Stan will perform with the Auckland Chamber Orchestra in Tiramarama

CONCERT INSPIRED BY STARS
A concert showcasing successful Maori and Pacific singers will be held this Saturday evening as part of the Matariki festival with a line-up set to inspire.

Stan Walker, Ardijah, Maisey Rika and Adeaze are just a few of the artists who will be accompanied by the Auckland Chamber Orchestra in Tiramarama, the glistening of the stars.

Chamber orchestra conductor Peter Scholes has been creating the orchestration of songs since the start of the year when concert producer Hinewehi Mohi came to him with the idea.

"It's Hinewehi's brainchild. I've been given the job of taking the artists' original songs and making the orchestra cover all the musical ingredients like rhythms and chords," he says.

The artists have chosen four songs each to bring to the concert – two they will sing alongside the orchestra, and two they will sing alone.

Mr Scholes says: "It's a huge challenge. I have deep respect for the creativity and skills of the artists so it's a privilege to be able to do songs and conduct alongside them."

Tiramarama will also feature a new composition by Dr Charles Te Ahukaramu Royal and Reo of traditional Maori instruments, taonga puoro, with the orchestra.

Concert producer Ms Mohi says: "Matariki is a great time for coming together and sharing. The Tiramarama concert provides a showcase of collaboration of cultures and musical genre for us all to come together and enjoy."

Ms Mohi says the idea for incorporating orchestral music with pop songs comes from a rich European tradition all musicians respect and admire.

"This is a standout opportunity for contemporary artists to perform with sublime sound of orchestra. It will be particularly interesting hearing the voices of taonga puoro combine with orchestra," she says.

Tickets to Tiramarama start at $35 for adults, $15 for under 16 from www.buytickets.co.nz or 0800 BUY TICKETS.