Kiandra Howarth - Soprano

   Lloyd van't Hoff - Clarinet

Alex Ranieri - Piano

This performance will celebrate the 150th anniversary of Queensland, hence the title “Life is Great”….. (in the Sunshine State).  So it features some nostalgic Queensland connected numbers such as “Swagman’s Promenade” – (a collection of well known Australian folksongs), and a Ron Hamner compilation - “Thanks for the Memories”.
There will be lots of other material, including some dances from Tchaikovsky’s  “Nutcracker” – (which, like Queensland, first saw the light in 1859), and some more recent contributions – including a Beatles selection.
The guest artist list focuses on three gifted young performers, Kiandra Howarth (soprano), Lloyd van’t Hoff (clarinet) and Alex Ranieri (piano).
Kiandra was quarterfinalist in the prestigious McDonald’s Operatic Aria competition in 2006 at the tender age of 16 and has since won the Alton Budd Memorial award and achieved third place in the 2008 SE Qld Aria and Concert competition. Last year she recorded with Queensland Opera for the ABC. Kiandra will sing three pieces.
Lloyd has been playing clarinet since he was 12, and is currently in his second year of study at the Queensland Conservatorium, where in 2008 he was awarded for academic excellence.  Lloyd has won a number of prizes in both the solo and chamber music sections of the annual Queensland Clarinet and Saxophone competition.  He has played both as a soloist and in ensemble throughout Queensland and is currently principal bass clarinet with the Queensland Youth Symphony.  He will play  Debussey’s “Fantasie for Clarinet and Orchestra.”
Alex is just 16 years old.  He is studying both piano performance and composition under gifted tutors at the “Con”, and this prodigy has already performed internationally in Taiwan, California and Germany, as well as in numerous Australian appearances.  Late last year Alex was marked at 90% in his London Trinity College exam, earning him a Distinction and the “Top of the State” award.  He has recorded a CD “When Poets Dreamed” and is currently compiling a recording of his own compositions.
Alex will be performing a condensed version of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”.
The usual arrangements will apply, including the legendary afternoon tea on the lawn.
Mt Mee Sunday Concerts begin 14th June 2009.
The concert will begin at 2.00 pm sharp, and people are requested to be seated early.
Admission is $20.00 inclusive, $15.00 for pensioners, and with generous concessions for families.
This is a non-profit community event organised by the committee of the Mt Mee Public Hall.  
Booking is essential.
Phone Kay (5498 2104) or Joyce (5498 2270)