THERE will be elephants, wolves and cats roaming the stage at the Redland Performing Arts Centre later this weekend as the Redland Sinfonia launches its 2026 season — and celebrates its 40th anniversary — with a special interactive concert for children.
The family-friendly performance, Peter in the Wild, will take place at 11am and 2pm on March 28 and is designed to immerse young audiences in the world of orchestral music.
Orchestra president Rosina McDonnell-Tucker said the concert had been specially designed to be fun, engaging and accessible for children.
The first half of the performance will feature a selection of animal-themed music, including Baby Elephant Walk, Seal Lullaby and Flight of the Bumblebee.
The second half will present a full rendition of the classic musical tale Peter and the Wolf.
Narration will be provided by Paul Bishop, while students from Bayside Dance will act out characters from the story on stage, accompanied by original artwork projected on screen.
Ms McDonnell-Tucker said the concert was aimed particularly at younger audiences, with children invited to sit close to the orchestra inside RPAC’s event space.
“We encourage the children to dress up and bring their soft toys. There will be a little parade during Baby Elephant Walk,” she said.
“This is a wonderful learning experience for young people and a chance to educate parents as well who might want to relive their memories.
“It is the first time we have held a children’s cushion concert.”
A sausage sizzle will also be held for children before the concert and during the interval.
“We want everyone to get out there and have a good time,” she said.
The concert will be conducted by Nicky Griffith and marks the first of four performances planned by the orchestra for 2026.
“As this is the 40th anniversary of the orchestra, a 40-theme persists during most of the concerts,” Ms McDonnell-Tucker said.
Future performances in the anniversary season include Beautiful Beethoven on June 6, Beyond the Stars on September 12 at RPAC and Orchestra Favourites on November 15 at the Donald Simpson Leisure Centre.
The sinfonia is also planning a special dinner for friends and supporters later in the year.
“We will be playing Beethoven’s sixth on the sixth of the sixth which is also Queensland Day. We will be wearing maroon which is a heritage colour of the orchestra for this excerpt,” she said.
Ms McDonnell-Tucker is one of the orchestra’s inaugural members and has a strong family connection to the ensemble, with husband John playing trumpet, brother-in-law Chris Tucker on French horn and daughter Naomi on double bass.
“It’s great to get local support when we have a full orchestra full of local talent in our own back yard,” she said.
“There is a lot of excitement and enthusiasm, and members are willing to step out of their comfort zones and do something different.
“You never know — by coming to Peter in the Wild you might start a new journey that involves you as an audience member or future performer over the next 40 years.”
Ms McDonnell-Tucker said she still remembered learning The Cat from Peter and the Wolf as a beginning musician and was proud to now perform the piece as part of the orchestra.
The clarinet solo will be performed by Geoff Seccombe.
