GEORGE Ellis still remembers the first moment he heard a David Bowie song.
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He was 10 years old and at the time did not know it was Bowie, but fondly remembers listening to a “great song on the radio”.
“He [Bowie] was singing about long blonde hair but what I heard were the instruments – the violin and cello,” he said.
Ellis, now one of Australia’s foremost conductors, composers and orchestrators, will come full circle with his love for the late musician in October and help to bring a David Bowie rock symphony to life at Hope Estate.
Empire Touring, who are behind the award-winning Ziggy – Songs of David Bowie group, contacted Ellis earlier this year with an idea, one the conductor jumped at. It was a call asking Ellis whether he would like to be part of a Bowie concert, featuring an orchestra, in the vineyards.
“I said yes straight away,” he said.
Ellis met with the Ziggy band – Jeff Duff, Steve Balbi and Brydon Stace – and set about selecting what Bowie songs they will play and how to bring the band and a 30-piece orchestra together.
Just like Ellis, members of the orchestra he has brought together to play at Hope Estate jumped at the opportunity to feature in the show.
“It usually takes me about a week to get a 30-piece orchestra together,” Ellis said. “I put this one together in less than 24 hours.”
Ellis is now in the middle of arranging the symphony and working out which of the 30-plus Bowie songs the orchestra will be part of. He said practice will begin at the start of October and the entire production will come together a week before the show.
Rock Symphony In The Vines: Bowie will be held at Hope Estate, Pokolbin, on Saturday, October 15.
Tickets, on sale now through Ticketmaster, start at $90. A $90 general admission ticket is for seating on the lawn. Reserved seating starts at $120. The Star has one double pass containing two general admission tickets to give away to the rock symphony, which starts at 4pm.
To win the pass, send your name, daytime contact number and, in 25 words or less, a reason why you would like to win in an email titled “Bowie” to star@fairfaxmedia.com.au. The winner will be announced on Monday, October 7.