Catchy Classics in Concert
Sunday 5th October, 2025
We are so pleased you can join us for this concert to raise funds to support Lifeline Ballarat in continuing its essential education, awareness and training programs in the community.
Lifeline Ballarat is one of more than 40 Lifeline centres across Australia and is part of a trusted national charity that has been saving lives and supporting Australians in need for more than 60 years. In addition to delivering support services through the national 13 11 14 help line, Lifeline Ballarat also supports the local community through education and training. Funds raised through this event will be used specifically to deliver, free of charge, safeTALK workshops to members of the local community.
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Please enjoy today's 'catchy classics'
Set 1
01
The Colin Fox Dance
Graham Powning
Composed in 2006, "The Colin Fox Dance" was written by Graham Powning for the then ABC Classic Breakfast presenter, Colin Fox. Graham was born in Sydney in 1949 and passed away in March 2020 in which time he wrote a significant number of works for instrumentations ranging from solos to symphonies. Himself a renown oboist, Graham often showed his wit and creativeness in the pieces that showcased the instruments he wrote for. This piece is no exception, and if you listen closely, you’ll catch a playful nod to Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto.
02
Stranger on the Shore
Aker Bilk, arr. D. Gaskill
A classic piece for clarinet, written by Acker Bilk for his daughter and originally named "Jenny" after her. The tune was written on a single scrap of paper by Bilk and handed over to arranger Leon Young, who crafted the string arrangement, including the characteristic harmonic shifts at the end of the piece. The recording was subsequently used as the theme tune of a BBC TV drama "Stranger on the Shore". It was first released in 1961, reaching number 1 on the US Billboard, number 2 on the UK charts and even ventured into space when the crew of Apollo 10 took "Stranger on the Shore" on their mission to the Moon.
03
Eliza Aria
Elena Kats-Chernin
"Eliza Aria" is an operatic vocalise from the ballet Wild Swans, written by Australian composer and pianist Elena Kats-Chernin. The first recording of the piece, featuring the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, was used in a series of TV and cinema advertisements for a British Bank and became the third most performed piece in UK television advertising. From 2011 it was used as the theme music for the ABC National Radio program Late Night Live, and was featured at the conclusion of the 2018 Commonwealth Games held on the Gold Coast, Queensland.
04
The Girl with the Flaxen Hair
Claude Debussy, arr. Les Sabina
Inspired by a poem of the same name, French composer Claude Debussy wrote "The Girl with the Flaxen Hair" in 1910 - one of twelve pieces in his first book of Préludes for solo piano. Unlike much of his more complex and impressionistic work, this piece stands out for its musical simplicity, a deviation from his usual style. Beginning with a simple single meandering melody, Debussy is still able to create emotional depth and a dreamlike atmosphere of innocence and gentle beauty. It's this emotional richness, hidden in subtle notes and lush harmonies, that continues to captivate listeners over a century later.
Set 2
05
Colors of the Wind
Alan Menken, arr. M. Waddington
Written by composer Alan Menken for the 1995 Disney film Pocahontas, "Colors of the Wind" is a pop ballad sung by the title character of the film. The track was inspired by Native American poetry, music and folklore and lyrically represents the Native American viewpoint that the earth is a living entity where humankind is connected to everything in nature. Menken has composed a number of pieces for Disney's animations, and has received numerous accolades - "Colors of the Wind" is no exception, gaining an Academy Award, Grammy Award and a Golden Globe.
06
Miserlou
Greek folk song, arr. Thomas Graf
The earliest known recording of "Miserlou" is a 1927 Greek composition. The piece gained popularity when guitarist Dick Dale was bet by a young fan that he could not play a song on only one string of his guitar. He met the challenge when he recalled traditional folk tune "Miserlou" that his uncle used to play on an instrument called an oud. With an increased tempo and Surf Rock influence, "Miserlou" beame one of Dales greatest hits. The popular piece has been used in video games and featured in the opening credits of the 1994 film Pulp Fiction.
07
The Lonely Goatherd
Rogers & Hammerstein, arr. R. Hays
A popular show tune from the 1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music, "The Lonely Goatherd" is well known for its examples of yodelling, a part of the traditional music of the Austrian Alps, where the musical is set. The piece was adapted in 1965 for the film version of the musical, famously sung by Julie Andrews during the whimsical marionette puppet scene, and has become a much loved classic in the musical world.
08
Song of the Wellerman
Traditional, arr. K. Agioritis
Originally published in New Zealand, "Song of the Wellerman" is a ballad dating back to the 1970s. The term "wellermen" refers to supply ships operated by the Weller brothers - three merchant traders who were among the first European settlers in New Zealand's Otago region during the 1800s. In early 2021, Scottish singer Nathan Evans released a cover of the song that went viral on TikTok, sparking a widespread social media craze centered around sea shanties and maritime music.
