It was a glorious day for our 40th Anniversary Gala Concert on Sunday last.  No worries about audience members queuing up in the rain for the doors to open, and no doubts that we would be able to serve refreshments on the terrace after the concert.

The concert itself must class as one our the best in recent years.  Gregory Kinda’s playing of Beethoven’s 4th Piano Concerto was both masterful and inspired, with the orchestra knowing exactly when to take charge and when to leave him in the lead.  His astonishing encore, Chopin’s huge Scherzo No 2 was a veritable tour de force.

Then came the Mozart C Mass in C minor.  It was time for all our energies and effort spent in rehearsal to come to the fore.  And it did.  No glitches, louds and softs in the right places, choir matching Carlos’ tempi (well, most of the time), and soloists who were absolutely transcendentant.  For the Choir, there was new experience of singing at times as two separate choirs.  It was a challenge both strategically and musically, and we rose to the occasion..

It was evident over drinks and nibbles afterwards in the setting sun that everyone, audience, soloists, orchestra and choir alike, had just taken part in an experience which would stay with them for some time to come.

A very fitting way to celebrate 40 years!

More photos are available for viewing by courtesy of Michael Mannington at volunteerphotography.org/40th-anniversary-concert

The Choir’s 40th Anniversary Dinner was held on May 27th in the most attractive Lounge of Dee Why RSL.  An excellent meal was accompanied by stories of the past forty years, told by our President, Roger Pratt, and by the one Choir member who can claim forty years continuous service, May Mackenzie.  She modelled the original ladies’outfit of a green dress, and John Moore joined in with an original men’s green bow tie.

After dinner, Carlos entertained us to some songs with his own guitar accompaniment.  He sang very sensitively, putting into action his instructions to us in the Choir on Thursday evenings to sing the sense of the words, not just the notes.

There was plenty of time to circulate and a good time was had by all.  Many thanks to everyone who helped to make for a most enjoyable evening, especially to Judy Williams who masterminded the event.

Here’s to the next forty years!

The weekend of May 23/4 saw St John’s Dee Why second Festival of Sacred and Classical Music.  On Sunday afternoon they held a “Come and Sing” Messiah, which a number of M W Choir members attended.  Two hours of vigorous rehearsal led by the Church’s Director of Music Tom Edwards was followed by the usual sumptuous afternoon tea.  Then we sang a to a modest but appreciative audience – several key choruses interspersed with some of the soprano solos.

Also taking part were Michael Wille (Bass) with his wife Lynne and daughter Danielle, and Robyn Blainey, who took this post-afternoon-tea photo.

Noteworthy Issue 11 is published today.  Read about the Choir’s first forty years, about singing in an Australian premiere at the Sydney Conservatorium, about our most recent concert, and other items of Choir and musical interest.

Click here for your copy.

A last-minute decision whilst sitting up in bed having our morning cup of tea last Saturday, saw Anne and me at the Opera House that afternoon for a Concert for Peace, performed by the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs.  The program included pieces by Arvo Part, Eric Whitacre, Morten Laurisden and, for me most importantly, the Five Negro Spirituals from Michael Tippet’s A Child of our Time, and Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man.  It was a great program, and the music was performed competently and sensitively.  The last two pieces were especially moving.

Among the audience were a number of MWC members and spouses:  I spotted Naomi Roseth, Judy Williams, Jane Cameron, Cindy and Harvey Broadbent, Julie and Roger Dawson and Anne Scollen.  Maybe there were others there too.  Almost enough of us set up a separate choir within the audience!