Triple treat for Midday Concert

Taupō Strings is one of three local groups performing at the August Midday Concert.

Three local groups fill the bill at the August midday concert – Keynotes Choir, Taupō Youth Strings and Taupō Strings.

Keynotes, run through the Taupō School of Music and led by choir director Kaylene Carson and accompanist Jo Paull, has been running for over 20 years, accommodating 5–13-year-olds from various local schools as well as home schooled children.

Their bracket of five partner songs (two-part songs), including a Congolese folk song with actions, would be the first ever public performance for over half the choir, Carson says.

The children have been working hard to learn their parts, she says, and are very excited to be performing to an audience. 

The other youth offering – Taupō Youth Strings Orchestra consists of 12 young players on violin and cello. The orchestra was re-formed at the start of this year, after a six-year hiatus, and strives to give up-and-coming strings musicians a fun platform to perform together.

The group has previously performed at an introductory mini-concert and a Youth Strings Colab earlier this year.

Members were looking forward to playing at the lunchtime concert, says conductor Richard Paull and would play a small but wide-ranging set of songs from classical pieces like March and Canon (Pachelbel), to more contemporary tunes like Paint it Black (Rolling Stones).

Adult group Taupō Strings will present a select few of the group’s favourite recent pieces which range in genre.

With players of varying abilities on violin, viola and cello, the group has been practising together since 2021 and share a passion for playing and appreciating music.

The hour-long concert starts at noon on Friday, August 8 at St Andrew’s Anglican Church on Tītīraupenga Street, $5 cash only entry.