Piano & Poetry
​Colin Decio & Ingrid Prosser

Concert Recitals

Classical Piano & Poetry
Our programmes are mixtures of piano music from the Baroque, Classical & Romantic periods, & the 20th & 21st centuries (including Colin’s own compositions), intertwined with poetry from Ancient Greece & Rome, the Elizabethans, the 19th & 20th centuries,
​and new poems by Ingrid.
(Repertoire lists - Ingrid, Colin) 

​      -Piano & Poetry Facebook page  ​
​
​"It was a privilege to have Colin Decio and Ingrid Prosser at Old St Paul’s recently. Ingrid’s beautiful interpretation of both her own and a range of other person’s poetry was a delight.  Having it interspersed with Colin’s superb mastery on the Old St Paul’s heritage grand piano ensured a most enjoyable lunchtime concert that was appreciated by all who attended."
​- Marie Gillies, Friends of Old St. Paul's, Wellington 

Recital programmes:

  • 90 mins ​​​(with interval)
        Sample programmes
  • 75 mins (without interval)
  • 60 mins (without interval) ​​
  • Lunchtime 30 - 45 mins ​
​​        Sample programmes
​
​"Thank you for such a very pleasant afternoon.   We enjoyed having you, with good feedback from the audience."
​- Christine Soulsby, Wanganui Music Society​
"The programme (of poetry and music) was conceived in a very cohesive manner."
- Committee member, Wanganui Music Society
Repertoire links: Ingrid, Colin
"Colin and Ingrid recently performed a Piano and Poetry concert in the Hutt City Lunchtime Concert Series. Their programme was a delightful mix of very appealing piano music, including standard repertoire and Colin’s own compositions, interspersed with Ingrid’s vibrant poetry, beautifully spoken. The concert was well received and very much appreciated by our regular audience. We look forward to having Colin and Ingrid perform in the series again in the future."

- Victoria Jaenecke, Hutt City Lunchtime Concerts co-ordinator.

Recitals for
Retirement Villages
​& Care Homes

60 minute programmes of specially chosen classical piano music, poetry, musical history & lighter piano music 
Click here to see Sample Programmes I - III
​
"Gosh, they are good, aren't they?"
Audience member at Ropata Lodge,
Lower Hutt
​
"We really appreciate you entertaining us here at Parkwood, you both are very popular with the residents and staff." 
Sandy (DT) at The Lodge,
​Parkwood Retirement Village, Waikanae
​
"You take us on such journeys."
Audience member at Stokeswood,
Stokes Valley

‘I loved that – it was top-hole!’
Audience member at Woburn Home, Lower Hutt (on hearing Ingrid sing At the Summer Solstice, her new song to the tune of The Twelve Days of Christmas).

"Wonderful"
(on hearing Colin play
​Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata)

"Terrific"
(on hearing one of Ingrid's poems)

"Fantastic"
(after Colin's performance of a Haydn sonata)
- various audience members
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Piano & Poetry samples
“Colin and Ingrid have been sharing their talents with our residents for some years now. It is amazing to have performers of this quality. The blend of classical piano with poetry and prose provides a lovely experience for our elders, especially, but not limited to those who appreciate more classical creative forms.
 The recently produced DVDs are a close second to live performances and have been both calming and enjoyable for all”.

- Stephanie Blossom,
Recreation Team Leader,
​Enliven Woburn Home, Lower Hutt

Piano & Poetry
​DVDs

​Our first three 60 minute programmes are now available on DVD – filmed in St Andrew’s on the Terrace in Wellington in 2020 with funding from Creative New Zealand. Each programme (in which Colin plays a Steinway grand piano), is presented as we usually perform our care home and retirement village concerts, with piano music interspersed with poetry and talks about composers. Multiple cameras provide close-ups of the pianist’s hands, and different angles from which to view the performers. 
​
View the promo on Youtube
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Piano & Poetry Promotional Video 2:48
Colin & Ingrid have performed 230 concerts in care homes & retirement villages since late 2016, mostly in the Wellington region. While in lockdown in March 2020, with all performances cancelled, we devised our filming project so that we would still have an avenue to reach our aged-care facility audiences – and others around the country – should further lockdowns occur. Of course, they can also be viewed at any time!
DVD 1  (54 mins) $30 
Programme 1
A mixture of classical and lighter piano music, interspersed with poetry, and with details of the lives of some of the composers.

DVD 2 (60 + 56 mins) $50
Programmes 2 & 3 
The music begins in the Renaissance and finishes in the 21st century, with music composed by Colin. The poetry includes well-known classics and lesser-known poems.

REDUCED PRICE WHEN PURCHASING BOTH DVDs TOGETHER
$65 

The $35 price for DVD 2 also applies for a subsequent purchase of DVD 2
following a previous purchase of DVD 1

Please add postage -
$5.90 for one or two DVDs
$8 for four
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Colin Decio - piano
Picture
Ingrid Prosser - poetry
      ​"Fleeting fingers that fly across the keyboard to descry
      music that can make you cry" - Chris Ashley​​
                                          Decio Piano Sonata No.4
"To listen to Ingrid's poetical interpretations
is to be inspired" - Chris Ashley ​
"Picture painting with words and story-telling
at its very best'"​- Dianne Smith
    "Interspersing the poetry          with the music made                everything stand out
​    more sharply'"
    - audience member
"Dramatic music counterbalanced by classic verse. Colin & Ingrid work well together. A most enjoyable concert" -  Dianne Smith
"Great concert today.
​Really enjoy listening to
​your poetry and Colin's brilliant piano playing"
- Richard Huelin
Shall I compare thee? By Shakespeare

​Programmes for Schools
​

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Peter & the Wolf​
​(for piano and narrator)
 by Sergei Prokofiev

​for Primary and Intermediate schools
Duration approx. 40 mins
"Seeing someone play the piano like Colin does is enthralling, and something many children don't get to experience. The show is definitely appropriate for the entire school."
​- Julie Hanify, teacher at Ridgway School, Wellington
Please Contact me for bookings and fees
© 2021 Ingrid Prosser. All rights reserved.