Pianist Thomas Nikora with the Wellington Chamber Orchestra for Matariki concert

Pianist Thomas Nikora will feature in  the Wellington Chamber Orchestra Matariki concert at Featherston’s ANZAC Hall on Sunday June 26^th. 

This Matariki programme features Great Tunes from the Golden Age of the Movies, arranged by talented conductor Michael Vinten (also a former director of Cantoris).

Names such as Gershwin, Shostakovich, Walton and Korngold are to the fore, and Thomas will play what are really mini-concertos on pieces like Warsaw Concerto and New York Rhapsody.

Given the cosmic significance of Matariki and our new public holiday, the orchestra will perform a piece by one of New Zealand’s first musicians to make a career overseas – Warwick Braithwaite. His piece “Aue! A Maori Tone Picture” will have its first performance for quite some time, composed probably as far back as the 1930s.

Masterton born and bred, Thomas is one of the Wellington/Wairarapa region’s most popular and accomplished pianists and choir directors. A bit of a prodigy from Makoura College. He is looking forward to playing on his home ground. “Featherston is great” he said “There’s a fantastic piano at Anzac Hall and the whole place is deeply historic,

Since 2016 Thomas has been Music Director for the Cantoris Choir, a prestigious Wellington institution for 50 years. He’s sung and played with many others too – the Festival Singers, Orpheus Choir and Nota Bene. He’s long wanted to be involved with the Wellington Chamber Orchestra, also now 50 years Young, and now is his chance.

Anzac Hall

Sunday 26 June, 2pm. Tickets at Eventfinda (WCO Matariki) and on the door.

(Adults $20, Concession $15, Children free)