Members may not realise that MWC is a member of the Australian National Choral Association (ANCA).  Every two years, ANCA holds Choralfest in one of Australia’s state capitals.  This year’s Choralfest was in Brisbane in early July.

One of ANCA’s leading lights is Dr Debra Shearer-Dirié, who, amongst many other musical activites, conducts the Brisbane Concert Choir.  Pam Lewis, our Librarian, has a sister who is a member of the Brisbane Concert Choir, so it was natural for Pam to arrange a visit to her sister to co-incide with Choralfest 2017.

Pam says that she got a real buzz from Choralfest, similar perhaps to that enjoyed by some of our members in their recently reported overseas experiences.

She explained that Choralfest is a celebration of choral music which brings together some of Australia’s and the world’s finest choirs.  The delegates were choral specialists and composers from schools and universities, both here and international.

The program comprised performances, lectures, seminars and workshops, led by internationally recognised specialists in choral music.

As well as listening to some wonderful performances, Pam was able to take part in the Festival Women’s Choir, performing with other choirs in the closing concert, which was a real delight.

For Pam, the highlights of the weekend were to hear fresh choral music and to see composers in action, also hearing three outstanding young men’s choirs.

With the shared passion and enthusiasm that Pam observed over three days, she is sure that the future of choral singing is in good hands.

Click here to read more about Choralfest 2017.

The next Choralfest will be held in Fremantle in 2019.