We stayed in various hotels near Federation Square, since this was the hub of the organisation for the Festival. Of course, it's also the centre for lots of community activities which were a bonus for us as we went between venues.
On Friday and Saturday nights, Jonathon Welch and members of The Choir lead songs around the Campfire which burned on a bed of red sand for the entire weekend at Fed Square as part of the Light in Winter Festival. That was a great start to the proceedings and afterwards, some went on to dinner, others retired to modest but companionable take-home meals and an early night.
Each morning for the three days (Saturday to Monday), there were three workshops in which we worked with three different conductors to learn songs for the massed choirs concert in the Edge on Monday afternoon. Clearly, the magic number is three.
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| A workshop with George Torbay |
Lunches were our own choice and that was easy with so many places nearby at Fed Square, Southbank and the Gallery. One little group chose to eat at the National Gallery cafe with the Exhibition of Choirs to follow nearby in the Great Hall.
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| A few of us had lunch at the NGV Cafe |
What a lovely experience, singing in the Great Hall beneath that ceiling of beautiful colours. There were Master Classes, another Campfire Singalong, and then a special performance of "Moon" for Festival participants. "Moon" was written and conducted by Gordon Hamilton, and performed by The Australian Voices who are so talented and skilled in their performance of this extraordinary and complex work. The public performance followed in the evening.
Master Classes cover particular topics and were conducted by some of the special people present - Jonathon Welch, George Torbay, Gordon Hamilton, and Lucinda Sharp.
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| Master Class in the Elizabeth Murdoch Hall with Lucinda and Jonathon. |
Later we were in a concert at the Recital Centre Elizabeth Murdoch Hall which was quite splendiferous!! We could have whispered the songs and still been heard, such are the acoustic qualities of this fascinating performance space. It was very exciting to be back stage, and all our rehearsals at home in the Senior Cits Club paid handsomely for entry, positioning and exit.
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| Back stage, we watched the following acts on CCTV |
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| Jonathon and George catch up over a cuppa at the Recital Centre |
A little glass of champagne was pleasant at interval, and then the concert continued. A group went to dinner at Bok Choi that evening - great service, wonderful food, good company.
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| At Bok Choi, Fed Square - cop that pork bun! |
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| Jonathon Welch discusses the concert with David Kram. |
Davis Kram conducted us in a mighty rendition of the Anvil Chorus complete with frying pans instead of anvils. We sang "Ice Blue" written by Gordon Hamilton for this occasion, and another song called "Lux Auruque" which is very beautiful, especially under the direction of George Torbay. This song is also remarkable in its conception; written by Eric Whittaker for a virtual choir. You can see and hear it on YouTube by following this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7o7BrlbaDs&feature=related It's quite haunting, this 'Light and Gold' so do have a listen.
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| Massed choirs in rehearsal at the Edge. |
Of course, there were a great many thank you speeches, and plenty of high jinks. A glorious moment was when the Sunbury Divas arranged all our conductors and Adam (our consummate accompanist) for a photo wearing their tiaras!
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| Adam, David, Jonathon, George, Gordon in borrowed finery |
The Concert went well and we managed our workshop songs and completed the concert with one song from each of the participating choirs. It was indeed a Long Weekend, and very happy one.
Yours as ever,
Ros.
Yours as ever,
Ros.
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