Music lovers are in for a rare treat when acclaimed organist Christopher Trikilis joins local musicians Glen Loe and Gerry Ciavarella for a one-night-only candlelight concert at the Bairnsdale Uniting Church on Friday, June 26, at 7.30pm.
Presented by the Pipe Organ and Musical Events Group (POMEG) as part of the East Gippsland Winter Festival, the special performance will combine the majestic sounds of the pipe organ, the stirring emotion of the bagpipes, and the rich tones of the saxophone.
The concert program will feature a selection of well-loved classics, and guests will be invited to enjoy a complimentary supper with tea, coffee, and mulled wine following the performance.
Melbourne-born Christopher Trikilis is widely regarded as one of Australia’s leading organists and church musicians. He currently serves as Director of Music at Brisbane’s Cathedral of St Stephen, where he conducts the cathedral choirs and performs on its renowned Jubilee Pipe Organ.
Joining Mr Trikilis on bagpipes is Paynesville resident Glen Loe, whose distinguished military career began when he joined the 1st Battalion Irish Guards in Northern Ireland at the age of 18. After taking up the bagpipes at 20, Mr Loe served for 22 years with the British Army, performing at prestigious events including Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. He relocated to Australia in 2014 and has since become a familiar figure in the local community.
Completing the trio is respected saxophonist and music educator Gerry Ciavarella. Since moving to Paynesville from Melbourne in 1995, Mr Ciavarella has played a significant role in East Gippsland’s musical landscape. During his 25 years at Bairnsdale Secondary College, he taught a wide range of instruments and directed concert and swing bands that became staple attractions at community fundraisers and festivals, including the Paynesville Music Festival and the Merimbula Jazz Festival. He currently serves as the Instrumental Music Coordinator at Maffra Secondary College.
Organisers say the concert promises a memorable evening that beautifully blends the power and subtlety of the instruments within the intimate, atmospheric setting of a candlelit church.
Tickets are available through the East Gippsland Winter Festival website or can be purchased at the door. Strong interest is expected for this unique local musical event.
