Fundraiser for                               St Patrick's 

Concert Fundraiser for St Patrick’s Walcha Music Education

Local classical musicians are banding together to raise money for music education at St Patrick’s Primary School, Walcha. Soprano Sarah Adeney will be performing with Eliza Scott (violinist), and Sheila Guymer (piano) on Sunday, 28 February in the Old Teachers’ College Auditorium. The program features some popular favourites, including duos for violin and piano by Beethoven, Elgar, Bartók and Massenet; plus songs and arias by Mozart, JS Bach, and Fauré.

All three musicians are teachers with the New England Conservatorium of Music (NECOM). Last year, Eliza Scott completed a Masters in performance at the Royal College of Music, London. Sheila Guymer completed her PhD at Cambridge University. Sarah Adeney trained in classical voice at Queensland Conservatorium, and parishioners at Saints Mary and Joseph Catholic Cathedral in Armidale will have heard Sarah’s beautiful singing numerous times.

Giving children the opportunity to learn music is something NECOM music educator Nicole Mackson is passionate about. Students at St Patrick’s Primary currently have five music classes a term. While children in Years 3 -5 have a Band program, the school’s Principal, is keen to start a Choir program too.

“It can be really difficult for a small rural school to offer musical opportunities,” Nicole Mackson said, “because they have limited resources. That’s what inspired me to organise this concert.”

Hosted by NECOM, the concert also includes gifted young musicians who study at the Conservatorium: Will Mackson (piano), Abigail Thompson (cello), and Aiden Swick (violin). These young musicians demonstrate what students can achieve when they’re given the chance.

Audience members can also buy tickets for a raffle. The prize is an original painting by talented local artist Narmi Collins-Widders. The beautiful miniature features a waratah in an Aboriginal design, inspired by Narmi’s heritage. Tickets for the raffle are $2 for a single ticket, or three for $5.

Sunday Soirée

3PM, Sunday 28 February 2021

OTC Auditorium, cnr Mossman and Faulkner Streets, Armidale

Tickets: $10 (single) or $20 (family of 4), available through TryBookings or at the door