MUSIC in the Regions performers, celebrated guitarist Andrew Blanch and harpist Emily Granger, brought their Suite mágica performance to the Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club and the Bowraville Theatre recently.

Emily told News Of The Area about their time in the Nambucca Valley.

“Andrew and I spent the afternoon driving south from our accommodation at the CBD Motor Inn in Coffs Harbour to the beautiful seaside town of Nambucca Heads where we stayed at the colourful Cubana Resort…I will be back to stay here on a holiday.

“We were travelling here for the third concert stop on our tour for Music in the Regions.

“Our program, Suite mágica, combines our instruments of classical guitar and harp in a recital program full of beauty, versatility, and energy exploring music from Granados and Ravel and new works by Australian composers Elena Kats-Chernin and Ross Edwards.

“Our performance took place at the Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club, not the usual kind of venue for us classical musos.”

The event included a three-course dinner and matching wines paired with a classical music performance.

“Andrew and I performed two sets between courses for a warm, inviting, and very receptive audience,” Emily said.

“The room was filled and we even had some new friends surprise us by coming along all the way from La Hacienda 101 in Emerald Beach, the best Mexican this American has ever had in Australia.

“We were also treated to dinner and sampled some of the sticky wine and cheesecake after our performance – seriously high-quality food and exceptional service.

“Andrew and I stuck around after the concert for a couple of reasons – one being the fact that the driveway off the island was underwater because of the king tide, but also because we were able to chat with the patrons, sign CDs and answer lots of questions about our instruments and our lives in classical music.

“The audience was absolutely fabulous and we really hope an event like this can happen again soon.”

Andrew and Emily also performed ‘Suite mágica’ at the Bowraville Theatre on Sunday 15 May as part of ‘Wajaarrgu Darruyaygamgu – For Healing and Country’, a community event for bushfire affected people of the Nambucca Valley.

Commenting on being a part of the event, Emily said, “How special for Andrew and I to bring our music to be a part of this healing process.”

Music in the Regions has been seed funded by Create NSW to extend the reach of classical music into regional areas, and to create opportunities for musicians and audiences while developing new touring routes and activating interesting new venues.

By Andrea FERRARI