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The Australian a cappella quartet "The Idea of North", officially recognised as a world class act, will make its debut in Hong Kong at a concert in November.
The programme includes "Fields of Gold", "Mas Que Nada", "People Get Ready", "Don't Wait Too Long", "Isn't She Lovely", "But Not For Me", "Secret Love" and "Chili Con Carne". The concert features the quartet with their pure vocals to re-invent a cappella and taking it to new heights.
"The Idea of North" have a diverse repertoire of songs from jazz, pop and contemporary standards and ballads, liberally mixed with original compositions and all superbly arranged in the group's unique style.
Their outstanding performances earned them "The Harmony Sweepstakes", "Audience Favourite" and "Best Arrangement" awards in 2003. They are the first non-US group to win this prestigious award in the historical and largest international open a cappella competition in the world.
The Sydney Morning Herald commented "in terms of quality of ensemble and elegance of arrangements, this group's work is in the same league as that of The Swingle Singers in their heyday. On top of that, they incorporate a wry, deadpan Australian sense of humour that made their performance immensely entertaining." Renowned jazz musician James Morrison described them as "the best contemporary a cappella quartet in Australia".
The group was formed by soprano Sally Cameron, alto Naomi Crellin, tenor Nick Begbie and bass Andrew Piper in 1993. Acclaimed as an "a cappella quartet" and a "jazz vocal quartet", it has given more than 100 performances each year throughout Australia, the USA, Asia and Europe.
Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, "A Cappella Series: The Idea of North" concert will be staged at 8pm on November 18 (Sunday) at the Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall. Tickets priced at $120, $200 and $280, are now available at URBTIX outlets. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) recipients (limited tickets for students and CSSA recipients available on a first-come, first-served basis). A 10% discount applies to Friends of LCSD performing venues. Group discount on purchase with "A Cappella Series: Semiscon Vocal Band" is also available. For more details, please check programme leaflet.
For programme enquiries, call 2268 7321; for ticketing enquiries and reservations, call 2734 9009; for credit card telephone bookings, call 2111 5999; for Internet bookings, visit www.urbtix.hk; for more information, visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp.
A free pre-concert workshop (in English) will be held at 5.30pm on November 17 (Saturday) at Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum. Free admission vouchers are available for collection from October 17 (Wednesday) onwards at the enquiry counter of Hong Kong Cultural Centre on a first-come-first-served basis. Two tickets are limited per person.
Ends/Friday, August 31, 2007
Issued at HKT 10:01
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