Bryony Dwyer – soprano with a surprise

Bryony Dwyer joins us again as our soprano soloist for Messiah.

Bryony has been busy since her last concert with us, winning the prestigious 2011 Sydney Eisteddfod’s Opera and Arts Support Group Vocal Scholarship.

She has also performed the role of Emmeline in Purcell’s King Arthur and Sandrina in Mozart’s La Finta Giardiniera for the Sydney Conservatorium and The Fox in Janaček’s The Cunning Little Vixen for Sydney Chamber Opera.

We can also look forward to seeing her in the Opera Australia Chorus in the New Year in performances of Turandot and the lavish performance of La Traviata on the new floating stage at the Domain.

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We know she is a fabulous singer with a great career ahead of her, so why did Able Seaman Bryony Dwyer join the Navy?

There are no seafaring connections in her family – they are in the medical world – but when a friend told her there was an opening in the Royal Australian Navy Band she jumped at the chance.

As a reserve member of the RAN Band, Bryony can be sent to sea (as a musician) – she has had a couple of last minute cancellations, and sounds a little disappointed to have missed out.

Her work with the Royal Australian Navy Band is mainly ceremonial, performing for occasions of remembrance or for visiting dignitaries.  She flies off on short trips around Australia and overseas, including singing the Australian National Anthem at the Dawn Service and the Lone Pine Service on ANZAC Day at Gallipoli in 2010.  And what does she sing?  “A lot of national anthems, not just our own”.

Her next career goal is to gain experience from singing in Europe.  She is aiming for Germany or Austria, which both welcome Australian opera singers and are countries that she loves.  She is currently saving hard to launch this next step in her career.  We wish her well, but with mixed feelings, hoping that she can continue to perform with us for many more concerts yet before she sails away.

We are pleased to welcome back Bryony Dwyer as soprano soloist for our December performance of Messiah.

Handel’s Messiah, Cardinal Cerretti Chapel, Manly

7:30pm Saturday December 3rd  Click here for Saturday Tickets

4:00pm Sunday December 4th Click here for Sunday Tickets
or call Naomi 9953 2443

Messiah 2011 concert flyer – How to get to Cardinal Cerretti Chapel – Soloists

Emma Moore – onwards and upwards

We are delighted – but not surprised – to hear that Emma Moore has won the IFAC Australian Singing Competition’s prestigious Marianne Mathy Scholarship for 2011.  Emma has sung soprano solos with the Choir over the past few years, and it has been a delight to work with her, both professionally and personally.

The Scholarship enables Emma to continue her studies overseas, following a two year course in Berlin on which she is about to embark.

We offer Emma our congratulations and best wishes, tinged with not a little regret that her superb voice will not be gracing the Cardinal Cerretti Chapel at least for a little while.

Our popular quartet for Handel’s Messiah

We welcome back our popular quartet of soloists for our December performance of  Handel’s Messiah.

Bryony Dwyer (Soprano), Anna Yun (Mezzo-Soprano), Pascal Herington (Tenor) and Alexander Knight (Bass) first sang with us for our performance of Beethoven’s 9th and Ode to Joy.  They performed together again earlier this year in our Mozart Requiem concert.  We know they are individually very talented and their voices complement each other so well.

We are all looking forward to a great concert.

Welcome our major sponsor – Dee Why RSL

We warmly welcome our new major sponsor.

Dee Why RSL Club provides members & visitors with great facilities, outstanding entertainment, a range of vibrant bars & dining options along with fun filled social activities. The club is very proud of its commitment to the community, providing ongoing support to over 100 local organisations annually! With the support of its members and the community it was honoured with the ‘Club of the Year’ award in 2008, 2010 & again in 2011.

The choir has had a long association with Dee Why RSL and the club used to be the venue for our weekly rehearsals.  Many choir members and friends are also members of the RSL and we would urge you all to make good use of its excellent facilities.