Leonard and the Lottery Ticket

(scroll down for story)

At 11am last Sunday morning, May 17th, there was an extraordinary “Musical Extravaganza” featuring over 100 musicians from across NSW.   This special concert was held in the Coonabarabran High School Hall, and was masterminded by Mark and Jo Walton.  Mark is no stranger to Coonabarabran, as he and Wilf MacBeth were the motivating force behind many young musicians who chose to learn to play woodwind instruments.  To encourage students in the country Mark Walton instigated Video Conference lessons when this was a new technology.

Mark Walton OAM has been visiting Coonabarabran for many years now, working with the talented local musicians. Over the past 10 years Mark has enjoyed working with the music teachers Wilf MacBeth, Di Suthons, Kim D’Espiney, Rose Eriksson, Katherine Richardson and Jenny Binovec.  In recognition of Mark’s untiring support of music in regional NSW he was recently honoured with a special award from the Sydney Conservatorium High School. With this award Mark has brought together many of his musical friends from Sydney and around NSW for two concerts in Coonabarabran and Gilgandra. The centrepiece of both concerts was a performance of Mark’s new family musical: ‘Leonard and the Lottery Ticket’ - a highly entertaining show for anyone young at heart. The enchanting story of Leonard was narrated by Coonabarabran’s High School’s students:  Vicky Lee and James Watson. 

Taking part in this musical extravaganza were Coonabarabran’s Orbital Swing Band, Sydney’s Catastrophic Winds, The City Slickers, the Sydney U3A Choir and, all of the way from Mungindi, Bated Breath.  Nancy Doolan, playing the piano, accompanied the Sydney Choir and the solo performances by Mark Walton and Alexander Lee.

The audience and performers had an exhilarating time, and the concert goers were ready with praise after this wonderful event.  The standard of performances was high and the audience enjoyed a feast of music, with the variety of styles and pieces.  Fun was had by all!  Congratulations go to all performers.  A special mention is needed for our two narrators, James Watson and Vicky Lee, who spoke so clearly and well, in telling the entertaining story about Leonard.   Mark Walton, the writer and composer of “Leonard and the Lottery Ticket”, is also a gifted woodwind player.  He performed a wonderful, virtuoso clarinet piece, and conducted all the music played by the visiting ensembles.  Jo Walton was the organizing virtuoso, getting information out to all performers and sending music and lyrics around the state!    Nancy Doolan once again performed with her expertise on the piano.  The Orbital Swing Band did swing in their performances of their two jazz pieces, and Alexander Lee amazed us all with his prowess and virtuoso performance on the saxophone.