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The USQ Keyboard Ticklers will return to the USQ Arts Theatre stage this weekend to present another thrilling piano recital. Made up principally of the students of the University’s Piano Studio, the ensemble has enjoyed great popularity since its inception in 2010.The concert will showcase the vast musical talent in the University’s music program featuring the School of Creative Arts’ current piano students together with an exciting array of Alumni musicians.In what can only be described as a tour-de-force of music-making, their 2012 concert will combine the sounds of two grand and four upright pianos, choir, percussion and organ. The concert will showcase the vast musical talent in the University’s music program featuring the School of Creative Arts’ current piano students together with an exciting array of Alumni musicians performing an all-Russian program.

Putting together such a mammoth production has taken months of reworking of scores and rehearsals under the direction of USQ Senior Lecturer in Music, Dr Phillip Gearing and Associate Music Director, Morgan Chalmers. Currently completing the final year of his Bachelor of Creative Arts (Music) degree, Morgan is also a talented composer, arranger and conductor who has been the Associate Music Director of the Keyboard Ticklers since 2010.

Putting together the arrangements for this year’s concert has been particularly exciting and challenging for the young musician. In the past, our programs have all had a particular central idea – in 2010 it was creating a homogenous ‘big-piano’ sound and in 2011 it was simulating an orchestra on pianos,” said Morgan. This year I could categorise the program with one word – colour.”

Russian music provides a rich source of colourful music both musically and instrumentally and provides examples of some of the most masterfully orchestrated compositions of the 19th and 20th centuries.” he said.

The program celebrates the depth, drama and distinctive emotional colour of Russian music,” said Musical Director, Dr Phillip Gearing. We have selected an excellent overview of Russian music including works by Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Mussorgsky and Stravinsky.”

The Piano Spectacular will be presented at 7.30pm on Saturday 2 June and 2pm on Sunday 3 June in the USQ Arts Theatre. Tickets are $27 adult, $21.50 concession, $16.50 student, $8.50 child and can be purchased through the USQ Artsworx Box Office on 07 4631 1111.

Submitted by:
Michelle Fox
Marketing Manager
USQ ArtsworX
University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba
Ph 07 4631 1114

Organ donation is a gift of life to many people each year and during June Toowoomba residents are invited to celebrate with a special thanksgiving service.

The service will held on Friday 1st June at St Vincent’s Chapel from 6.30pm.

Toowoomba Health Service Organ Donor Co-ordinator, Ms Liz Hill said the ‘Gift of Life’ thanksgiving service is held to remember the wonderful gifts that donor patients and their families give to recipient patients and their families.

The ecumenical service features a musical tribute during which roses and candles are exchanged between donor families and recipients and their families as a symbol of thanksgiving.

It is very touching service and in past years participants have found it quite emotional. All community members who recognise the wonderful gift of organ donation are welcome to attend.” Ms Hill said after the service, supper will be served by St Vincent’s Hospital Chestnut Café.

This 15th service is hosted by Darling Downs Health Service District with assistance from St Vincent’s Hospital, Toowoomba Hospital Foundation and Donate Life Queensland.

Last year in Australia there were 337 organ donors. A total of 67 donors were from Queensland and 366 Queenslanders became tissue donors. Despite Australia having the lowest donor rate in the world, we have the highest success rate for transplants,” Ms Hill said. “All community members are encouraged to consider organ donation and discuss their wishes with their families. It is important for those people who wish to donate to register their intent on the Organ Donor Register.”

Submitted By:
Mark R Munro
Promotions & Fundraising Manager
Toowoomba Hospice
PO Box 6463
Toowoomba West Qld 4350
Ph: 07 46598500
Fax: 07 46598511
www.toowoombahospice.org.au

Excitement is building at Hampton as the high country village counts down to its 10th anniversary Hampton Food and Arts Festival. Organisers are putting the finishing touches on the May 20 event, which is expected to attract more than 4,000 visitors keen to enjoy the food, wine, music, art and unique country atmosphere under the eucalypts in Chapman Park.

Organising committee chairperson Kerri Seccombe said that there will be plenty on offer to satisfy visitors on Festival day.

Foodies are well catered for this year. Our guest chefs Dominique Rizzo and Dan Boller will be running cooking demos all day, and our enhanced Festival Market Place will be offering a huge range of locally grown produce. Plus visitors have more than 50 winery, restaurant and market stalls to choose from, with everything from chardonnay to chevon tempting people’s palates.”

Ms Seccombe said one of the highlights of this year’s event will be internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter-guitarist Jeff Lang, who is headlining an exciting music program.

Rolling Stone magazine described Jeff as Australia’s best roots-music artisan, so we’re really proud to be able to bring a musician of such quality to Hampton,” said Ms Seccombe. He’ll be well supported by a line-up of Queensland based performers including Danny Widdicombe, Innes Campbell, and Dana Hassall.”

Arts enthusiasts haven’t been forgotten at this year’s Hampton Festival. According to Ms Seccombe, the Hampton Art Exhibition that runs in conjunction with the Festival has received a record number of entries.

Painting, drawing, sculpture and photography will be on show, and our four Artists In Residence will keep the crowds enthralled with their amazing skills. Plus there’s still a few places available in our Saturday workshops, which will explore a range of botanical themes. Bookings can be made by visiting our website.”

The Hampton Food and Arts Festival, made possible with the support of Heritage Bank Community Branches and Toowoomba Regional Council, opens at 9.30am on Sunday May 20, in Chapman Park, adjacent to the New England Highway. Entry is $10 (under 12’s free) and a free bus service will run from Toowoomba and Highfields courtesy of Bus Queensland Toowoomba. Check times and details at the website, www.hamptonfestival.com

Each year The Salvation Army extends care to more than one million Australians facing crisis. The Salvation Army, who many of us know affectionately as the Salvos, is dedicated to meeting the needs of the most marginalised and disadvantaged members of our community.

In the last financial year, The Salvation Army spent more than $500million on delivering services and programs to people in need – this includes shelter for the homeless, refuge for victims of abuse and relief to communities affected by natural disasters.

The Red Shield Appeal will run from 16th April –20th May with the Door Knock on 19‐20th May, 2012.

The Red Shield Appeal is The Salvation Army’s key fundraising activity which generates vital income to support its ongoing work. The Salvos offer people the chance to change their lives every day.

Can you please consider assisting us during this year’s Red Shield Appeal? Please give when the collector calls, or phone 13 SALVOS (13 72 58) or visit www.SalvationArmy.org.au for secure online donations.

Thank you in advance for your very generous support.

How would you like to put some fun and excitement into your Saturday afternoon?

You would? Well, this Saturday afternoon 19th May, soon after 1:30pm you’ll have that chance, because boys from the Rangeville Community Church’s Space Pilots’ Club will be launching their model rockets – some dozens of them – at the T.A.R.M.A.C field (just 10km south of Toowoomba on the New England Highway), and you could come and join in the fun, the sights and sounds of rockets thundering up off the launch pads in clouds of smoke – all to the “ooooh’s” and “ahhhh’s” of all the spectators.
These beautifully crafted aerospace-models soar up to 1000 feet (and more), before ejecting their parachutes and floating back to earth. What a sight!

Yes …. and it’s all for free !

Where is this T.A.R.M.A.C. model-aircraft launching field? ….. well it is on the New England Highway, south of Toowoomba, through Hodgsonvale and on your right just past “The Mill” (‘The Outlook’). Look for the windsock.

Drive into the property and park. Bring a folding chair. There are both sunny and shady areas available. Sit back, relax and enjoy. Refreshments are available, and there are toilets there too.

T.A.R.M.A.C invite you to come along and enjoy the afternoon. Remember, the launch is scheduled from 1:30 onward at their field. See you there

Barry Whisson
Launch Controller