Central Queensland University - eJournalism

A Jazz Tour of Gladstone

The Gladstone leg of the Con Jazz, Don Rader tour was a tale of two days with the August 15 performances being in churches and the August 16 appearances being in educational institutions.

Ben Worthington gets the crowd singing

The Golden Years performance was held in the morning in the Baptist Church in Trinity College and all of the audience got involved.

The Sing-along was particularly enjoyed and Don Rader had competition as star of the show from first year CQCM vocal student and Mackay Young Citizen of the Year, Benjamin Worthington, who led the audience through many favourite songs that were considerably older than he is.

"They sang along well and clapped well," said Fay Owens Gladstone Campus Coordinator for the Golden Years programme.

"They responded to it all," she said.

Little Big Band winners: Gladstone State High School

In the evening the Little Big Band competition was held in the Gladstone Uniting Church and in a close contest the eventual winners were Gladstone State High School.

"It's just good for all the bands to get together and hear what each other are doing," said Rachel Wright, instrumental music teacher at Gladstone State High School.

Toolooa High, despite not having a Musical Director present, did snappy versions of Crocodile Rock and a big band arrangement of Smoke on the Water that grabbed the audience's attention.

Don Rader helps Steve Shannon from Gladstone State High School, adjust his trumpet.

Thursday August 16 commenced with a school workshop held at Gladstone State High School, attended by more than 50 students from four local high schools.

Don Rader likened music to sport as he explained the importance of practice and teamwork when playing in a band. The school students worked with Don and the conservatorium students to work on their respective instruments. They then came together for a jam session with a massed band of high school students, conservatorium students, teachers, lecturers and Don Rader.

Big Band with Monique O'Neill, far left and Don Rader, far right.

The evening performance was the 'Raders of the Lost Art' Jazz Spectacular in CQU's Gladstone Engineering Centre. Don Rader praised the efforts of conservatorium lecturers Glen Hodges and Derrin Kerr in putting the tour together.

"These two guys are jazz educators par excellence and great musicians as well," he said. Don showed his personal commitment to CQCM by telling the crowd, "We would like to have more students up there in Mackay, we'd like to have as many as we can."

The high point of the night was a big band with all of the horn players, including Don Rader, backing Gladstone girl Monique O'Neill in a classic version of Nat King Cole's 'Almost Like Being in Love'.

Monique O'Neill sings for her home crowd

Bundaberg Concert, Multicultural Fair Concert, Rockhampton Concert, Mackay Concert.

Story and Photos by Ross Green


		A Jazz Tour of Gladstone The Gladstone leg of the Con Jazz, Don Rader tour was a tale of two days with the August 15 performances being in churches and the August 16 appearances being in educational institutions. Ben Worthington gets the crowd singing The Golden Years performance was held in the morning in the Baptist Church in Trinity College and all of the audience got involved. The Sing-along was particularly enjoyed and Don Rader had competition as star of the show from first year CQCM vocal student and Mackay Young Citizen of the Year, Benjamin Worthington, who led the audience through many favourite songs that were considerably older than he is. "They sang along well and clapped well," said Fay Owens Gladstone Campus Coordinator for the Golden Years programme. "They responded to it all," she said. Little Big Band winners: Gladstone State High School In the evening the Little Big Band competition was held in the Gladstone Uniting Church and in a close contest the eventual winners were Gladstone State High School. "It's just good for all the bands to get together and hear what each other are doing," said Rachel Wright, instrumental music teacher at Gladstone State High School. Toolooa High, despite not having a Musical Director present, did snappy versions of Crocodile Rock and a big band arrangement of Smoke on the Water that grabbed the audience's attention. Don Rader helps Steve Shannon from Gladstone State High School, adjust his trumpet. Thursday August 16 commenced with a school workshop held at Gladstone State High School, attended by more than 50 students from four local high schools. Don Rader likened music to sport as he explained the importance of practice and teamwork when playing in a band. The school students worked with Don and the conservatorium students to work on their respective instruments. They then came together for a jam session with a massed band of high school students, conservatorium students, teachers, lecturers and Don Rader. Big Band with Monique O'Neill, far left and Don Rader, far right. The evening performance was the 'Raders of the Lost Art' Jazz Spectacular in CQU's Gladstone Engineering Centre. Don Rader praised the efforts of conservatorium lecturers Glen Hodges and Derrin Kerr in putting the tour together. "These two guys are jazz educators par excellence and great musicians as well," he said. Don showed his personal commitment to CQCM by telling the crowd, "We would like to have more students up there in Mackay, we'd like to have as many as we can." The high point of the night was a big band with all of the horn players, including Don Rader, backing Gladstone girl Monique O'Neill in a classic version of Nat King Cole's 'Almost Like Being in Love'. Monique O'Neill sings for her home crowd Bundaberg Concert, Multicultural Fair Concert, Rockhampton Concert, Mackay Concert. Story and Photos by Ross Green