Bourke students get a taste of classical music

Cellist Robert Manley will play in Bourke next week ate Bourke High School and Diggers on the Darling (details below Photo: SUPPLIED

Bourke High School students will get a taste of classical music when two musicians visit for a performance next week.

Music teacher Heath Phillips is the man behind the tour by pianist Thomas Williams and cellist Robert Manley.

“It started about three years ago when Robert and another musician were touring the Outback and got in touch with the high school and asked if we’d be interested in having them play here, and of course I said yes absolutely!” Heath said.

“So then each year, they’ve agreed to come out with Thomas now joining Robert for the tour.”

Robert Manley studied cello at the National Academy of Music and is completing a PhD at Queensland Uni. He has worked with various Symphony orchestras, the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, and Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra

Thomas Williams studied at the National Academy of Music. He has worked for cabaret, musical theatre and opera. Thomas was employed by the State Theatre in Braunschweig, Germany, learning German and working with renowned singers and conductors throughout Europe.

“It’s a more organised tour to Bourke now, so we do a school concert where the kids get to hear classical music which most of them have never heard before,” Heath said.

“They also make it more interesting by playing things like a bit of Guns N Roses on the cello, just to mix it up.

“Then for some of our really keen music students they do a workshop so they can work on more individualised skills like rhythm and music listening skills and that sort of thing.

“They’ve always done a community concert as well just to promote classical music and keep the arts going in Bourke and it’s always attracted a fairly good turn up.”

The school performance is on Tuesday morning (25th September) followed by workshops with the community concert in the Jandra Room at Diggers on the Darling at 6.30pm.

Tickets are available at the door. The event is sponsored by Diggers, the Bourke Arts Council and Bourke High School.