All roads will lead to the Blayney Community Centre, Adelaide St, Blayney on Sunday 12 November when choir singers from across the region will gather for a choral workshop and public concert.
Canberra-based vocal group Luminescence are presenting a free workshop from 12.30 – 1.30pm which is open to all interested local singers. For further details – contact bathurstpanorama@yahoo.com.au
A public concert will be held at 2pm and feature Bathurst Panorama Chorus, Eclectica Choir, Cantar and Orange Male Voice Choir with a special guest appearance by Luminescence. Concert entry is free. Refreshments will also be available.
Come and enjoy a smorgasbord of choral singing, celebrating the power of music and community in the Central West. This event is generously supported by Arts OutWest.
Free event.
About the performers:
Bathurst Panorama Chorus
Bathurst Panorama Chorus is a women’s a cappella group, in the barbershop style and are part of Sweet Adelines International. Current repertoire includes contemporary ballads and pop songs as well as Australian music, Christmas music, American standards and popular show tunes, The chorus was formed in 1989 and currently has around 20 members. It is an auditioned chorus who perform regularly in our local community and have also had success in Sweet Adelines competitions nationally and internationally. Our MD is Debra Griffiths.
Cantar
Cantar, Spanish for “to sing”, is what we love to do! Cantar are an all-female community choir, based in Orange, with membership going back more than 20 years. The choir is non-auditioned – the only requirements being a good ear, a love of singing, and enjoy a good chat during rehearsal break! We find great joy and friendship through making music together, and cover a wide variety of repertoire including folk, pop, classical and Broadway styles, both accompanied and a cappella. Our MD at the helm is the energetic Gabe Rae, and Dee Nicholls is our much-loved accompanist.
Orange Male Voice Choir
The Orange Male Voice Choir has a proud 97-year history of bringing song to Orange, the Central West and beyond. Conducted by Philip Rees and accompanied by Rachael Brooking, we perform a wide variety of songs from modern Australian pieces through popular music and musicals to Welsh hymns and opera choruses, in two tenor parts and two bass parts. Recent highlights have been performing with Eric Bogle and his band in Orange and Bathurst under the direction of our patron and renowned choral composer, Paul Jarman. Whether singing in a community hall or at a major choral festival, we continue to strive to deliver musical excellence, entertainment and passion with every performance.
Eclectica
Ecelctica, established in 2010 as Sounds Live Choir, is a predominantly acapella, Bathurst-based choir covering many styles, including songs from around the world, soul, pop, folk and early music. We accept anyone interested into the choir, with no requirement to be able to read music or to audition. Highlight performances have included the National Folk Festival in Canberra, Inland Sea of Sound Festival, Kiama Choral Festival and Cementa. Eclectica has collaborated with many musicians in Australia and with guests visiting internationally from South Africa and Wales.
luminescence chamber singers drawing breath
Following a successful 2022 tour with Omega Ensemble, Music in the Regions will return to NSW’s Central West and Orana regions, featuring Luminescence Chamber Singers. A six-piece ensemble, Luminescence champions the unbound expressive potential of our original instrument – the human voice.
Since 2015, Luminescence has performed extensively in Canberra and the surrounding regions, presenting an annual concert program as well as appearing for a range of festivals, collaborations and special events. Performance highlights have included appearances at the Sydney Opera House (2023), the National Museum of Australia (2022), and the National Gallery of Australia (2023), as well as appearances for the Enlighten Festival (2018), Four Winds Festival (Bermagui, 2019; 2020; 2022), and the Bowral Autumn Music Festival (2023). Since 2017, Luminescence has appeared annually at the Canberra International Music Festival, working closely with long-time collaborator and mentor Roland Peelman, and performing in more than 20 festival programs alongside many of Australia’s finest musicians. Recent accolades have included a 2022 Canberra Critic’s Circle Award for Ave Regina: God Be With The Mother, a 2022 CAPO Award, and a 2022 ABC Classic FM Commission. In May, Luminescence premiered Pictures at an ExHERbition – a collaboration with composer/pianist Sally Whitwell and the National Gallery of Australia. Recently released recordings of new music by Whitwell, sung by Luminescence, are now included in a number of NGA audio-guides.
In Drawing Breath Luminescence Chamber Singers explore first breaths, last breaths, and music as diverse as the vast compass of human life and feeling in between: from Machaut and Gesualdo, to Pink Floyd, and newly commissioned works by Australian composers Brenda Gifford, Connor D’Netto, and Dan Walker.
IMAGE: Panorama Chorus