The lobby of the Rotorua Energy Events Centre played host to a rare musical treat last Sunday afternoon.
Students of music teacher Claire Cavanagh came together as a classical guitar orchestra performing seven works ranging in style from renaissance, through tango, traditional African and Metallica's Nothing Else Matters, to a modern "guitar percussion" piece featuring strips of paper threaded through the strings.
The 32 players, ranging widely in age upwards from 8 years old, performed arrangements involving at least four, and up to six parts. A solo performance was an added bonus and the perfect finale; a Bach Gavotte played by Chris Everest, recently returned home to Rotorua from guitar studies at Victoria University.
The experience for players and audience alike was memorable ... to say the least. There is more to come. You may catch some classical guitar orchestra "bombing" around town in the near future. And the next concert is planned as a lunchtime event on Friday 10 February at St Lukes Church.
ADRIENNE HALL
Rotorua
I note that the consent for the proposed Koutu Hotel has been declined. I wonder perchance if any of the objectors are the same people who are decrying the lack of employment opportunities in Rotorua.