Festival People
Performers for 2007 will be listed here as they are confirmed...but here is a taste of things to come!If you would like to play a piano solo or be accompanied by the legendary Australian accompanist and general nice guy David Miller please contact to reserve a spot in this very popular Festival event.
Download Sunrise Concert running sheet here
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Don Burrows AO MBE
Legendary musician Don Burrows has been at the forefront of the jazz world for most of his 56 years in the buienss. He is a superb multi instrumentalist - flute, clarinet and all the saxophones. It is rare to have someone of Don Burrows caliber in this part of the world.
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The Vareckas
Michael and Vanessa Varecka are two exciting and versatile performers based in
At the Mungindi Music Festival they will present an inspiring tribute show to Johnny Cash and June Carter that reveals the ingenious song-writing skills and stage-craft of the legendary country artists. They will also feature with a dance bracket of music that will be certain to get toes-tapping.
Michael demonstrates his love of song-writing with 2 CD albums, currently available, featuring his compositions and a range of his favourite covers.
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Nucleus
This is one heavy band that isn't about moshpits and voilent head-banging mayhem - instead Nucleus will encapsulate your mind, transmitting many different ideas and experiences in the form of non-generic rock music. Their musical depth and space is achieved by the contradictory schism of melodic weight and hard-hitting riffage that is intended to enter the listener's conscious at both a literal and subliminal level.
After a year of performing at only the best of Sydney's clubs, pubs and theatres, including the Gaelic Club, Newtown RSL, the Metro and Annandale Hotel - Nucleus have consistently left crowds in a trace following the experience of the show.
After a slight period of downtime following the departure of former guitarist Brett Goodsall, Nucleus has been full steam ahead since aquiring new guitarist Dylan Mitrovich in September 2006. The band then spent the last months of the year in the studio working on thier highly anticipated debut EP, playing their first shows outside of Sydney in support of the new disc, hitting major centres in NSW such as Newcastle, Wollongong, and also Canberra.
For more information please see their website: www.nucleusmusic.com.au or www.myspace.com/nucleusband
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Kevin Hunt
Kevin Hunt is a popular and versatile jazz pianist. He has, over the last 16 years, shared the stage with international artists including: Herb Ellis, Billy Cobham, Sheila Jordon and Larry Adler. He has also recorded and performed with most of Sydney's prominent jazz artists.
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~kevsy
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Histoire du Tango
A modern blend of tango, jazz and classical music featuring two of
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Ryan Sampson
Country Music is hotting up for Toowoomba based Tamworth born artist Ryan Sampson.
15 thousand people felt the thrill of this rising young talent when Ryan appeared before a live audience at the Opening Concert of the Tamworth Country Music Festival at Bicentennial Park in January this year.
Recorded at Fat Track Studios in Tamworth in April his first single "Super Cool Croc" is co-written with Suzanne Wale.
Born to be an entertainer Rayn Sampson likes to have fun. He's 'a Larrikin' who can still bring a tear to many an eye with his emotive delivery of a ballad.
'I like to get the feel of a song and interpret it in a unique way. I love to play around with the arrangement of a song so that it suits me and my voice. It makes it unique' he explains.
Growing up in Tamworth NSW Ryan's childhood was filled with country music. Introduced to the music of local and international artists by his parents at the age of five he soon discovered the charisma and magic of many of his favourite artists.
Ryan understood early that entertainment is an art form full of perception, aura and natural ability. As a novice he refined that ability on the South East Queensland Festival circuit. Excelling in 2004 when he was named overall Junior Qld Champion of Champions and just one year later claimed the Senior Qld Champion of Champions and automatic entry into the 2006 Toyota Star Maker - the prestigious quest that helps launch many of today's leading country stars by giving them firm professional support through the early development of their careers.
It worked for Ryan. He made the Grand Finals reaping rewards as an emerging artist confident of producing the 'goods'.
His experience attending the 2002 and 2005 Tamworth Camerata Junior College of Country Music cemented his achivements in 2006.
A graduate and scholarship holder of last year's CMAA Collage of Australia Country Music he won the Overall Bundaberg Open House, appeared on Jim Haynes Bush Brekky Show at Tamworth's Hats Off Winter Festival in June and at major 2006 festivals throughout Australia - Gympie Muster, Charters Towers Music Festival, Urban Country Music Spectacular, South Australian Champion of Champions and the Ipswich Festival Country Music Showcase.
Performing in New Zealand and gaining his first international expsoure Ryan was named Male Vocalist of the Year accepting NZ's highest honour - the NZ Gold Guitar Award and an invitation to appear at their Bay of Island's CM Festival.
Country music is truely heating up for Ryan and he's out to prove that anything's possible.
RAS Entertainment
m: 0422 953 192
e: infor@ryansampson.com.au
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Sydney Youth Orchestra Philharmonic
The SYO Philharmonic is the training orchestra for the SYO (the state’s top youth orchestra), representing emerging young musicians aged between 14 and 20 years.
A full symphony orchestra, the SYO Philharmonic offers its players the opportunity to discover a broad range of repertoire from the classical, romantic and 20th century periods. In 2007 the SYO Philharmonic is conducted by Brian Buggy OAM, and the year will culminate in a stand alone concert at Riverside Theatres, Parramatta on Wednesday 5 December.
The SYO Philharmonic has also recently recorded the soundtrack for a short film, and the orchestra hosted workshops in 2006 for their colleagues from the second Queensland Youth Orchestra (QYO2). This culminated in a combined performance at the Conservatorium of Music, Sydney, and the exchange program will includes a reciprocal visit to Queensland in 2008.
However the highlight of the SYO Philharmonic’s year will be when they travel to Mungindi for the 2007 Music Festival in September!
photo by Dan Mitchell
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The Sydney U3A Choir
On the 2005 Countrylink Mungindi Festival Train from
Despite this blot on the good name of Mungindi we are allowing the U3A Choir back because not only do these ladies and gentlemen have an enthusiasm for music they also have a huge enthusiasm for living and fun. They sing with spirit and verve and live life to the full.
Mungindi is waiting with a very warm welcome for the return of the
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The Mungindi Choir Brigade
The Mungindi Choir Brigade were formed by Mungindi's local piano teacher Sue Price especially for the inaugural Mungindi Festival. Sue very cleverly selected a most fetching bright red top as the MCB official uniform and this was just the catalyst to entice all the singers of the Mungindi area to sign up.
Their part singing at the 05 Festival were extremely polished and impressed everyone and again the Mungindi Choir Brigade will combine for some items with the Chatswood U3A choir.
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Phil Garland
Phil Garland is a National New Zealand musical treausre
Phil Garland’s impressive music career spans fifty years of performing, field collecting, recording and composing.
Phil has released fifteen albums – twice winning “Folk Album of the Year” at the New Zealand Music Awards as well as being a runner up on three further occasions. During this time he has also won radio and music awards in Australia and Japan, gaining international respect as "New Zealand's foremost and finest heritage balladeer" and "A National Living Treasure." He has performed extensively around the world promoting the Kiwi musical heritage with a blended presentation of songs, ballads, stories and yarns that introduce audiences to the musical heart of New Zealand and its people. Phil's entertaining performance has prompted one American reviewer to say:- "his songs transport you to New Zealand so effectively, you may be inspired to take up residence there!"
Phil promotes himself as “A Singing Historian” and “Kiwiana Balladeer” and is constantly in demand, touring and performing for wine & food festivals, folk clubs and music festivals, themed museums and historical societies throughout New Zealand and Australia. His musical style transcends many boundaries, as is demonstrated by the increasing number of local and international artists now interpreting his work. The ‘Southland Times’ has dubbed him “A Country Music Legend” while a recent reviewer in the ‘Christchurch Press’ described his songs as “Crafted Colonial Storytelling.” After 50 years of performing, writing and recording, Phil was honoured with a “Lifetime Achievement Award” by the newly formed Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in Christchurch.
Further information about Phil’s career, biography, reviews and recordings can be viewed on his website at www.philgarland.co.nz
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Coonabarabran Orbital Swing Band
The Orbital Swing Band Bus is coming back to Mungindi.
Yes the famous bus that carries the Orbital Swing Band when they are on the road will be back with it's precious cargo again for the 2007 Mungindi Fesitval.
The Coonabarabran Orbital Swing Band were such a hit last time at the Festival so make sure you hear their special blend of swing and upbeat numbers and of course make sure you see the 50's Pioneer Clipper.
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Taurus
Although not performing professionally as a group at present – Sam is at Uni in Newcastle, Tony is very busy trying to keep the air traffic around Tamworth in some sort of order and Wilf continues to battle along on the farm through this tedious, ongoing drought – the three members of Taurus are looking forward to reforming especially for this year’s Mungindi Festival. Commencing with an appearance at the Friday night concert, Taurus will be bringing their popular, toe-tapping style to a venue near you at the Festival – keep an eye (and an ear) out for them over the weekend. -
David Miller AM
David Miller is a good sport and for this reason he has been invited back to this year's Festival. At the 05 Festival whenever we needed a piano player David was always happy to oblige whether it was standing up accompanying the U3A choir on an electronic organ or playing an electric keyboard in a wheat field
Needless to say Mr Piano will be up at the crack of dawn on September 30th to accompany anyone who wants to play or sing in the dawn concert "Let The Piano Play"
David when he is not in Mungindi having the time of his life is Chair of Enemble Studies at the illustrious Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He is regarded as one of Australia's leading accompanist and for this reason he was awarded an AM for his services to music in Australia.
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Loreto Normanhurst and St Leo's Catholic College Combined Band
Loreto Normanhurst and St Leo's Catholic College are two neighbouring Sydney Schools and they are combining their very fine Concert Bands into one Super Band to take over the vacated position of Star Concert Band of the Festival vacated by the Brisbane State High School. Band.
This magnificent combined band will be conducted by the brilliant young trumpeter and conductor Matt Dempsey who will also conduct the Mungindi Festival Band.
This will be a group that will change your minds forever about school bands.
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Clarinet Calypso
Clarinet Calypso took the 2005 Festival by storm with their fresh approach to music making, dazzling playing and their ability to whip up a musical storm at the drop of an Akubra.
Clarinet Calypso is made up of 25 of the finest Conseravtorium trained clarinet players in Australia. The music they play will enchant and entertain you. The fun and laughter Clarinet Calypso brough to the inaugural Mungindi Festival was simply a joy so If you want to be proud of the next generation of Australian musicians make sure you make it to the Mungindi Festival to hear Clarinet Calypso.
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Sax From The City
What do you do when you see forty saxophone players walking down the main street of Mungindi playing a lively funky tune?
You move into the shade, you say to your mate "this Mungindi Festival just gets better and better"
Sax From The City is the hottest group of saxophone players you could assemble outside of Harlem, they have more talent than Australian Idol and more power than a MAC truck. All the members of Sax From The City have trained at an Australian Conservatorium and their playing is sizzling.
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Bated Breath
Bated Breath rehearse for most of the daylight hours every Thursday so as to justify being the favourite instrumental ensemble in an around Mungindi.
Bated Breath grew from the original group "The Three Clarinetists of Mungindi" who played with such distinction with Don Burrows at the opening concert of the 2005 Festival. The original group became such local celebrities everyone in Mungindi wanted to learn an instrument so they too could perform at this years Festival.
Bated Breath have in their short time together redefined several longstanding Western main stream musical traditions such as starting together and finishing together, playing with a constant pulse or observing the restraints of traditional key signatures. If you feel that so many groups these days all sound the same then Bated Breath will renew your belief in individuality. If on the other hand you are wondering why Bated Breath got invited to play at this years Mungindi Festival and your group didn't .. well are you on the organising committee?
You will love Bated Breath because they are the spirit of Mungindi.
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Quadraphonic
The funkiest sax quartet in Australia is coming back to Mungindi -- they wouldn't miss it. If you didn't hear them last time then be ready to be impressed. -
Brian Buggy OAM
Brian Buggy is currently the guest conductor of the Sydney Youth Orchestra Philharmonic. He is a composer and conductor, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist. He conducted some of Australia's leading symphony orchestra in the ABC Concert Series for ten years. He has written film and television scores. He has published works for orchestras, chamber groups and choirs.
Brian has been commissioned to write "Mungindi Mosaic" for this years Festival which is a work for orchestra, narration and song which reflects the experiences of the people at Mungindi.
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Cafe Latte
Cafe Latte is an ad hoc group of very sophisticated adult musicians drawn from several states.
Some of these muscians state that they just like to be in Mungindi becaue it is the best Festival around whilst others state that it is one of the few places that they are alowed to play in public!
Cafe Latte played to rapturous audiences at the 2005 Mungindi Festival and the Arts Critic of the Mungindi Matters commented that there was an equal amount of enjoyment when they were playing as to when they stopped!
If you play a woodwind or string instrument and feel that you are old enough come and rehearse and perform with this fun loving group please contact their conductor Mark Walton.
Cafe Latte play with joy, enthusiasm and don't take themselves too seriously.
please contact Mark Walton mark.walton@optusnet.com.au
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Mark Walton OAM
Mark is once again the Music Director for this year's Festival. His extraordinary vision and energy made the Festival the success it was in 2005. Mark Walton is highly regarded as a leading clarinet and saxophone player and teacher in many parts of the world. He has recorded seven solo albums, written over 200 music books and recently written a highly entertaining musical for children called "BOBBY THE MUSICAL"
Mark has a passionate commitment to music in regional NSW and has had musical input into over 40 country towns in the last five years. He has directed Music Festivals in Young, Forbes, Coonabarabran, Tamworth, Dubbo, Kendall, Wagga Wagga, Mungindi, Canberra, Adelaide,Canberra and Sydney.
Mark is the former Chair of Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and is now the Musical Director at the Christchurch School of Music in New Zealand as well as Director of the Orana Arts Music Hub Programme supporting music making across NSW.
The Mungindi Music Festival is a subcommittee of the Mungindi Progress Association Incorporated Y2937447