! Founded in 2007 the group recently completed a two year graduate quartet in residence at The University of Colorado, USA. Brisbane based, they are also the Quartet in Residence with the Camerata of St John's - Queensland's Chamber Orchestra. Orava recently won the Musica Viva Australia Tony Berg Award for outstanding Australian ensemble as well as the Peter Druce Audience Prize at the 2013 Asia Pacific Chamber Music Competition in Melbourne.

Thank you Newcastle, Singleton and Port Stephens

What a wonderful weekend of jazz!

Thank you to all of our lovely audiences who joined us for some truly stunning, hot jazz.

And a huge thank you to our phenomenal artists for lighting up the stage.

We can't wait for our next concerts in July.

Save the date:
Vocal Bliss with Acappella Nova
Singleton - Saturday July 4th @2pm
Newcastle - Sunday July 5th @2pm

Monteverdi, Mozart & Mendelssohn with Choir V and I Cantarini
Singleton - Saturday July 25th @2pm
Newcastle - Sunday July 26th @2pm

Tonight we take Singleton on a journey to 1920s Paris

Don't miss your only chance to see this stunning line up in the Hunter Valley.

Join Asha Lunarzewski, Anthea Harrington, Zoe Arthur, DJ Cotton, Vincent Parmeter, Andrew Wallace, Rob Coxon, Leigh Sherringham, John Kellaway and Jamie Pollock in their Parisian jazz club tonight only.

7pm at Singleton Uniting Church. Only $35/$25 concession including supper with the artists following the concert.

First Concert Tonight!

Look out Newcastle, A Night in Paris is coming to you tonight!

Join Asha Lunarzeski, Anthea Harrington, Zoe Arthur, DJ Cotton, Vincent Parmeter, Andrew Wallace, Rob Coxon, Jason Nelson, Jamie Pollock and John Kellaway as they take you on a journey to Paris. Presenting stunning jazz songs from the 1920s, 30s & 40s with music made famous by Hanka Ordonka, Ella Fitzgerald and The Andrews Sisters.

Don't miss this once in a lifetime line up at St Andrews Presbyterian Church tonight at 7pm. Tickets $35 at the door, including a themed supper created by local culinary artist, Jan Spencer.

Meet the star of the show!!!

Asha Lunarzewski

Born in Poland, and as a well recognised recording artist Asha toured extensively throughout Europe before moving to Australia to record her album with the award winning label Tommirock Records. Asha released her first single, charting well in Poland as well as taking third place in the national song competition. Since moving permanently to Australia Asha has headlined in many festivals throughout the country and has a great ability to connect with an audience through her songs. Asha performs in her adopted home town of Newcastle and throughout the Hunter region as well as regularly featuring at gigs in Sydney while also teaching music at St Pius X High School.

Meet our singers #2

Anthea Harrington - mezzo soprano

Anthea graduated with Honours from The University of Newcastle in 1998. Based in London from 2000 to 2011, she was a member of the pop/rock band Royal Treatment Plant, both recording and touring with the band until 2006. She spent six years as a teacher and regular performer at the prestigious Bush Hall in West London. After relocating to Newcastle in 2012, she joined forces with friend and mentor Smantha Cobcroft to form the vocal ensemble Choir V. Anthea also currently teaches singing at Newcastle Grammar School, Tyrrell Anglican College and from her home studio. Stage appearances include Amanzio (Guistino), Valetto (The Coronation of Poppaea), Madame Dubonnet (The Boyfriend), Marian (The Music Man) and Dame Durruthers (Yeoman of the Guard). She regularly appears as a soloist in the Hunter region as well as previously stage managing Eddie's Supper Club at the Polish Hall in Broadmeadow.

Meet our Singers #1

Zoe Arthur - Soprano

Zoe is a recent import to Newcastle's arts education scene. Most recently she has been performing with Choir V, Acappella Nova and vocal jazz trio while teaching at St Pius X and managing events for Renew Newcastle and publicity for Musical Matinees. Her passion for music education has led to research into the importance of universal musical opportunities and she is currently writing a schools version of Don Giovanni. A founding member of the vocal trio Scarletter Fever while at The University of Wollongong and a frequent musical theatre performer, Zoe's love of all things arts pervades every aspect of her life.

Meet our Musical Director

DJ Cotton - Musical Director, music arranger supreme, saxophone sophisticate and guitar guru!

DJ relocated to the Hunter Valley fresh from the Sydney music scene, where he started the record label Smart Records, which produced several Australian artists. DJ toured the UK with his band Three27 and was signed as a song writer with British publishing company Dinosaur Publishing. Nominated for four ABC music awards, one song he produces took out best R&B sone of the same year. DJ has supported many well-known artists including Vanessa Amorosi, and James Morrison. He is a multi-instrumentalist, playing saxophone, piano, guitar, bass and clarinet and has also played as a session musician on may albums. While playing many instruments, it is the sax he enjoys the most and he loves to share this passion with the audience.

Additional Concert - SAVE THE DATE - Orava Quartet

Musical Matinees is proud to announce another concert in their Art Song series!!!

The amazingly talented Orava Quartet are currently touring Australia and Musical Matinees is delighted to be presenting their Newcastle concert.

Save the Date: Saturday May 30th @3pm at St Andrews Presbyterian Church

Meet our MC

Nicholas Hamilton -Emerging Artist MC

Nicholas is a year 11 drama student at the Hunter School of performing Arts. Nicholas is an active part of the Newcastle theatre community and has worked with companies including Young People's Theatre, National Theatre Company, Pantseat Productions and Hunter Drama, for which he was nominated for a CONDA for his role in The Little Mermaid. He currently studies singing with Rachelle Schmidt at the Voice Studios and was most recently in the National Theatre Company's sold out production of Jesus Christ Super Star. Nicholas is currently starring in the Young People's Theatre production of Beauty and the Beast and next month will be performing as a backing vocalist in Starstruck.

Meet the band #7

Jamie Pollock - Violin aficionado

Jamie performs throughout the Newcastle/Hunter/Sydney regions with the String Trio Ensemble ARC. Jamie has studies at various institutions including the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria and Power River in British Columbia, Canada as well as private lessons with well-known teachers such as Carrie Dennis. In addition to orchestral playing, Jamie is the violinist with Hudson Arc, performing original songs by Gareth Hudson and touring around Australia, Germany and the Netherlands.

Meet the band #6

Andrew Wallace - (all about that) Double Bass

Wal is a local multi-instrumentalist and teacher. He currently teaches music at HSPA while maintaining his long standing professional music activities in the region. A sought after double-bassist, he has forged a reputation for creativity and originality as an accompanist and band leader. He regularly performs on the double bass with Fish Fry, The Terence Koo Trio  and The New Wobbly Boot,  on the trombone with Pow Wow and The Pornskas and on the alto saxophone and snare drum with The Liars. A regular dep for the Milestones on electric bass, he also has an upcoming tour with Si Cranstoun (UK) in June.

Meet the band #5

Vincent Parmeter - Pianist extraordinaire!

Vincent is a Newcastle-based pianist, piano teacher and accompanist.  He has performed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and  regularly plays piano with local groups Scots Kirk Baroque Band and Choir V. He was awarded the LMusA before undertaking studies at The University of Sydney under Neta Maughan as well as with a number of leading jazz pianists. Vincent was a finalist in the ABC Instrumental and Vocal Competition and was the featured accompanist in the inaugural Opera by the Ocean in Coffs Harbour in 2014.

Meet the band #4

Jason Nelson - Trombone

This amazing man will delight audiences in one of the amazing concerts next weekend! Jason has a Masters Degree in Interdisciplinary Arts and a passion for improvisation and performance. He has worked with all sorts of phenomenal musicians during his 16 years in Victoria and has been to Germany to workshop ideas with Karlheinz Stockhausen. Jason plays with a number of different band varying from  jazz to Afro fusion, swing and sexy jazz funk as well as composing groundbreaking electronic music.

Meet the band #3

John Kellaway - Trumpet

John began his music career at the tender age of 8 with Frank and Dora Simm in the Newcastle Police Boys Club Brass Band. He has toured Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden, Italy and the USA. John lectures in trumpet at the University of Newcastle and is also a senior brass examiner with the AMEB.

Meet the band #2

Rob Coxon 

Rob plays a whole lot of different styles such as rock, jazz, blues and musical theatre in venues such as cruise ships, nightclubs, pubs, festivals, concert halls and for television. 

He has worked with a wide variety of national and international acts including Tommy Tycho, Tony Barber, Daryl Sommers, Vanetta Fields, Dick Emery, James Morrison, Barry Crocker, Brian Cadd, John English, Colleen Hewitt, Normie Rowe, Simon Gallaher, Lucky Starr, The Platters, The Drifters, Johnny Young and the Young Talent Team, Chad Morgan, Smokey Dawson, Johnny Nihol, Gregg Arthur, 4 Trax (later known as Human Nature) and Ian Turpie!!

In his various groups he has supported acts such as Albert King, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Canned Heat, Little Charlie and the Night Cats, Lonnie Mack, Mick Taylor (ex Rolling Stones), INXS, Mondo Rock, Midnight Oil, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Mental as Anything, Swanee, Misex, The Swingers, John Paul Young, Russell Morris and Rita Coolidge. 

He has played at festivals including Jazz in the Vines, Jazz in the Pines; Norfolk Island, Wollongong Jazz Festival and the East Coast Blues Festival as well as at venues in Newcastle, Dubbo, Morpeth, Moonan Flat, Central Coast, Wollongong, Goulburn, Bimbadgen, Thredbo and Lord Howe Island.

Rob is also a teacher, visual artist and author; including the book Art from Uranus - fine art dumbed down for the general populationI and a number of articles published in international music magazine Modern Drummer.

Meet the band #1

Leigh Sherringham will toot his trombone at A Night in Paris over the May 15-17 weekend.

Have you booked your tickets yet?

www.stickytickets.com.au/musicalmatinees

Teaser for November

Our final concert in the 2015 season will be an intimate Art Song Recital with Samantha Cobroft and Vincent Parmeter. We had such a lovely time at their photo shoot last week and wanted to share a couple of photos of the gorgeous couple who will take you on a journey of love through the ages.

Sneak Peak #4

The Andrews Sisters first shot to prominence with their rendition of Bei Mir Bist Du Shon. And our gorgeous trio will be singing this fabulous song as a part of A Night in Paris.

Three shows only May 15th, 16th and 17th!

Have you bought your tickets yet?
www.stickytickets.com.au/musicalmatinees

Sneak Peak #3

Have you heard Asha Lunarzewski sing before?



This internationally renowned musician has most recently been seen performing in Newcastle, Adelaide and Sydney as well as in her home country of Poland.



Here she is performing her most famous song I'm Still Here (Ciagle Tutaj).

Posters and Banner up in Nelson Bay

Did you see us in the Port Stephens Examiner on Thursday? Well now you can see us all over town, including a stunning banner in the foyer at Wests Nelson Bay Diggers.

A Night in Paris now has a 7-piece jazz band confirmed including FOUR MEMBERS of The Swing Kings!

Secure your ticket now from www.stickytickets.com.au/musicalmatinees

Feature Trio!

Did you know that our next concert features a gorgeous trio performing songs made famous by The Andrews Sisters?

This trio have been seen around town for the last two years including in Charlestown and Broadmeadow.

They will also perform songs by Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and Gershwin!

Thank you music lovers!

What an amazing weekend of music!

Thanks to everyone who came along to our Pictures from the East concerts in Duns Creek and Newcastle. And thanks, of course, to our sensational musicians, Bradley and Joelene. Weren't they mesmerising. I know I had tears in my eyes during the final number before the interval.

Time to start thinking about our next concert A Night in Paris, just six weeks away! Get in early to secure your tickets online at www.stickytickets.com.au/musicalmatinees

Save the Date:
Newcastle - 15th May, 7pm
Singleton - 16th May, 7pm
Port Stephens - 17th May, 2pm

CONCERT TODAY!!

It's finally time to launch our 2015 concert series!

Today at 2pm join Bradley Gilchrist and Joelene Griffith for Pictures from the East at St Andrews Presbyterian Church, Newcastle.

Looking forward to seeing you all there.

Concert Reminder THIS SATURDAY!!

Don't forget the glorious soprano Joelene Griffith, just returned from starring as The Queen of the Night in Melbourne, and Bradley Gilchrist, Australia's TOP Lieder pianist are performing in Newcastle THIS SATURDAY!!

As seen in: The Follower, The Newcastle Herald, Newcastle Now, Culture Hunter, NBN What's On, Newcastle Live as heard on 2NUR and keep an ear out to ABC1233 this Thursday afternoon for some really good trivia answers and a bit of a promo!



What: Pictures from the East a romantic journey through music influenced by Spanish, Moorish, Eastern European and Jewish music.

When: Saturday 28th March

Time: 2pm

Where: St Andrews Presbyterian Church, Cnr Laman and Auckland Sts, Newcastle

Cost: $25 including delicious afternoon tea with the artists prepared by Jan Spencer (you know she can bake!!)

Not only are they amazingly talented,

these two are adorable... How can you not come to see them?

Our Fist Gala Concert Coming Soon

With just a few days until our first Art Song Recital with Joelene Griffith and Bradley Gilchrist, we would like to announce our first Gala Concert coming up in May.

More updates to come but here's a sneak peak at the poster...