KATE BALLANTYNE is one of four Hunter musicians joining ORCHESTRA NOVA in two performances celebrating country music across the region.
A COUNTRY FEAST will be held on March 26 at Newcastle City Hall and April 8 at Belmont 16ft Sailing Club.
The performances are the first concerts for ORCHESTRA NOVA in 2000.
Well-known country artists MITCHELL SHADLOW, LYN BOWTELL and CAROL DONOVAN will join Orchestra Nova in the performances.
The orchestra will perform excerpts from Grand Canyon Suite as well as Swagman's Holidays and other popular Aussie tunes, conducted by John Kellaway.
The four Hunter artists will show the depth of talent in the region and help demonstrate the versatility of the Hunter's only community 50-piece symphony orchestra.
The artists have built up a name for themselves having performed across NSW.
BALLANTYNE has been performing professionally for 15 years and won the Toyota Star Maker award in 1999, as well as being nominated for a Golden Guitar award.
SHADLOW, who was born and raised in Singleton, secured a coveted Victorian Country Music Award for best male vocalist at the Kyneton awards in 1997 and 1998.
BOWTELL, known for her awesome voice and musicianship, won the 1997 Toyota Star Maker Quest and has released her latest album Hearts in the Country.
Finally, 2000 Toyota Star Maker grand finalist CAROL DONOVAN will add her vocal capacity to the performance.
Orchestra Nova is the only symphony orchestra that performs on a regular basis in the Hunter, and works closely with the arts community.
Most of the artists involved in the orchestra are also from the area.
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