Last night, Shirley and I had the privilege and pleasure of attending the concert “An Evening with Phillip Rhodes and Friends.”Phillip, as I am sure many of you will know, is one of the brightest up and coming stars in the New Zealand Opera World. A Baritone – Phillip is the most recent winner of the Lexus Song Competition – formerly the Mobil Song Competition.
And what a great night it was. The whole idea of the concert was to raise funds to assist Phillip in his career. He has just been accepted into one of the most prestigious singing schools in the world in Cardiff and we all know what sort of money that will cost. In fact if there are any music lovers out there who have a few spare bob and would like to help Phillip Rhodes – I would be happy to receive funds on his behalf.
Not only is Phillip Rhodes becoming a highly accomplished singer – he is a wonderful example to all our young people of how you can triumph over adversity.
Phillip comes from a very difficult family background and went through a series of foster homes. It would have been just so easy for him to become another gang member – another druggie – another crime statistic. But then his luck changed.
He was taken in by that amazing couple Pam and Henare O’Keefe – a couple that Hawkes Bay owes a tremendous debt of gratitude. And they saw the wonderful acting talent in Phillip and later his singing talent and they gently nudged him in the right direction so that his talent could be recognised and utilised.
And now this fine young man is about to head off to Wales for further training and then – I have no doubt – to the Opera Houses of the world.
We are constantly bombarded with stories about how our young people are useless – don’t work hard – always take the easy way out – and yet here in Phillip Rhodes – we have a young man who epitomises those who can overcome a rough start – who can work hard to develop precious talent and who is prepared to undertake more hard work to further hone his skills.
So if you would like to help New Zealand’s next opera star on his way – feel free to drop a cheque in to Somerset Smith Partners in Napier.
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