The Kelvin Grove Wind Orchestra's annual retreat was always memorable, but no one expected it to involve dinosaurs.
KGWO's conductor, Dale, had announced this year's theme enthusiastically: "We're doing Jurassic Park—music, dinosaurs, adventure!" Excitement rippled through the musicians as they packed instruments, snacks, and sheet music.
Arriving at Isla Nublar—the meticulously themed resort park—felt surreal. Life-sized animatronic dinosaurs loomed among lush tropical foliage. Rehearsals took place under canopies, the sound of John Williams’ famous "Jurassic Park" theme drifting through the air, resonating with the island's eerie authenticity.
Everything seemed perfect until the evening concert. Mid-performance, a tremor shook the stage. Musicians paused, exchanging uneasy glances. Mike, the clarinetist—also an avid reader—joked nervously, "Feels like Crichton's book coming to life."
Then chaos erupted.
Lights flickered; security alarms wailed. From the darkness emerged a sight straight from fiction: a velociraptor, sleek and swift, unmistakably real. Instruments clattered to the ground as KGWO scrambled from the stage.
"Is this real?" flutist Laurel shouted.
"Unfortunately, yes!" Mike replied breathlessly. "Life imitating art in the worst way!"
The orchestra regrouped in the control center, surrounded by blinking monitors and frantic park staff. Among the chaos, conductor Dale's voice steadied everyone. "We rehearsed as a team, we play as a team, and now—we survive as a team."
Channeling Ian Malcolm's warnings from the novel, Mike recited grimly, "Nature finds a way. And right now, it’s finding us."
Quickly huddled around a control-room map glowing dimly under emergency lights, KGWO formed a daring plan: use sound to divert the velociraptors. With nerves fraying, Dale instructed the musicians, her voice steady but urgent. "We need music—loud, powerful, distracting. Speakers everywhere we can find!"
Musicians scattered, sprinting through the shadowy paths of the park, lugging speakers and connecting cables with shaking hands. Within minutes, speakers were strategically positioned, hidden behind foliage and perched atop observation platforms.
Back in the control center, Steve cued the music, fingers trembling slightly as he activated the system. The booming crescendo erupted across the park—a mighty wave of swelling brass, resonant woodwinds weaving melodies of tension, and percussion that thundered like the footsteps of giants.
Instantly, the velociraptors paused, heads swiveling in confusion at the barrage of sound cascading from all directions. Snarls turned to puzzled hisses, their lethal focus disrupted. Dale watched anxiously from the control monitors as the creatures began stalking cautiously toward the nearest speakers, drawn and disoriented by the rich orchestration echoing through the night.
This crucial diversion bought park security precious minutes. Technicians feverishly reset fences and containment measures, restoring order step by meticulous step. Finally, with the last gate locked securely into place, cheers erupted in the control room, relief palpable.
"Music conquers all—even dinosaurs," Mike quipped, exhaling deeply as the last echoes of their orchestral triumph faded into the jungle.
Leaving Isla Nublar, Mike remarked wryly, "Next year's theme should be safer. Maybe Disney?"
Laughter echoed through KGWO as the island faded into the horizon—a weekend none would soon forget, forever bonded by music and adventure.
Join us for more musical adventures on November 30th, 2pm at the Old Museum. Tickets via www.kgwo.org.au or click on the yellow button below. | 
