Fine send-off for Youth Orchestra

JUST over a year ago, Gisborne violinist/musical director Gordon Gregory conducted the last of the Festival of Orchestras he and wife Robin had organised annually for 30 years. And this month he had another goodbye, directing what was likely to be the last Gisborne Youth Orchestra concert — ever.
The Youth Orchestra was established in 1969 and Gregory had been involved since the mid-1980s. However, the pressure of time and the availability of musical opportunities through schools have taken their toll on community ensembles including the Youth Orchestra, which is now in recess.
Though he was sad to see it wound up, Gordon Gregory said this month’s Awards and Con Brio Concert was “a howling success” — with some special touches to mark the occasion.
A film compiled by orchestra stalwart Learne Cooper “moved me to tears”, he said.
“We also had people in the audience who had come from all over the North Island to be there.”
The visitors weren’t only in the audience. Labour MP Moana Mackey — a seasoned violin player and GYO old girl — took time out of her electioneering duties to ensure she was available to play on the day.
And she was among the crew that sneakily organised for other GYO alumni to travel to Gisborne so they could leap up on stage and help play the final number, which Gregory later described as a particularly spirited version of Nashville.
Most of this merriment, however, took place after the formal part of the event, the presentation of the prizes, which went to:
■ Imrie Memorial Cup (for most improved violinist) — Anna Cooper
■ GYO Senior Cup (for service to the orchestra) — Anna Cooper
■ GYO Junior Merit Award (to assist with continuing music study) — Jaimee Fisher; Jinal Mehta (flute); Erin O’Donnell (violin)
■ Gisborne Civic Orchestra Scholarship (for most improved junior, clarinet) — Nadia Stander
■ GYO Conducting Scholarship — Matthew Lee
■ Charles Wilkinson Musical Trust Scholarship — Laura Brown
■ Raymond Ferdinando Scholarships — Bernadette Stander (bass); Clyde Smith (violin)
■ GYO Con Brio Award — Millie Spedding
■ Choir Con Brio — Anna Cooper
■ Gisborne Youth Concert Band Con Brio Award — Maddie Stonehouse