Gold Coast to shine for Earth Hour at Concert for the Planet
In celebration of Earth Hour on Saturday March 24, HOTA, Home of the Arts presents an evening of discovery and symphonic experience – Concert for the Planet – a free musical event that will transform the parkland into a live music soundscape, with musicians from all over the world taking part via a worldwide live stream.
The Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra, extended to include over 100 local musicians, will perform Holst’s The Planets under the baton of conductor Lachlan Snow. Fittingly, the Gold Coast Philharmonic Orchestra is the first full orchestra to perform on the recently launched state-of-the-art $37.5 million outdoor stage.
This spectacular concert will be live-streamed globally and with the help of innovative technology, such as the Conductor-Cam, musicians and communities will be able to join in and play along during the performance.
Following the free Tim Minchin concert on March 17 which officially launches the HOTA Outdoor Program, the performance on March 24 is the second Concert for the Planet following the first in 2015 in Sydney.
“This is going to be a brilliant moment in musical time, with an extraordinary repertoire in Holst’s The Planets,” said HOTA CEO Criena Gehrke. “We’re inviting music lovers of all ages to bring a picnic to enjoy a truly memorable evening under the stars!”
On the evening of the event the HOTA precinct will be brought alive with music. Activity begins from 5 pm with sustainable and environmentally focused community and art stalls, visual art installations by Gold Coast favourites Clayton Blake and Guy Cooper, and performance and interactive art activities including dancing, drumming, children’s activities and more.
HOTA has partnered with the Global Orchestra Foundation in a commitment to make positive change for the future. In response to Earth Hour attendees are asked to bring reusable water bottles and make use of the free water stations around the venue, carpool or use public transport to get to the event and to use the recycling services available on-site or take rubbish home for appropriate disposal.
The performance will conclude at the start of Earth Hour 2018 in Queensland. The lights will be turned down, and guests are asked to bring a torch to assist in exiting the venue safely.
The Global Orchestra was founded in 2013 with the idea of combining technology and creativity - for the sake of the planet. During Earth Hour in March 28, 2015 the inaugural Concert for the Planet was performed by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, a mass participation, multi-location, first of its kind performance of Holst’s The Planets. Musicians and communities played their parts to mark their commitment to a sustainable future for Planet Earth.
Global Orchestra has created musical arrangements, instructional videos, lesson plans and information packs for participants to play their part on the big night. The Conductor-Cam guides players through the bar numbers and counts players in to ensure everyone follows the score. Players interested in taking part in the March 24 concert should register at globalorchestra.com/register
Concert for the Planet is the second in HOTA’s ground-breaking Outdoor Program which officially begins on March 17 with a full house at the free Tim Minchin event. The program is based on the spectacular new outdoor stage.
HOTA and Global Orchestra Foundation present Concert for the Planet 24 march – free
Outdoor activities start at 5pm, main concert starts at 7.30pm (AEST)
Visit www.HOTA.com.au for all information
HOTA Outdoor Program 2018:
Tim Minchin in concert, 17 March. Free (tickets required)
Concert for the Planet, 24 March. Free
Dancing on the green, 28 April (then monthly). Free
Classic flow live: yoga by the lake, 12 & 13 May. Free (registration required)
The spirit of Churaki, 26 May. Free
Laurie Anderson in residence, 18 – 24 June.
Queensland Symphony Orchestra – from Jaws to Jurassic Park: the music of John Williams, 16 June. Tickets adult $40 / child $20 + booking fee
Neil Finn with orchestra: Out Of Silence, 30 June. Tickets adult $59 / child $49 + booking fee.
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