Castlemaine’s own Goldfields Jazz Orchestra is a testament to people power – and to the zest of the region’s homegrown music talent.
Inspired after catching some of the big sounds at last year’s Castlemaine Jazz Festival, Castlemaine Secondary College music coordinator Kirsten Boerema and instrumental teacher Michael Timcke thought – why can’t we do that?
“So we thought why don’t we apply for some funding? But that didn’t really work out and one day Kirsten just said why don’t we just do it?” Michael recounts.
The result of that decision is now about to make its debut performance when the 18-piece Goldfields Jazz Orchestra delivers a double set gig at Castlemaine’s Theatre Royal on Sunday night as part of the much-anticipated Castlemaine Jazz Festival.
Happening over four days this Queen’s Birthday long weekend, the festival will see international, national and local jazz talent and fans flood into Castlemaine from Friday through to Monday for a program featuring more than 80 artists spanning five jazz genres.
The new Goldfields Jazz Orchestra is made up of a large number of local music teachers – and other keen local musos who shared a common yearning for the unique buzz to be had from playing in this sort of large-scale outfit.
Solid sight reading skills is a must, and the repertoire spans 40s swing through to iconic 60s material.
“There’s some real stretch-out tunes for the band and some really straight ahead swing,” Michael says.
“We’ve got a few Latin tunes in there as well so some good stuff to dance to.”
The orchestra boasts two vocalists, a full flank of horns and woodwind complemented by a rhythm section comprising percussion and keyboard.
“Yeh it’s the full lineup – four trumpets, four trombones, five saxes. It’s a big sound,” Michael says.
“The main thing is we wanted to be quality. There’s excellent players. We feel really lucky to have attracted so many really strong players that live in the area and everyone is from between Ballarat and Bendigo which is exciting.”
Those aiming to catch the Goldfields Jazz Orchestra’s debut gig should prepare for a splash of big glamour to match the big sound, Kirsten says.
“We want to see people up dancing. Frocking up – and some glamour of yesteryear.”
