A little bit of something for every taste is coming the audience's way when Wollongong Town Hall hosts a fundraising concert featuring pianist Simon Tedeschi next Thursday, August 28.
Joined by rising local vocal talents Olive Cullen and Molly Stewart, the celebrated classical artist will lead a program containing a hymn making its world premiere, chamber music and a guitar ensemble among other goodies.
This year’s annual Music4Medicine concert will raise money for Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders), which provides medical aid and humanitarian relief, including for children facing malnutrition and displacement in places such as Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar, and Haiti.
Fundraising efforts such as the show are vital in the community, says concert MC Malika Reese, currently Wollongong's Citizen of the Year.
''We living in Wollongong are incredibly lucky. It is so important that we help others who do not share the same privilege and good fortune of safety, abundant food, clean water and fresh air that we have here,” Malika says.
“It has been my honour to teach children of Wollongong music for 20 years, including Olive’s siblings.
''Children are precious and innocent and all deserving of safety respect and nourishing! We are all connected. By supporting children we help make the world a better place All children are our children. We need to collectively protect all children from harm and to make sure that they all have the opportunity to thrive.''
Concertgoers will enjoy a performance from Les Cinq Filles chamber ensemble and pre-show performance in the Music Lounge by WollCon Guitar Ensemble and will be the first to hear A Children's Hymn by Ronan Apcar and Adam Stokeld.
Born and raised in Wollongong, Molly Stewart is a musical theatre student about to finish her bachelor of music at the Sydney Conservatorium. She has been performing in musicals since she was 10 years old and is excited to share the stage with rising opera singer Olive Cullen and Simon.
Molly says the concert will be run by people who really care about music and getting performers ''out there into the world, and sharing that with the community''.
“Simon Tedeschi is an incredible talent and it’s so amazing to work with him,'' she says.
“I think music is one of those universal things that everyone loves. There’s so many different styles and genres between cultures and different parts of the world. The community theatre scene in Wollongong is so strong and really passionate. I think musical theatre has a modern take on universal messages.
“There will be something for everyone at the concert. If you don’t like opera, there will still be musical theatre, and if you don’t like that, there’s classical music as well.”
A guest speaker from Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) Australia will speak on the work of the organisation providing urgent care to more than 70 countries worldwide.
Malika says music truly is the universal language.
''The power of music can be felt throughout our bodies and can transmute culture, religion, gender, class and age. When we listen to music together it unites us in an immediacy that nothing else can do,” she says.
“This fundraiser is also an incredibly pleasant one because we are listening to music and it's moving us while we are doing good for others. It is a win-win situation in which we are having a beneficial and positive experience while providing help for others in need.
“We have such a strong community from all walks of lives and all kinds of cultures and backgrounds. I think people from Wollongong share a pride of living here together and we realise how lucky we are. When Wollongong people come together to support a cause, they show up with presence and passion.”
Music4Medicine is presented on August 28 by Inspire Music, a registered not-for-profit helping to amplify the voices of emerging musicians. Tickets to Music4Medicine are $40 (adult) and $22 for children under 13 and students, $30 for seniors. Book via Merrigong's website.
Email Felicity Woodhill at inspiremusicasut@gmail.com or call 0408 422427 for more information or to book 10 tickets, gift a seat or request printed materials to share.