Concert

Founders Theatre March 17 2011

Tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime event are available through Ticketek's website or by phoning the Founders Theatre on +64 7 838 6600. 

Adults $20 | Students and Seniors $15 | Children (under 14) $10

CONCERT BRINGS INTERNATIONAL MUSIC STARS HOME FOR HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL'S CENTENNIAL

Several big names from the international music stage are returning to Hamilton for a one-off concert on March 17.  This marks the start of Hamilton High School’s Centennial celebrations, organised by Cambridge-based HQmedia. The concert is hosted by the irrepressible Te Radar, himself an old boy of Hamilton Boys’ High School.

Internationally acclaimed musician Chris H Thompson (of Manfred Mann’s Earth band) is back from England, along with concert pianist Stephen De Pledge, top opera singer Lorraine Jones, celebrated blues/folk singer songwriter Chris Thompson, and internationally renowned jazz trumpeter Mike Booth. Many past students and staff will support the lineup, including Kevin McNeil, Neil and Wayne Reynolds (from The Mods) supported by Pitt Ramsay on guitar, Kay Jay Manuel, barbershop group Bella Voce and many others.

Chris H Thompson launched his career at Hamilton Boys’ and formed Mandrake after leaving school. In 1990 he recorded the single, “This Is The Moment” which was the official theme song for the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland.

In 1995 he performed “You’re The Voice” in the Netherlands at the World Liberty Concert as the grand finale of this event.  In 2006 he joined Jeff Wayne to tour as The Voice of Humanity in the live version of The War of The Worlds. Thompson has featured on several albums by artists such as Alan Parsons, Jan Hammer, Steve Hackett, Bonnie Tyler, Mike Oldfield and Sarah Brightman, as well as providing back up vocals for the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert and later for Brian May, of Queen.  As a songwriter, Thompson’s greatest success was contributing to John Farnham’s single “You’re The Voice”, which reached Top 10 positions in many countries across the world.  Thompson has been involved with the SAS band (Spike's All Star Band), where he has performed numerous songs, including Manfred Mann's Earth Band “Blinded by the Light”.

Stephen De Pledge is widely regarded as one of the most versatile musicians of his generation.  He has performed throughout the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Italy, France, Singapore, Japan, Australia and the USA, with concerto appearances including the Philharmonia (London) and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestras as well as performances in the Barbican and Fairfield Halls.  As a chamber musician, Stephen De Pledge has collaborated with groups such as the English Chamber Orchestra Ensemble and the Scottish Ensemble. Internationally experienced singer Linda De Pledge joins her Brother Stephen, returning to their Waikato roots to take part in the Centennial Concert at Founders Theatre.

Lorraine Nawa Jones is one of New Zealand’s most successful opera singers. She studied at Trinity College, London, and won awards which enabled her to further her studies in Italy and New York.  After winning a lead role with the Dublin Grand Opera, other major roles quickly followed at many of the world’s leading Opera Houses.  However it was her collaboration at the Rome Opera with Richard Bonynge that launched her onto the international stage, and led to roles with the Australian National Opera.  She is the subject of TVNZ’s award-winning DIVA documentary.  Currently residing in Italy with her husband and leading man, the tenor Angelo Marenzi, Lorraine has always had a keen interest in teaching younger singers, and has nurtured pupils, held master classes and supported fledgling Opera groups in many parts of the world.

The folk-blues musician Chris Thompson is a professional singer/songwriter living in Hamilton, New Zealand. His music spans the country, folk and blues styles and his current catalogue consists of nearly two hundred original songs and guitar instrumentals.

Chris turned professional in 1968 while living in Auckland, and was employed as Julie Felix's guitarist in London in 1971. He made his first, self-titled LP for Village Thing Records in 1973, and during the seventies returned to tour with acts including Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Waves, and John Hanlon. During this period, he released two albums in New Zealand.  He also appeared at the Nambassa Festival.

In the early eighties Chris was living in Hamilton, New Zealand.  He recorded Hometown Voodoo in 1981. The Natural Blues album featured some of the same songs, and was recorded in 1983 for Cityfolk Records of Napier. This was the first of his records to be a finalist in the New Zealand Record Industry Awards. During 1985, Chris moved to Auckland, married a Canadian-born musician and songwriter Lynne, and toured with Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Chris went on to record several solo albums for Ode: cassette recordings ‘The Road to Raglan’, and ‘Far Out and Solid’, were both compiled to become Chris' first CD release Coffee Break. The Song for Laura CD, recorded in 1995, became Chris' third recording to be nominated for a record industry award.

Mike Booth is probably NZ’s most successful trumpet player.  Mike began his professional career in 1975, recording and doing tours with international acts such as Dionne Warwick, Tina Turner and Isaac Hayes. Returning to New Zealand, Mike rejoined the Rodger Fox Big Band going to the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1980 and 1981.

Regular work in New Zealand during the 80’s included television, radio and jingle recordings and touring with many bands, shows and musical acts including The Cats Away, Dave Dobbin and The Netherworld Dancing Toys. He was a sub for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, other regional Orchestras and performed with a Brass Quintet for two years.

In 1989, Mike attended Berklee College of Music in Boston and went on from there to the Netherlands. After 18 years in the Netherlands he is perhaps best known as a member of the popular Netherlands Pop group de Dijk, performing to stadium crowds of up to 50,000.

In 2006, Mike attained a Bachelor of Music from the Rotterdam Conservatory and in the same year he concluded a three year Musical Directorship of the West coast Big Band with two projects featuring Dutch compositions for Big Band and the music of Dutch Jazz icon, Rob Pronk.

During 2011, Mike will again be presenting the Jazz Rock course at Massey (Auckland School of Music); He is resident Itinerate brass tutor and Band leader at Hamilton Boys’ High School.

The reunion marks 100 years since the beginning of co-ed Hamilton High School in 1911 and is expected to attract thousands of ex students and staff members to Hamilton City.  Celebrations have been designed for young and old alike, and will take place from March 17-20, in commemoration of what’s regarded as a momentous occasion in Hamilton’s history.

The programme of events following the concert includes school tours, former staff get together, a mix n mingle gathering, celebration of success breakfast, photo sessions taking place at both schools, sports at both schools and a “trip down memory lane” at Girls’ High along with a cocktail party concluding with a Church service on the Sunday.

In 1955, Hamilton High School split into Hamilton Girls’ High School and Hamilton Boys’ High School. The current Girls’ High School stands on the very ground that was once co-ed, while Hamilton Boys’ moved to Peachgrove Road, in Hamilton East.

Event professionals HQmedia have been commissioned to manage the High School reunion. HQmedia recently produced the Sir Colin Meads Tribute Dinner in Hamilton and the Cambridge Melbourne Cup Day staged as part of the World Rowing Championships 2010 at Lake Karapiro.

A limited number of tickets will be made available to the public in February.