The Rotary Club of Papakura, NZ held their 17th
annual Concert at Karaka on May 23 and 24. The Concert at Karaka was initially
organised to showcase local and youth talent and to give experience to young
emerging musicians. It has achieved this aim magnificently over the
years.
This year was no exception, with the star of the
show being inbound Rotary International Youth Exchange Student and violinist
Paula Busse from Witten, Germany who was accompanied by Jonathon Dunlop on the
piano. Paula had already demonstrated her talents by arranging a musical
evening at one of our member’s homes to raise funds to purchase an Emergency
Response Kit which was immensely successful. Paula began violin lessons when
she was eight and music has developed into a real passion for her. From the age
of twelve, she has participated in national young musicians’ competitions with
excellent results in both solo and chamber categories. Due to her outstanding
results, she was given grants for international master classes for string
instruments as well as for piano trios. Prior to her Rotary exchange Paula was
first violinist and principal Concert Master of a youth orchestra in Dortmund,
Germany. Truly Paula was the star of the show!
Joining Paula were baritone Benson Wilson who was
born in New Zealand of Samoan descent and had just completed his BMus (Hons);
Maia Vegar, soprano, who has recently completed four years at the University of
Auckland studying Classical Performance Voice; the Aorere College Front Row
junior boys choir; Juan Kim who has played the piano since the age of six and
who has recently completed a Batchelor of Music in Piano Performance; and our
annual favourite the Dalewool Auckland Brass Band conducted by Nigel Weeks who
have appeared at all of the 17 concerts.
The concert is held at the New Zealand Bloodstock
sales centre where the artists perform in the sales ring where a few days
before hand yearling horses traded for tens or hundreds of thousands of
dollars. New Zealand Bloodstock Ltd provide the venue each year at no
cost, but reap the reward of a thorough clean of the centre and a polish of the
brass railings which surround the sales ring. The acoustics in the centre
are magnificent with many of the professional artists who have performed over
the years declaring them to be the equal of or better than many concert halls
in which they have appeared.
This weekend is important to the club as a
fellowship opportunity and many stories are shared over the polishing rag while
shinning the brass rail or manoeuvring the vacuum cleaner or broom.
Partners of the members turn out in force to provide refreshments to the
audience at half time and the after show party. The Papakura Floral Art
Group fill the premises with floral arrangements and many of the patrons look
forward to seeing these every year.
