Resurrection Symphony To Launch Braille Week

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WELLINGTON YOUTH ORCHESTRA TO LAUNCH BRAILLE WEEK WITH RESURRECTION SYMPHONY

The Lions Clubs of Wellington and the New Zealand Post Wellington Youth Orchestra will launch Braille Week in dramatic style on Sunday 17 October with a rare performance of Mahler's Resurrection Symphony.

The concert will be performed in the Wellington Town Hall and is in aid of the Blind Foundation, which is about to hold its annual Braille Week appeal (26 October - 1 November).

For Wellington Youth Orchestra, who will be supported by the Orpheus, Phoenix and Wellington Youth Choirs, it will be its largest ever concert, and one of the largest Mahler concerts ever to be performed in New Zealand, involving around 350 performers! The concert is also a celebration of the orchestra's 40th birthday.

The music direction is in the hands of Marc Taddei, and two of New Zealand's finest singers will contribute as soloists - Jenny Wollerman and Melissa Crennan.

"This work has not been performed in Wellington since 1975. It is a rare opportunity to attend a concert with such a large number of performers," says the Chairperson of the New Zealand Post Wellington Youth Orchestra Wim Oosterhoff.

"Very special in this occasion is the fact that many ex-players - most of them now professional musicians in New Zealand's main orchestras - will join forces. They will boost the number of instrumentalists to 150, including 15 horn players and eight percussionists. Critics have repeatedly lauded the orchestra's quality, so the audience can be assured they will experience a wonderful few hours," says Mr Oosterhoff.

An hour prior to the 7.30pm concert, wine and cheese will be served to A-reserve ticketholders.

Guests of honour and speakers just prior to the concert will be Blind Foundation Chief Executive Jane Holden and seven-year-old Blind Foundation member and music lover Dylan Williams, who as the `face' of Braille Week in 1997 was featured on the Holmes show in a jam session with his favourite musician Neil Finn!

"It's great to be launching Braille Week in Wellington with such a celebratory concert, and we hope Wellingtonians will come out in force to enjoy this unique performance, and in doing so, support blind and sight-impaired New Zealanders," says Blind Foundation Chief Executive Jane Holden.

A-Reserve tickets for the 7.30 concert cost $45 (includes Wine and Cheese), B-Reserve ($25) and Students ($12). For bookings and further information, fax 0-4-565-1601 or email nzpwyoactrix.gen.nz

The Blind Foundation has over 12,500 members, 3391 of which are in its Wellington region. The range of services the Blind Foundation is currently able to provide to blind and sight-impaired New Zealanders costs $21.5 million. Of that $10 million comes from donations. The remaining $11.5 million comes from government and other sources. The Blind Foundation is hoping to raise $1.2 million from Braille Week.

ENDS

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