Something for young and old in Young

(posted 07.06.10)

A Sunshine Coast family whose love of music was inspired by a local piano teacher will get the chance to say thanks when the three youngest family members pay a special visit to Young during their school’s annual music tour later this month.

Students from Matthew Flinders Anglican College will visit Young on June 22 to workshop with local musicians and present concerts at three different venues.

The Lawler family, of Coolum,  ran one of the local pharmacies in Young for 14 years from 1989 to 2003. Mark and Maree Lawler operated Lawler and Baz Chemist, and later Mark and Maree Lawler’s Fullife Pharmacy.

Three of the couple’s four children were born in Young, and they credit the “inspirational piano teacher” Marlene Jones for sparking their family’s love of music. Although Ms Jones has since moved from Young, she still comes back to conduct workshops.

“I still credit Marlene Jones with giving the children the gift and knowledge of music,” proud dad Mark Lawler said.

While teaching the Lawler children piano, Ms Jones encouraged them all to take up a second instrument. Now the Lawler household is filled with the sounds of many instruments.

Nathan, who plays flute and piano, graduated from Flinders in 2008, Hamish, who is in Year 12, plays trumpet and tenor horn, Maddie, in Year 10, plays flute, piano, piccolo and voice, and Bonnie, Year 7, fits in trumpet, saxophone, piano and voice.

Amazingly, all four Lawler children have been awarded music scholarships at Matthew Flinders Anglican College, which is renowned for its music program in Queensland.

It was during the Lawler children’s formative years in Young that the Regional School of Music was in its infancy. The school has since grown to around 800 students, and during the Flinders visit, a special public concert in conjunction with the Regional School of Music will be presented on the Tuesday night at the Young North Public School (Peter Dinnerville Hall). 

Mr Lawler said his children were so proud of the music program at Matthew Flinders Anglican College and had wanted to share this love of music with their old friends back in Young.

When older daughter Maddie heard the music tour was heading to Canberra in 2010, she did not hesitate in asking her Head of Music if the group could include Young in the tour itinerary.

Mr Lawler said Hamish, Maddie and Bonnie were all excited to be travelling to Young and had been emailing and facebooking old friends to ensure they attended the performances.  

Head of Music Nick Campbell said part of the philosophy of the Flinders’ annual music tours was to include regional venues in their performance and workshop program.

“The performances in Young acknowledge the diversity and unity of musicality that Flinders’ embraces.” Mr Campbell said.

The award-winning Flinders’ ensembles - the Wind Symphony, Stage Band, College Chorale and College String Orchestra – will perform three concerts at two venues: the Southern Cross Retirement Village (Catherine McCauley Hall) at 10.45am, and at the Young North Public School (Peter Dinnerville Hall) at 1.45pm and 7pm.

The students will present a diverse range of repertoire including the classics of Beethoven, traditional Celtic pieces, contemporary and popular music - as well as film scores and folk music at a series of concert events.

Matthew Flinders Anglican College ensembles have performed at prestigious locations such as Angel Place (Sydney Recital Hall), Sydney Opera House, St Andrew’s Cathedral (Sydney), St Mary’s Cathedral Melbourne) and the BMW Auditorium (Melbourne) as well as being acknowledged in results obtained in regional, state and national competitions and Eisteddfods.

The 2010 Music Tour to Canberra will include performances at the Great Hall at Parliament House and at Llewellyn Hall at the Australian National University . . . but first Young beckons.

For information contact Flinders Music Department on 5477 3258 or email musicsecretary@mfac.edu.au

For the Young at Heart
Southern Cross Retirement Village
Catherine McCauley Hall
10.45 - 11.45am
Open to all - admission gold coin donation (proceeds to the venue)

In the Heart of Young
Young North Public School
Peter Dinnerville Hall
1.45 - 2.45pm
Open to all - admission free

Public Concert
The Regional School of Music and
Matthew Flinders Anglican College ensembles
North Young Public School
Peter Dinnerville Hall
7.00pm
Open to all - admission free

Canberra Music Tour

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