Elder Hall 2014 Season

North Tce’s historic Elder Hall, considered to be one of the finest concert venues in the country since opening in 1900, has just announced its season for 2014.

“The lunchtime concerts – and there are more to be announced for the second half of the year – have something for everyone because they are a real mix,” Claire Oremland, a former member of Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and now Elder Hall’s Concert Manager, says. “If you are not fond of jazz, the following week will be a string quartet with an oboe recital the week after. And, as a concert series, they have a high profile and we are able to attract musicians from interstate and even overseas.” The lunchtime concerts, which have been an Elder Hall favourite since the 1950s, have actually seen increased attendances since having a $10 door charge. “I think that’s because people seem to value a concert more that has a price on it,” Oremland muses. “And our lunchtime subscriptions – a transferable, full season Gold Pass –have also become incredibly popular.” Elder Hall, which is utilised by Adelaide Fringe and Adelaide Festival during those annual events, also hosts many Masterclasses as well as having Elder Perspectives, a series of intimate concerts. “For Elder Perspectives we’ve commissioned some seven-foot high wooden screens which can be set up to turn Elder Hall into a much more intimate venue,” Oremland says. ‘It turns the hall from a 600-seater venue to an intimate space for 250 people. And the wonderful acoustics are still retained.” Evenings At Elder Hall, hosted by The Elder Conservatorium of Music and which commence in April and continue once a month until October (with some concerts having a Supper Club component with wine and canapés), also boasts a strong line-up with artists such as jazz musician James Morrison and renowned soprano Rosamund Illing taking part. “And, as part of that evening series, Elder Hall will also be presenting an opera, Englelbert Humperdinck’s folk opera Hansel and Gretel,” Oremland points out. “And that will be over four consecutive nights in October. “There’s actually something happening at Elder Hall all year round,” she concludes. “And as well as what we program, there are also other events such as Adelaide International Cello Festival, which happens in late March. Elder Hall is really a lovely treasure for the people of Adelaide who love music.” music.adelaide.edu.au/elderhall