Apr2013_Mt Mee Ramblings
By Ian Wells
Some old timers are saying that they have never seen the Mountain any wetter than it is as I write. Much of our own country is too steep and slippery for the motorbike and the dog seems to think that she would run similar risks if she moved far from her favourite verandah. So caring for the cattle is just not easy.
We are still awaiting our new garage doors (thanks to Oswald), but that hardly matters – it is almost too boggy to get the vehicles out!
The Sunshine Brass Mt Mee concert in early March was surprisingly well attended –
(not even one electric guitar).
It was interesting to hear a brass ensemble attempting to voice orchestral music. Some of the stuff came over very well indeed – the brooding Sibelius “Finlandia” made the hair stand up on the nape of my neck! But some of it wasn’t so successful – for example the rendition of the frothy little “Elizabethan Serenade” was heavy, unbalanced and totally out of whack.
The two schoolchildren appearing on trumpet as guest artists were a delight – especially when they got excited in duet with the chorus of “Can Can” and shot away, leaving the band floundering in their wake.
Interval was a highlight for your writer, when five of the musicians struck up some unscheduled swinging little jazz tunes. “Bill Bailey” went well and “Mister Sandman” was even better.
About one hundred years ago, jazz grew out of the brass street bands of New Orleans in this exact way. What a great way to celebrate that centenary! This time we had two trumpets, a real tailgate trombone, a Bb tuba playing very fine bass lines, and drums. It sorely needed a banjo, and I know of someone in the audience who has one – and for two pins he would have gone home to get it.
During the second stint, amongst many other offerings, five trombones backed by the full band played an original – “Mt Mee Blues”. A simple little tune but with some complex improvised slide gymnastics. Some said that they could have dedicated “Raindrops keep Falling” to Mt Mee instead!
The ever-popular St Lucia Orchestra appears in our next Mt Mee concert – again sadly, but unavoidably, on Dayboro Day – 26th May. Conducted this time by Neil Flottman and featuring our favourite soprano Leslie Martin and tenor Gregory Moore as guest artists, this concert will mark the 40th birthday of the orchestra, and is titled “Forty Years Young”.
There will be much more about this event in the next Grapevine, but you should get in early and book now. Kay ph 5498 2104 or Joyce ph 5498 2270. It will be booked out!
ANZAC Day is almost here. The service at the Mt Mee Dahmongah Lookout begins at 6am, and will be followed by the traditional gunfire breakfast provided by the Mountaintop Community Church (gold coin please). There will even be a traditional tot available to those possibly weakened by the early morning chill.
The ANZAC Day address this year will be given by Colonel John L Mayer, a serving US Marine Corps officer currently stationed at Enoggera. Amongst many other career achievements, while commanding First Battalion, Fourth US Marines the Colonel led his unit through two tours of combat duty in Iraq and served as military governor of Babylon province.
Weather permitting, there will be a piano and some ‘proper’ singers to help us through the hymn this year. (Didn’t we ever “stuff it up” last time!)
Residents and friends are warmly invited to lay a wreath honouring relatives or friends during the service. Although it is not essential, organisers would appreciate advance notice of intention to lay a wreath – phone Neil (5498 2148) or Ian (5498 2104).
Sadly, our little “Lone Pine” descendant has had a scale infestation and is not yet back to full health, despite rigorous treatment by Council parks staff. It does feel sensitive about its appearance, so please don’t be rude!
