Wagga Wagga alternative folk singer-songwriter Wildharmony performs at the latest RCM Live at Lunch. Photo: Chris Roe.
Hannah-Grace Spreitzer’s pure, gentle voice casts a spell across the room. Alone on stage with her guitar in the small community hall, the folk singer-songwriter weaves a lyrical tapestry of stories and reflections that bring a tear to the eye of more than one in the audience.
Around 40 people have gathered at the North Wagga Community Hall to enjoy the latest Live at Lunch concert, presented by the Riverina Conservatorium of Music (RCM).
An audience of around 50 gathers at the North Wagga Community hall to experience the music of Hannah-Grace Spreitzer AKA Wildharmony. Photo: Chris Roe.
RCM associate director Harold Gretton says Hannah-Grace, who performs as Wildharmony, brings a modern and distinctly local touch to the long-running concert series.
“It’s very much about local musicians,” he says.
“It’s about supporting young talents and upcoming talents like Hannah-Grace to get up on stage and have a professional opportunity as much as featuring more established performing artists who are on staff at the Conservatorium.”
Unlike most of the classical Live at Lunch offerings, Hannah-Grace’s music dates from this century and was written and composed in the Riverina.
“One of the good things to come out of the pandemic was that we looked much more locally for our concert series and discovered the richness and depth of what we actually have here in Wagga and the Riverina,” he says.
Hannah-Grace has been sharing her music as Wildharmony since 2018 and has been studying and teaching vocals at RCM for a little over a year.
The Wagga musician says it’s great to be able to study music and perform in her hometown.
“It’s really been amazing. I’m very thankful for that opportunity at the Con [Riverina Conservatorium],” she says.
The Live at Lunch concert series has become a fixture on the Wagga community calendar. Dr Gretton says it’s a great opportunity to share what RCM is all about.
“I think the main impetus behind them is just the notion of giving back to the community,” he says.
A broad spectrum of the community attends Wildharmony’s performance and Dr Gretton says accessibility is essential.
“It’s hopefully open as much to professionals as to retirees and, as we see today, a number of student groups that came in on excursions,” he says.
The series of eight concerts offer a range of musical genres and cultural influences.
“Music is the most international language,” Dr Gretton says.
“I think it’s part and parcel of being a musician, that you have music from all over the world.
“You couldn’t get much more local than Hannah-Grace. Last week was more traditional, an all-German program, and next week is all French.”
Later this month mezzo-soprano Larissa Burak will perform a selection of Ukrainian classical music, offering a unique insight into the cultural history of the besieged nation.
“At the moment, there’s a huge demand for the much more traditional Ukrainian pieces and on that traditional instrument, the bandura (stringed instrument), which she plays, which is just absolutely mind-blowing,” Dr Gretton says.
“It’s so beautiful. It’s a whole new sound world and you just get immersed in it.”
The Riverina Live at Lunch sessions will take place every Thursday until 30 June at various venues and is live-streamed through the RCM website. For a schedule and more information visit the Riverina Conservatorium of Music website.
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