Sunday 26 October 2025 at 2.30pm
Halloween Haunting Harmonies
Halloween came early to Ōtaki Memorial Hall. Join KCO on Sunday 26 October at 2.30pm. Some of the audience dressed up as did most of the Orchestra including the conductor. The concert was enjoyed by all. Conducted by Donald Armstrong and featuring Yuka Eguchi and Damien Eckersley.
The program featured Mussorgsky – Night on Bare Mountain, Charles Gounod – Funeral March of a Marionette, Bernard Hermann – Psycho: “Prelude” and “Murder” , J.S. Bach – Toccata in D minor , Bottesini – Gran Duo Concertante, Saint-Saens – Danse Macabre, Op. 40, Monster Mash , Addams Family Theme, John Williams – Theme from Jaws, Richard Kram – Halloween Waltz, John Williams – Harry Potter: Hedwigs theme and Andrew Lloyd Webber – Phantom of the Opera excerpt
Sunday 26 October 2025 at 2.30pm
Halloween Haunting Harmonies
KCO’s second term concert on Saturday 16th August at 7.30pm, “BERKAHN TO BEETHOVEN” welcomes well-known pianist Diedre Irons playing Beethoven Piano Concerto No.4. She is joined by one of the orchestra’s regular conductors, Michael Vinten.
The programme opens with a work by Wellington composer Samuel Berkahn- “Overture for Orchestra”. Samuel, in his words, is a “musical polymath.” His interests and activities within the Wellington music community are quite eclectic. He plays many instruments, sings, conducts and composes. A Bachelor of Music graduate with First Class Honours from the NZ School of Music, Samuel has had a strong love for music from an early age stemming from his upbringing “in a very musical family.” As an organist, he is currently the Music Director and Choir Master for St Barnabas Church in Roseneath.
Samuel Berkahn
Piano soloist Diedre Irons needs little introduction to New Zealand audiences. Born in Winnipeg, she played the Schumann Piano Concerto with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra at age 12. She made her official debut with that orchestra at age eighteen. Diedre studied at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia with Rudolf Serkin and joined the faculty following her graduation. She taught there for the next seven years, as well as touring Canada and the United States as a soloist and chamber music player. In 1977 she moved to New Zealand where she has made numerous appearances with the major orchestras, toured many times under the auspices of Chamber Music NZ, appeared regularly on Radio and Television NZ and travelled globally, playing concerts in 25 countries through IDRIART, an international organization engaged in the production of intercultural festivals. Her awards include an MBE for services to music, an OMZM and a Doctorate of Music (honoris causa) from Manitoba’s Brandon University ‘in recognition of outstanding contributions in the world of music through superlative achievement as a talented, dedicated and passionate pianist’. KCO is most honoured to have Diedre as soloist. In collaboration with conductor Michael Vinten, this is a concert not to be missed.
Diedre Irons
Michael is a popular and regular KCO guest conductor. He has many musical talents including teaching, arranging and composing. His performing repertoire covers orchestral, choral, opera, music theatre and numerous collaborations with Maori performers. He has been the Wellington Chorus Master and Associate Conductor for the NZ Opera Company since 1991. Last month Michael was honoured by NZ Opera as the company’s first Chorusmaster Laureate. A well-deserved accolade and recognition of his dedication to opera and music in general. Michael and Diedre are looking forward to working together for this 16th August concert which has as its final work Beethoven’s Third Symphony, “Eroica.”
Michael Vinten