PORT Macquarie residents and musicians Christine Wells and Craig M. Wood were farewelled on Sunday afternoon 30 November, during the Macleay Proms in Kempsey.
Christine has been the conductor of the Macleay Choristers and is a member of the Hastings Choristers.
She is stepping down from her Kempsey role due to the travel involved.
“Christine has been arranging our music, finding all the pieces we sing, and teaching us for 17 years,” President of the Macleay Choristers Jan Stubbs said.
“We are grateful for all that she has done for us, especially the past few years as she drove between Port Macquarie and Kempsey.”
Craig has been the conductor and musical director of the Hastings Choristers and the Macleay Music Ensemble.
“Sadly, this is the last concert of our esteemed Musical Director and Conductor,” said Roger Glugston, Vice President of the ensemble.
“We appreciate Craig’s commitment and dedication over the past three and a half years.”
Craig responded, “While it is time for me to move on [to Melbourne], I’d like to thank everyone.
“It has been a privilege to be part of this community, doing things that we love and sharing time, joy and music.”
“I concur with Craig, we just love what we do,” said Christine.
The Macleay Proms, held in the Anglican Church Hall, featured the 30-strong Macleay Music Ensemble playing Tchaikovsky’s 1812 overture, conducted and arranged by Craig.
Former General Manager of Kempsey Shire Council Craig Milburn, was the event’s emcee.
He welcomed the full house of over 200 people, many of whom had travelled from Port Macquarie.
The Macleay Choristers, accompanied by Ross Newton, were in fine voice with musical numbers including Eric Bogel’s “Shelter”, Carol Bayer Sager and David Foster’s “The Prayer and Lead Us Lord” and Marta Keen’s “Homeward Bound.”
There was a special treat in store with the premiere of “A Suite of Fiction”, composed and conducted by Craig.
All three groups then performed together, firstly with the cantata “O’ Fortuna” from “Carmina Burana.”
Two popular medleys followed, from Jeff Wayne’s “The War of the Worlds” and Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance”, which saw prom style toe-tapping, stamping and applause.
The finale was Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy”.
By Pauline CAIN
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