Striking a chord

Free general admission tickets were made available on Thursday morning and were completely booked out by that evening.

Featuring the Perth Symphony Big Band, accompanied by the Symphony’s full string section for the first time, the concert will showcase the music of artists from Michael Buble and Robbie Williams to Maroon 5 and Adele.

While international acts supply the playlist, the concert provides a platform for the immense vocal talent of Perth headliners Mark Underwood, Justin Burford and emerging young star Sophie Foster.

PSO executive director Bourby Webster said she was elated to have secured the funding required for the event, which makes use of the same major-production set-up Murdoch University uses for its graduation ceremonies.

“We are really excited to perform in the City of Melville for the first time,” she said.

“Bringing our Big Band together with our string section will be particularly special. This concert is going to be a big party up on stage and and so much fun for the patrons; we are hopeful of attracting 3000 people.”

With an emphasis on uncovering local talent, Ms Webster said PSO was particularly pleased about the opportunity to present Foster to a Melville audience.

“I lecture at WAAPA and asked some of the other lecturers there to recommend a young contemporary vocalist for this show and they all unanimously suggested Sophie,” she said. “Then I saw her headlining a show at Ellington Jazz Club and spoke to the head of programming there who said she is mind-blowing and one of the biggest talents coming out of Perth.”

The concert is the result of a collaboration between Murdoch University, the City of Melville, PSO and a number of its sponsors.

VIP tickets are also on sale for $50, which includes VIP parking, entry, seating in the centre of the arena and dedicated toilets.

Anybody interested in volunteering at the concert can email info@perthysymphony.com.