The Brisbane City Pops Orchestra (BCPO) will return this month with a fundraising concert celebrating music, community and members who have dedicated decades to the orchestra.
The orchestra, which has been performing for 53 years, will present Encore! Our Favourites at St Paschal’s Catholic Church on 23 August. Conducted by Neil Flotmann, the concert will raise funds for the church while showcasing audience favourites.
Among those performing is violinist Rita West, who this year celebrates 50 years with the orchestra. She joined the then St Lucia Orchestra in 1976, seeking a diversion following the death of her mother.
“It was a legacy to my mother’s love of music and a thank you to my family for giving me the best musical education possible, despite it not always being in their budget,” Rita said.
“When I joined the orchestra, I was one of just 16 members consisting of strings, wind and percussion; brass was added to the group in 1995 (when) membership numbers increased.”
During her time with the orchestra, Rita has served as events coordinator, president, vice president and artistic committee coordinator. She also initiated the orchestra’s 2014 name change.
“These responsibilities have been rewarding, but most of all, the friendship that developed over the years among our members was amazing,” she said. “I have always considered the BCPO to be my second family.”
Rita also thanked her late husband Des and her three children for allowing Monday night rehearsals to be “Mum’s night out” for the past 50 years.
“It does feel great to be the first ‘Golden Girl’ within the Brisbane City Pops Orchestra,” she said.
Music, Memories and Community
Among this month’s concert repertoire will be trumpeters playing The Buglers Holiday, Cavatina from The Deer Hunter, and a recitation of The Man From Snowy River. The program also includes Pastorale by the orchestra’s first musical director, conductor and arranger, Ronald Hammer.
Brisbane City Pops Orchestra president and events coordinator Meredith Cook said supporting local communities had always been central to the orchestra’s mission.
“After tragically losing everything in a house fire, we recently raised money for a friend of the orchestra who has performed with us on a number of occasions,” Meredith said.
The concert will also include a joint performance with the Our Lady of the Angels Primary School Choir, conducted by Debra Todhunter.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the children to experience the joy of listening to a live orchestra, and the orchestra members can enjoy hearing the musicians of the future,” Meredith said.
Tickets are $35 and include afternoon tea. Get your tickets here or contact the parish office on 3359 0239.
Brisbane City Pops Orchestra: Encore! Our Favourites
- Sunday, 23 August, 2pm-4pm
- St Paschal’s Catholic Church
- 30 Warraba Avenue, Wavell Heights
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