Breaking the mould

JASON OXENHAM

SENSATIONAL SOUND: Ten-year-old Adele Saldanha, left, and Phoebe Chow, 9, are from the 45-member Auckland Girls Choir and will join other youth choirs from throughout Auckland to form a 150 member choir to sing with the NZ Pops Orchestra.

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An upcoming concert is set to challenge all ideas about what an orchestra is.

The New Zealand Pops Orchestra is presenting O Sole Mio at the Auckland Town Hall on Sunday.

The country's first pop orchestra specialises in combining contemporary pop songs with classic music traditions, as well as performing the most popular classic compositions ever written.

The orchestra performs a unique fusion of memorable, timeless and popular music, covering instrumental and vocals from different eras.

The concert features music from Crowded House, The Exponents, U2, Simon & Garfunkel and Beethoven to name a few.

The 55 world-class instrumentalists will be conducted by Rita Paczian, and the soloists are Gina Sanders, Will Martin and Speaker of the House, Lockwood Smith.

Dr Smith says while he is used to speaking in front of audiences, he will be deviating from his comfort zone when it comes to singing.

"Will Martin and I are doing a duet on a Simon & Garfunkel song, the orchestra starts out just with guitars and then when it becomes the orchestra in full flight it sounds just wonderful."

While rehearsing with the Auckland Girls Choir he said he was impressed with their talent.

"I've heard many choirs, but their voices make a wonderful sound. They're a real credit to their choir mistress."

He encourages everyone to experience the musical spectacular.

"For anyone who music means anything at all to, it will be fun."

The concert will be on Sunday at 5pm.

Go to buytickets.co.nz, phone 0800 Buy Tickets or get tickets at the door.

- © Fairfax NZ News