A symphony of kids and kookaburras

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Children and orchestras don’t usually go hand-in-hand, but Strathfield’s Symphony Orchestra is breaking the mould in June. Multi-award winning Australian pianist Bernard Walz will make his conducting debut as special guest conductor for the concert on June 27 and guarantees a great show for young and old.

“It’s a family concert, but that doesn’t mean regular concert goers won’t enjoy the material," said Walz. "It will be a very satisfying experience, and for those that don’t normally go to the orchestra, it is very non-threatening.”

The concert will feature the wonderful works of Australian composers Sean O’Boyle and Peter Winkler, with Rossini’s William Tell Overture and Mozart’s dad thrown in for good measure.

“The first piece is delightfully wacky," Walz says. "It’s a hoe-down, country-sounding piece during which every member of the orchestra will play the kazoo. It’s really fun. You get a mild-mannered string player playing the kazoo. It’s a hoot. A very lively piece.”

The second piece will employ children as part of the orchestra, playing ‘toy’ instruments, such as bird whistles and a toy trumpet. “This piece [by Leopold Mozart] was quite a novelty in its day, to have unusual and fun extra instruments in the piece. The music is fun and light.”

The 60-piece orchestra is made up of talented musicians of all ages. “The orchestra are wonderful. While they are a community orchestra, they are of a very high standard of a vast variety of ages.”

The piece de resistance will no doubt be The Kookaburra Who Stole the Moon, written by Peter Winkler specifically to introduce children to classical music. It's a magical piece that uses a narrator and a didgeridoo player to tell a story through music.

“In this piece, a kookaburra steals the moon from the sky and the other animals try and get it back," Walz said. "It explains why the birds always laugh just before sunset. There are emus and wombats and all. It’s the Australian Peter and the Wolf,” said Walz.

Mr Walz has recorded with Australian maestro Tommy Tycho. His next concert will be conducting the Pueblo Symphony Orchestra in Colorado, US, in February 2011.

Where: Strathfield Town Hall.

When: Sunday June 27, 11am and 3pm.

How much: Adults $25, Conc. $20, Students $15, Family $60.

Tickets available via www.mca-tix.com 

For more information, visit www.strathfieldsymphony.org.au