On Saturday, June 22, Steel City Strings brought the music from the movies to life at Wollongong Art Gallery.
The Reel Music soundscape drew on cinematic classics, as well as music for Riptide by local composer John Spence and a Steel City Strings commission by composer Lauren Mercovich.
Local concert goers shared their thoughts.
The Kilby Family of Corrimal: Rumi, John, Hayden, Anya
“We came to see the cinematic scores played tonight and it is also always great to support new missions and see new work, especially on a rainy night in Wollongong – just beautiful to see this music. The kids really liked Pirates of the Caribbean, the fast bits. John thought the original piece was really good. It made us realise we need to go back and watch half those films, but especially Rip Tide. People immediately knew Psycho during that set.”
Composer Lauren Mercovich
"I really enjoyed the show. The Psycho one was just incredible… that’s a classic. I really enjoyed John Spence's Rip Tide score. It was cool, they’re so professional. It was played with a lot of enthusiasm and expression."
Barbara and Glen Rixon, of Wollongong
“We’ve been living in Wollongong for 60 years or more, so it’s fantastic to hear this sort of stuff in our hometown, and in a beautiful little venue like this art gallery. It was never designed for concerts, just the old city council chambers, but it's a wonderful concert venue.
“I liked Psycho. Whether you’ve seen the movie or you haven't, it scares you. Plus it’s good to see local composers, there’s two here and they were both great too. Everything from Strauss to Psycho to video games. Even though we’re 86, we can still enjoy all of this stuff. We’ve never played a video game! It’s interesting.”
Marie, of Cordeaux Heights
“I am liking the show. There’s not a lot of it that I know, like those dragon ones, and I’m not into computer games. I have no idea about the music but I am in favour of any sort of classical music. I did classical ballet, and I did it until about 2019 and I’m over 70 – and my ballet teacher is right over there with her two kids. They are music people too. The little boy plays the cello and the girl plays the violin. And I'm into theatre and art and I volunteer with the Arcadians theatre group in Corrimal. Theatre… and music was my favourite even as a child when I was growing up.”
