Pink meets Purple

Pink meets Purple comes to the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music on Saturday 31 October, a concert that puts two heavyweights of the rock-classical crossover on one bill. It's presented by the Fernleigh Orchestral and Arts Network, and it's billed as the first time in Australia that these two works have shared the same programme.

The first half belongs to Pink Floyd: the Atom Heart Mother Suite, performed by a rock band, a brass ensemble, a choir and a cello soloist. The second is Jon Lord's Concerto for Rock Group and Orchestra, written by the Deep Purple keyboardist. Between them, the night bridges rock and classical music, pairing a suite inspired by Pink Floyd with a concerto written by a member of Deep Purple.

On stage, the Fernleigh Wind Ensemble is conducted by Ian Cook, joined by a rock group of local Newcastle musicians: Marty Worrall on vocals, Jacob Cummins on guitar, John Wallace on bass, Chris Blake on keyboard, Phil Aughey on piano and Ben Barnes on drums. The evening is supported by the NSW Government through the Regional Community Bands Program.

It runs from 7:30pm to 9:30pm at the Conservatorium, on the corner of Laman and Auckland Streets in Newcastle. General admission is A$39.00 plus a A$1.48 fee, and concession is A$33.00 plus a A$1.33 fee.