Sydney’s newest choir has celebrated its public debut
with an exhilarating performance marking the 161st anniversary
of historic St Peter’s Presbyterian Church, North
Sydney.
Cantorion Sydney - a male voice choir in the Welsh
tradition - entertained a packed congregation with
a program of sacred songs, hymns and folk songs from Italy,
Germany, Scotland, Russia and Wales last Sunday 26 June.
The 90-minute concert, which raised funds for St Peter’s
Heritage Restoration Fund, also featured organist Margaret
Hall, pianist Greg Cunningham and trumpet player Carl Harvoe.
The choir, guided by Welsh-born music director John Lloyd
and accompanied by accomplished pianist Rachel Harding,
has 24 tenor, baritone and bass singers ranging in age
from 25 to 70-plus. Its repertoire from countries around
the world also includes works from England, Ireland and
Spain.
“We are delighted that our first public performance
was received with such enthusiasm,” said John Lloyd,
formerly a senior lecturer in music at UTS. “We are
very fortunate that we are able to practise at St Peter’s
each week in such a beautiful environment with wonderful
acoustics.” Cantorian Sydney choir now aims to strengthen its sound
with more voices.
“
Whether you sing tenor, baritone or bass - and
whether or not you can read music - you’ll
find a welcome at our weekly practice sessions at St
Peter’s each Wednesday night from 7 to 9 p.m.,” said
John Lloyd. “Singers who can hold a tune and have
an appetite for great music are welcome to telephone
me on 9979 5584 or the Secretary on 96272645 for more
information.
“Or just turn up for practice on a Wednesday night
at St Peters, in Blues Point Road 100 metres from North
Sydney Railway Station.”
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Sydney
Welsh Choir (Mixed)
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 The
Sydney Welsh Choir began in 1978 as an extension of the
late Sydney Welsh Rugby Club. Over the years it has grown
into a substantial independent choir of more than fifty
men and women, drawn from all parts of the Sydney area.
Not all choir members were born in Wales; some have Welsh
family links while others simply like being part of a group,
which sings with such evident enjoyment and enthusiasm.
Their concert schedule is demanding with performances most
weekends. The Choir has graced well known venues such as
the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Town Hall. More frequent
engagements take place in churches, retirement villages
and clubs.
The Sydney Welsh Choir is always happy to entertain visitors
or potential new choristers (male and female) at its practice
sessions. These are held most Wednesday evenings at 7.00pm
at the church hall of Concord Baptist Church, Carrington
St, Concord (North Strathfield) just off Concord Rd near
the end of the M4. This is one of the most accessible places
in the Sydney metropolitan area; some choir members come
from the Central Coast, Blue Mts, Campbelltown, Northern
Beaches and Sutherland Shire.
In 2006 the choir will be undertaking its fifth UK tour in 16 years, travelling
via Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Belgium to England and Wales. On our last
tour we sang with such famous choirs as the Vienna Male Chorus, and in such magnificent
venues as Canterbury Cathedral and the Madeleine in Paris. New members will be
eligible for the generous choir discounts applying to such unforgettable tours.
Click
here for events
and
here for our website www.swc.org.au
For information on concerts or membership, please email
me on [email protected] or
phone me on 02 9997 2019.
Clive Woosnam
Choir President
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