Dear fellow Choristers, Life Members and Alumni, it is always a pleasure to see, sing and speak with you,
Concerts in Review
Tudor Portraits: Our latest concert was an inspired program of music from maestro Brett Weymark which struggled to achieve box office targets. Artistically it was a strong achievement, leaving many singers with Eleanor Rumming ‘ear worms’ in ensuing weeks. Peter McCallum placed the concert among his top selections in the week, and Clive Paget, a Skelton fan at heart, was enchanted “the men, in particular, showed an obvious relish for the bawdy bits”…. Read the reviews at Limelight Review http://www.limelightmagazine.com.au/live-reviews/review-tudor-portraits-sydney-philharmonia-choirs McCallum's top picks http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/new-world-memories-enchants-with-dense-orchestral-textures-20170828-gy5i3u.html
Next up: Nordic Songs shows this weekend in the Crypt of St Mary’s Cathedral, an intimate performance space with beautiful acoustics. Stunning works from composers including Ešenvalds, Pärt and Gjeilo, it’s not-to-be-missed. We’ve already hit box office targets, so all up-side will help buffer the losses from Tudor Portraits. There are still seats available, 8pm Saturday and 12pm Sunday and you can find further information and tickets here. http://www.sydneyphilharmonia.com.au/nordic-songs?r=B0F601DA3A9097BE563CF5DC9D2669A1
In preparation: All our choirs are in production - Songs of Farewell (Chamber) showing on the 11th and 12th of November, Dream of Gerontius (Festival Chorus and Symphony Chorus) on the 19^th and 21^st October and SSO’s Belshazzar’s Feast (Chamber, Symphony Chorus and VOX) in preparation for November. In addition to the Feast, an SSO co-commission, composed by Péter Eötvös will be presented by Chamber Singers and VOX. This is an extremely demanding new work, “one of the most challenging works we have ever tackled” says Brett.
Other News:
Marriage Equality
The Board recently approved a statement on behalf of the Company (not individual members), which I share with you first here. We will be placing the statement in social media and making a press release in coming days.
Sydney Philharmonia Choirs wholeheartedly supports Marriage Equality. Our Company embraces diversity and is passionate about sharing the joy of singing with all Australians, regardless of their age, gender, race, cultural background, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, or physical or intellectual disabilities. Art itself does not discriminate. We value inclusiveness and human connections. We actively create and support this environment. We encourage our singers and supporters, and all Australians, to have their say in the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey. In solidarity with the many members of the LGBTIQ community (including our performance partners the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir) we hope that the result will be a resounding ‘Yes’ and marriage equality will be achieved for all Australians.
Recognising the contribution of Festival Chorus: At the General Rehearsal dated October 17^th, we will be recognising Festival Choristers who have performed in the chorus every year since inception in 2007. It’s a very exciting milestone in our Company’s history. I look forward to seeing you there.
Re-auditions of the ‘high voices’: Soprano and Tenor choristers are to be congratulated on their recent (continuing) re-auditions. Thanks to Brett, Liz, our vocal coach Lynne Murray, Choirs Manager Eva and our delightful repetiteurs Cathy, Estella, Ingrid, Antonio and Anthony for their support through the process.
Constitution Review: The Board’s Governance Committee will shortly start work with our Pro-Bono legal partners Baker & McKenzie, on modernising and clarifying aspects of our Constitution. Company Members consider any proposed changes, and vote on their acceptance or otherwise, usually at an AGM. In the next Newsletter, we’ll share some information about the approach to preparation and consultation.
History Group: Larry Turner, who has recently ‘retired’ from looking after our archives, now has a little more space (among other volunteer activities) to ramp-up activity related to the writing of the History of the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, which will result in publication of a book. Larry’s team includes Life Members Neil Nicoll and Louise Herrington, who we thank for their ongoing commitment to documenting our journey.
Practical aid to refugees: In the last newsletter I told you about Symphony Chorister Lindsay Paget-Cooke’s involvement with a charity assisting asylum seekers. Thanks to those who got in touch for further details, and here is the link https://www.stfrancis.org.au/house-of-welcome promised last time.
Where’s Brett? Our man-about-town Music Director will be artfully juggling, in addition to his Sydney Philharmonia commitments, work on a production of Handel’s ‘Esther’ presented by Handel in the Theatre (Canberra), with the SHEP Festival in Brisbane, holding choral workshops in Tasmania. Later in the year he’ll be working with the NZ Symphony Orchestra on their production of Handel’s Messiah.
SPC Brand Refresh: The project mentioned in the last newsletter is on-track. Brand concepts have been finalised and the design elements are being presented next week. The goal is still to be ready for our 2018 season launch in early December.
Christmas Party on Friday 1st December: Please diarise the 2017 party early – we’re holding it on a Friday night so it feels a bit more ‘party’. Make it first on your seasonal party list, as it will be our last in the current rehearsal rooms…we think!
Yours, in the Joy of Singing
Jacqui Wilkins
President
0402 893 762
