For Australians, there is no tune more evocative or emotional than the Last Post, a moment when we join as a nation to reflect and remember all those who have sacrificed their lives for this great country. At 6am on Sunday, the RSL WA recommends we stand on our driveways and tune into the ABC and listen to James Morrison’s rendition.
But if tearing up just the once isn’t enough, take the chance to listen to renditions from some of our WA’s leading Art’s Organisations.
WA Opera and UWA join to stream a performance of The Last Post
Performed on the trumpet by Samantha Marley of UWA Conservatorium, WA Opera are presenting a performance of The Last Post. We spoke to WA Opera’s Director of Music, Chris Van Tuinen to get the inside scoop.
“It’s pre-recorded. We knew the shutdown was coming, so we gathered a few artists to record a few things [before social distancing was enforced]” says Chris.
The Last Post was recorded as part of WA Opera’s
Ghost Light Series, which makes reference to the theatre folklore that all theatres have ghosts, and you don’t want them to come out in the dark. Chris explained, “when the theatres are dark, it’s tradition to hang a single light on a stand in the centre of the stage [to keep the ghosts away]”.
Something about the spookiness of ghosts feels morbid yet oddly fitting for a day where we commemorate those who sacrificed themselves to protect their country.
Tune in on Saturday at 6am here: https://www.waopera.asn.au/show/the-last-post/
WASO principal trumpeter organises WAAPA performance of The Last Post
3rd year WAAPA Music student and trumpet player Hamish McCamley has performed a traditional take of The Last Post, due for release on ANZAC Day.
Performed at WAAPA’s own Richard Hill Auditorium, Hamish has been taught by the best: Brent Grapes, principal trumpeter of WASO. Grapes, who is also a WAAPA lecturer, organised the whole performance and taught Hamish how The Last Post should be performed.
We spoke to Anton Mazandarani from WAAPA, who told us the stream was “sombre… It’s the music to lay the foundations of our culture… Everyone knows the significance of that music when they hear it.”
Tune in at 8am on Saturday on ECU's Facebook Page, where the footage will be posted for all to experience.