Trumpeters at the Sydney Olympics	January 12, 2001

The Olympic Marching Band - 2000 strong The 2000 Sydney Olympics provided many outlets for trumpeters of all persuasions. Leading the charge was James Morrison, who redefined the term "Olympic Fanfare" when he performed his own composition at the opening ceremonies. He was accompanied by the Swing City Band, which included Australian Trumpet Guild Vice-President Paul Panichi. One could call it "Matilda meets Maynard," as the band and Morrison declaimed a bold and confident Australia to the world; drawing on the notes of Waltzing Matilda and sounds reminiscent of Maynard Ferguson at his best. Sydney Symphony trumpeters Daniel Mendelow, Peter Walmsley and Anthony Heinrichs were kept busy in the Olympic 'Pit' accompanying a cavalcade of Australian popular music stars. They also performed the eerie and evocative Tibi Mirum from Berlioz' Te Deum, as the Olympic flame made its ascent to the cauldron. Additional recorded music came from the Melbourne Symphony (trumpets: Geoffrey Payne, Bill Evans, and Julie Payne). Down on the field, it was 'trumpets to the fore' in the 2000 strong Olympic Marching Band, which drew members of high school age from New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria, plus 19 other countries. Of these, 21 Australian Fanfare Trumpeters were chosen to take part in the Morrison Fanfare, resplendent in star-encrusted Australian flag design drizabone long coats. Australian Fanfare Trumpeters who participated in James Morrison's "Olympic Fanfare" at the opening ceremonies Once the Marching Band had completed its impressive field display, it was time to usher in the Parade of Athletes, a procession that was meant to take one and a half hours. Divided into three sections, the band played in rotation. Two hours later, the benefits of eight hours a day practicing in freezing Bathurst really became evident. A little further from the international scrutiny, but no less a part of the games, was the Olympic Arts Festival. Again, the Sydney Symphony was featured, performing Mahler's Symphony of Thousand at the 20,000-seat Millennium Stadium, as well as Wagner's Götterdämmerung in concert version. Visiting Orchestras included the State Orchestra of Victoria (trumpets: Rob Smithies, Anthony Oppe, and Paul McConkey) performing in a triple bill with the Australian Ballet and touring with Andrea Bocelli. The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (trumpets: Michael Kirgan, Cheryl Hollinger, Mark Carter, and Tom Moyer) and the Philharmonic Orchestra of La Scala Milan (trumpets: Giuseppe Bodanza, Luciano Cadoppi, Sandro Malatesta, Mouro Edntippe, Matteo Beschi) appeared in the Concert Hall. There were also visits from the Australian and Asian Youth Orchestras. On the "other side" the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra (trumpets: James Blunt, Greg Carr, Brian Evans, Bruce Hellmers, and Chris Perrin) were busy accompanying Opera Australia in a season of five operas. The same orchestra also performed in the Australian Ballet's season of The Merry Widow and a special pair of concerts backing Broadway superstar Barbara Cook (trumpeters for those performances: Brain Evans, Paul Panichi and Chris Perrin). Source: Brian Evans, Australian Trumpet Guild

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