Hamish Jellyman wrote two songs and arranged two more for Sound Canvas 2021. Photo / Lewis Gardner
The third instalment of Brass Whanganui's Sound Canvas production will take place at the end of March, with the group showcasing almost an hour and a half of music, visual art, movement and theatre.
Due to Covid-19 the group hasn't performed Sound Canvas since October.
Despite the short turnaround, HamishJellyman, part of the creative team behind the latest show, said the new edition would feature completely different music and art.
"It's not far off the same amount of music we (Brass Whanganui) would normally do in a two-hour show, but the difference with this is there's no compere-ing like we'd do in standard concerts," Jellyman said.
"We're going bigger with the lighting this time around, and I think we're finding a better way to incorporate the poetry as well."
"We have a strong percussion section, for example, and this time around it will include Michael Franklin-Browne (Pluto, HLAH)."
The new edition of Sound Canvas was both an evolution and a continuation of previous year's concerts, Jellyman said, with some new surprises thrown in.
"Essentially it's the same kind of show with the same bits and bobs, but we're trying to keep it as interesting as possible.
"There are obviously certain limitations with the space and the ensemble, but we're trying to create more of an atmosphere than just playing music."
Jellyman said Sound Canvas required a lot more organisation than standard Brass Whanganui concerts.
"That's from the lighting, to the sound, to the way the programme runs.
"I think we're a pretty forward-thinking ensemble when it comes to traditional brass bands in New Zealand.
"We get a bit bored just doing the same old concerts each time, so really, for us, it (Sound Canvas) is about having as much fun as we can.