One hundred and twenty music students at Matthew Flinders Anglican College will experience a once-in-a-lifetime private workshop and concert performance with ARIA award-winning acapella band, The Idea of North, on July 18 in Buderim.
The Idea of North is regarded by jazz great James Morrison as “Australia’s best contemporary vocal quintet”.
During the school day on Wednesday, 18 July the four Flinders chorale groups across the Primary and Secondary Schools will each enjoy 45-minute specially designed workshop sessions with The Idea of North (TION).
The 122 students will then perform their newly polished repertoire alongside The Idea of North on stage at Flinders Performance Centre from 7pm.
Flinders Principal Stuart Meade said the students, who make up the Flinders Choir, College Chorale, Lumina Voices and Chamber Voices, were thrilled to experience the unique mentorship.
“Our music students at Flinders are focused and passionate young musicians so they are very excited to learn from such experienced, award-winning musicians in a private workshop setting,” Mr Meade said.
“The skills they learn and the sense of wonder they experience during these tailor-made workshops will undoubtedly deepen their passion for and interest in music,” he said.
“We thank The Idea of North for sharing their expertise with our students to help expand their music knowledge and potential.”
Once the Flinders choirs have performed with The Idea of North, they will take their place in the audience to witness a concert by this phenomenal vocal quartet as they bring to the Flinders Performance Centre a truly outstanding “...sight and sound experience of the highest calibre” (jazz icon, Don Burrows).
The Idea of North includes soprano Emma Rule, alto Naomi Crellin, Tenor Nick Begbie, bass Luke Thompson, and vocal percussion Kai Kitamura.
The group appreciates the value of strong mentors, as TION has performed often with James Morrison and both he and jazz legend Don Burrows are featured on a number of TION’s recordings.
TION have produced 13 albums: their seventh, a collaboration with James Morrison, won the 2010 ARIA award for ‘Best Jazz Album’; their eighth was nominated for the same award and also won the Limelight ‘Best Jazz Album’ award; and their tenth won the 2013 ARIA award, again for Best Jazz Album.
2014 saw the group honoured by an induction into the ACT Hall of Fame, and the release their eleventh album ‘Anthology’; a best-of collection from their 21-year history.
The public concert will take place in the Flinders Performance Centre and will commence at 7:00pm. Concert tickets are available at a cost of $28 adult or $25 concession.
REVIEWS ABOUT THE IDEA OF NORTH:
"A cappella is sometimes thought of as being minimalist, but when you can sing
and entertain like The Idea of North, a band would just get in the way…” - James Morrison
"Weaving pure magic with just four voices, by the encore you'll forget that's all they use!” - The Adelaide Review
"Strong, polished voices with a blend to envy - a welcome addition to the tradition of great vocal jazz." - Peter Eldridge, New York Voices
’Impeccable a cappella…they have class stamped over everything they do. Catch them and marvel.’ (The Adelaide Review)
“…measured and absorbing. Like ABBA dipped in velvet.” - Sydney Morning Herald
“This a cappella outfit can’t put a foot wrong…” Critic’s rating: 10/10” - Sun Herald, Sydney
“A vocal quartet of wit, charm and breath-taking musical virtuosity” -The Adelaide Advertiser
“The Idea of North swept in and stole every musical plaudit at this. year’s Fringe... Australia has not produced a more sophisticated entertaining vocal group than this young quartet.” - The Adelaide Review
“…an impeccable standard of musicianship…” - The Melbourne Age
“Smooth, sophisticated close-harmony arrangements… A pitch-perfect ensemble.”- The Courier-Mail, Brisbane
“In terms of quality of ensemble and elegance of arrangements, this group’s work is in the same league as that of The Swingle Singers in their heyday. On top of that, they incorporate a wry, deadpan Australian sense of humour that made their performance immensely entertaining.” - David M. Schwartz, Sydney Morning Herald
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