Remembering Doug: A Tribute to Doug Kelly

This concert highlights original pieces and arrangements by the Christchurch-based composer, arranger and trumpeter Doug Kelly (1922-2023): the last surviving member of the World War II Royal New Zealand Air Force Band and a loyal and valued member of Risingholme Orchestra for 30 years.

Many of Doug’s compositions represent musical depictions of well-known Christchurch locales; and this concert includes his short orchestral study, Ilam Fields, as well as Three Portraits, dedicated to family members.

Doug’s arrangements in this afternoon’s concert, which demonstrate his eclectic musical tastes, comprise Bach’s Air on the G String and Hammerstein and Kern’s All the Things You Are; and the concert concludes with his Duke Ellington Medley: a tribute to the great American jazz pianist, composer and founder of his own jazz orchestra.

The other programmed works are Weber’s Bassoon Concerto with featured soloist Sam Brough (Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra), and popular pieces by Khachaturian (Spartacus Ballet Suite No. 2) and Mascagni (“Intermezzo” from Cavalleria Rusticana).

Two short pieces by Martini (Plaisir d’amour) and Saint-Saëns (“The Elephant” from The Carnival of the Animals) bring back soloist Sam Brough, this time demonstrating his talents on the bassoon’s older brother: the contrabassoon.