Singers Festival, Daylesford. 2011

This glorious Festival has been coming around for the last 20 years, and this year was the 21st. Yay!


About twenty of us from Two Bays went to Daylesford, some for the umpteenth time and others (yours truly) for the first time. Considering that there were rising waters all around Daylesford, many folk took rather circuitous and imaginative routes to get there. The early birds who were travelling from Woodend had only passable water over the road to contend with. The Daylesford Lake spillway was flowing very fast and the Blowhole close to Hepburn on the road to Newstead was B***** Spectacular. Even the viewing platform was inundated and the decking lodged on the bank some way down-stream.

The water spouts 20 metres into the river between viewing platforms

It's not so surprising that Sea Shanties were the topic of one workshop given by a favourite singer, Danny Spooner. In the end, we all arrived safely without needing flotation devices.

Sharing dinner, conversation and good wine on Friday night.

The accommodation bears some comment. Those in a cottage discovered a ghost. Those in a motel offered shelter to those with no home for a night. Those in a tent went to a cabin for fear the wind and the deluge would have trees fall on them in the darkness. Those in a van took it all in their stride. On Friday evening, we gathered at Suzy and Irena's cottage for rehearsal, a shared meal and good company. One of the delights of these events is getting to know our fellow singers a little more.

From Geoff: Friday night concert at the Town Hall. I'm enchanted by the cavernous interior, the wrap-around balcony, the vaulted ceiling and oh that sound! What a treat to sing in such a space.The various workshop presenters strut their stuff, and make my decisions on what to learn over the week-end even more difficult. So much talent, experience and enthusiasm to share.

Danny Spooner et al performing a Sea Shanty

The Festival was great fun, with wall to wall workshops, about four concerts, new and familiar music and musicians. Many of us from Two Bays look forward to the Melbourne Millenium Chorus this year after attending workshops by Dani Fry and Stella Savy who will be the Directors for MMC 2011. Bring it on!



  

Dani Fry and Stell Savy. Great Gospel and Soul workshops.

Our part in the Concert of Choirs went pretty well. All the songs are favourites and a couple were recently performed over the Christmas period - Amen Alleluia and One Morning Soon. Waka Nini Yana is a lovely indigenous lullaby written by Lou Bennett.

Geoff again: Saturday night and it's time for Two Bays to hoist its' colours at the Town Hall in front of a very giving audience of fellow Shower Sops and Bathroom Baritones. I think we nailed it...even Sue looked relaxed!

We are sitting together during the Concert of Choirs awaiting our turn.

The weather become finer on Saturday and moving from venue to venue was eaier as the rain receded. The finale was a concert of the songs learned in the workshops, including a great performance from the kids who attended the Kids' Program. What a great idea this is.

Fay White leads her workshoppers in the Finale

The Kids perform their music and special acts

 So ends another Singers Festival. If anyone has other photos that would add to our little blog-world, let me know, send me a copy, and please add comments to make this our place.

Geoff has the final word: I'm deeply moved by the closing ceremony. My sense of community and the power of music is reaffirmed.

Thanks for your lovely company.
Smiles,
Ros and Sue.