Ready performer: Musical director of the annual celebration concert for The children’s Hospital at Westmead, Mal Hewitt. Picture: Gene Ramirez
Expect big and beautiful noise when the final annual concert in a 20-year series to support The Children’s Hospital at Westmead takes place on Sunday.
More than 800 voices from NSW primary, high school, and adult choirs will perform at Sydney’s Town Hall in a bid to raise $20,000 to help purchase 150 syringe pumps for the hospital.
The syringes cost $3500 each and are needed to deliver patients’ medication.
Musical director Mal Hewitt also conducts the TOPS orchestra which will accompany the choirs.
The former Merrylands High School teacher said the orchestra of voluntary performers would have just two rehearsals prior to the event.
Mr Hewitt put a cello in the hands of a former student at the school, Ann Ricketts, in 1967.
Now Ann Mercer, she will play in the cello section of TOPS on the evening as she does for many other fund-raising events
‘‘The orchestra is to enjoy playing great music and to raise funds for organisations that need it,’’ Mr Hewitt said.
‘‘They’re all very good players. A lot of professional musicians join in.
‘‘One of the unique features of this concert is that the youngest performer will be five, the oldest 85.’’
Toongabbie West Public School pupils are part of the combined primary school choir, which will sing African and Israeli folk songs, among others.
The secondary and adult performers will sing excerpts from West Side Story and Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana.
The concert is at Sydney Town Hall, on Sunday, October 21 at 7pm.
Tickets are available at the Town Hall door from 6pm and cost $35 for adults, $25 concession or $100 for a family of two adults and two children.