Cooroy will celebrate the generosity of one of its most talented musicians with a free community concert on 10 March.
The concert, which will be held in the Cooroy Memorial Hall, will honour the late David Ballinger, who donated his beloved grand piano to the Cooroy community. Noted musicians, including violinist Shenton Gregory, Janet Brewer of the Pacific Chamber Players, singer Emma Tomlinson, pianist Isobel Cumpston and the Three Clefs will perform in honour of the man whose legacy of music will live on in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
David’s partner, Michael Dransfield, said David had always been a generous man. “He gave freely of his creative talents throughout his life, sharing his musical gifts and his love of art and beauty in its many forms with his family and his friends,” Mr Dransfield said
David, an accomplished pianist, had wished to pass on his love of music and give something beautiful back to his local community.
Born in Birmingham to Thomas and Margaret in 1932, David quickly showed his aptitude for music winning a radio talent quest at the age of six and, at the age of 10 won a scholarship to Birmingham’s Aston Grammar School for Boys where he played the piano for many ceremonies, concerts and plays.
In his late teens, David developed an interest in theatre and costume design. He studied at the Birmingham Art and Design College emigrating to Australia in 1953. He settled in Sydney, where he worked in successful design and fashion businesses while performing as an accompanist to many well-known musicians and singers, including June Bronhill and Ray Jones.
The Petrof piano David has gifted to the Cooroy Memorial Hall originally belonged to the Dunbar family from Camden in New South Wales and was shipped to Australia from England in 1914.David moved to Cooroy 26 years ago and was 86 when he died last November.Tickets to the free concert, which will be held at 3pm on 10 March, are available from Eventbrite.
For more information phone Pamela Sweetapple on 0412 745 106.
