Celtic Mist

If you aren’t moved by more than 200 people on stage performing any kind of music, then you probably need a check-up. When those performers include the 58-piece Queensland Pops Orchestra, accompanied by the ethereal Celtic vocals and sublime Irish whistle of Sarah Calderwood, a honeyed tenor from Gregory Moore, super-spectral Uilleann Pipes by Kevin Higgins and pitch-perfect, out-of-this-world Pipes by Andrew Roach, you’ll feel energised and uplifted. The magic Celtic Mist should be available on Medicare. Throw in amazing award-winning young talent courtesy of the OzScot Australia Highland Dancers, Watkins Academy of Irish Dance, 100 voices from the local Voices of Birralee singing group, and a mini-military tattoo from the Brisbane Boys’ College Pipes and Drums and you’ll be tapping your toes for weeks!

There was something for everyone in the programme – classic older Scottish and Irish material such as ‘My Land’, ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘Danny Boy’ were given makeovers to sit comfortably alongside popular pieces including ‘The Voice’ by Brendan Graham and ‘Theme from Harry’s Game’ (made memorable by Clannad). Sarah Calderwood introduced some of her own work, including ‘Hand Full of Stars’ – which is sure to become a modern wedding favourite.

Standout moments were the sheer quality of vocals by Calderwood and Moore – two very confident performers who know how to engage and move a crowd – and ‘Seville Suite’ by Bill Whelan (of Riverdance fame) as performed by the ensemble, highlighting the beautiful Uilleann Pipes so beautifully played by Kevin Higgins.

Maestro Patrick Pickett’s programme of Celtic classics and new compositions underlines a continuing connection to European folk music. Coinciding with the Eurovision Song Contest the same weekend, it is another reminder of the world-class talent that Australia is producing, worthy of a larger world stage. The Rotary Club of Toowong are to be congratulated for doing their bit – they sponsor a regular music scholarship, and their 2018 award-winner, Angelina Lim, spent a year with the Pops Orchestra and performed on strings. The showcase of talented dancers and choral voices was refreshing, demonstrating just how much hard work young people and their teachers are dedicating to the arts in our communities.

The Welsh representation in this Celtic mix was a bit thin, but the lovely piece, ‘Men of Harlech’ gave the superb Birralee Blokes a chance to bring a tear to the eye. For me, the only thing missing was a true Celtic sing-a-long – I could tell that some in the audience were in good voice and raring to go! Maybe next time the Pops Orchestra will take a leaf from the BBC Proms’ book and really let the audience get involved!

Beth Keehn

Photography: Neil Reeves