“HEROES OF HUMANITY” and “LEGENDS REMEMBERED” are two upcoming inspirational concerts presented by internationally acclaimed/ multi award winning pianist/ composer, Warren Wills, and the remarkable socially inclusive ensemble, YOUNG WORLD CHOIR in partnership with TONGJI MELBOURNE ALUMNI – a wonderful Shanghai group, based here in Melbourne.
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On Thursday March 7th, at 7pm at Armagh Ballroom, 236 Kooyong Rd, Toorak, the “HEROES OF HUMANITY” concert honours legendary First Nations Elder, William Cooper, hero of the Kindertransport, Sir Nicholas Winton, iconic Thai Heroine, Ya Mo, and the community of 1930s Shanghai that gave safe passage to thousands of European refugees, predominantly Jewish, fleeing Nazi persecution.
TONGJI will unveil excerpts from the forthcoming new bi-lateral musical, “ESCAPE TO SHANGHAI”, a genuine collaboration between Chinese/Australian creatives.
Israeli songbird, VERED HAREL will feature carrying much of the vocal weight.
A section of the concert will also remember the writing talent that was and is FRANK HOWSON. A much loved stalwart charismatic writer of film and stage, Frank parted earthly company on 10th February this year. Howson and Wills collaborated on GENESIS TO BROADWAY, ELVIS, CHOPPER, THIN LIFE, THE TATTOOIST AND THE NAZI, and musical gems and tributes will be presented at the performance by FEM BELLING, BOBBY BRIGHT, LUCY GALE and WITH ONE VOICE choir.
Recently, Frank and cousin, John Michael Howson co-wrote the hugely successful, DREAM LOVER, the BOBBY DARIN story, starring David Campbell.
On Thursday March 28, also at Armagh at 7pm, WARREN WILLS and the YWC (Young World Choir) in joyful collaboration with TONGJI MELBOURNE ALUMNI present “LEGENDS REMEMBERED”. This concert focuses on the music and works primarily of LEONARD BERNSTEIN, STEPHEN SONDHEIM, TOPOL and BURT BACHARACH. Arrangements from FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, WEST SIDE STORY, a litany of BURT BACHARACH’s immortal hit assembly line will be presented, featuring the glorious Israeli Chanteuse, VERED HAREL, Czech violinist, ROMY GEERMANS, extraordinary traditional Chinese flautist, STEPH CHEN, and the YWC.
The innovative TONGJI will perform further dance/vocal/ video excerpts of ESCAPE TO SHANGHAI, and more music and anecdotes from the Thai heroine musical, YA MO, and a welcome to BLIND SPORTS and RECREATION, unveiling excerpts from the true, unbelievable story of BLIND TOM WIGGINS.
Combined chapters of the remarkable WITH ONE VOICE choir will once again guest.
The concerts further continue the forging of new relationships with diverse communities from Kazakhstan and Baghdad last year, and West End to Riyadh that Wills has been involved with as performer and educationalist.
“Music transcends borders, politics and religion, and provides a safe environment where creativity and friendship can flourish”, Wills says.
“In a current climate of ever pervasive division, here is inclusivity, diversity and quality on glittering display.”
More information to info@youngworldchoir.com (mailto:info@youngworldchoir.com)
Tickets 40$ and 20$ concession.
Light supper included.
Tickets from https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1181213
for “HEROES of HUMANITY” March 7
and
https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1182266
for “LEGENDS REMEMBERED” March 28
