Justin parties with carols crowd
THE average 20 year-old would probably rather share his birthday with a few mates, but Warwick’s Justin Alley will share it with an anticipated audience of more than 2500 as part of Warwick’s Carols in the Park this Sunday evening.
Justin, who is currently studying a Bachelor of Music at Brisbane’s QUT, will line up to play bass guitar as part of the backing band supporting a talented cast of local performers.
He has plenty to celebrate as he rounds out 2010, having recently become engaged to his long-time girlfriend, Christene McPhee.
Justin won’t be the only Alley member on the stage on Sunday night, and there was another before him, with dad Colin, the former bass player and musical director of the Carols event.
Justin’s sister Caitlin is poised to wow the audience with her beautiful renditions of O Holy Night, Angels We Have Heard On High, The First Noel and Silent Night.
From Caitlin’s first appearance as a shy teenager some years ago, she has grown to be a Carols audience favourite.
She has a Bachelor of Creative Arts with a double music major, which other cast members note gives her incredible strength of voice and technical expertise.
One could say that music definitely runs in the Alley family. Even younger brother Tim is developing his talent and is an up and coming bass guitar player.
A joke with mum Yolande on whether she plays the tambourine reveals that she can hold her own on the mixing desk for any band the family may be part of. But mostly, she is a huge fan who just loves what her kids do.
Other new kids on the block for this year’s Carols include Allora’s Katie Dennis and winners of the 2010 Warwick High School Talent Quest, “The Late Arrivals”.
Lead vocalist Brad Davies got his first shot at Carols in 2009 as part of “Tailored Duo” but is looking forward to a bigger sound this year with his band.
For more information on Carols in the Park, contact organiser Tracy Vellacott on 4661 0300.
