A CELEBRATION OF CHORAL SINGING WITH THE BUNBURY MEN OF SONG

The Bunbury Men of Song 

 An unseasonal cool Monday night is rarely regarded as an appealing time for stepping out but on Monday night, 7th July, it took more than chilly temperatures to stop the music lovers from Esk and surrounds pouring into the Somerset Civic Centre when Western Australia's Bunbury Men of Song, en route to the Pemulwuy National Male Voice Festival in Brisbane, came to town for a collaboration of Choral sounds with the Esk Community Choir.

Sustained with a sumptuous pre-concert meal provided by the Choir ladies from Esk, the 38 member Bunbury Choir, under the outstanding direction of Conductor, Ian Mills and brilliant talents of Accompanist, Greg Ross, did not, as they suggested, have to "sing for their supper" but sing they did for the sheer joy of it. With a vast repertoire of mellifluous harmonies amid commissioned songs by Australian Composer, Paul Jarman, some familiar pieces by Lennon and McCartney, Leonard Cohen and others, their two brackets of songs spoke of the essence and enjoyment that Choral singing is all about.  Their heartfelt rendition of Men of Song was a true reflection of the delight and fellowship that being a member of this exceptional Male Choir can bring.

What a Wonderful World was the theme of the evening and from the looks on the faces of Concert goers, many fortified by a glass of wine upon arrival in the Civic Centre's Joan Burke Room, it truly was a time for celebration.  This Concert, coming hot on the heel of the Esk Touring Choir's return from their overseas odyssey was a testament to the motivation, patience and inspired direction of Alexis FitzGerald and Accompanist extraordinaire, Margaret Philp, both of whom possess talents that know no bounds.  

The Semitones

The sensational little Semitones again set the bar with their opening Anthem followed by their rollickin

g rendition of "On With the Show" after which the members of the Esk Community Choir did just that as they took to the choir risers with their own brackets of sublime singing. The Esk Men, perhaps uplifted by the sounds of the Bunbury Men, were superlative with their performance of Lloyd Webber's 'Til I Hear You Sing.   

The Concert climax, the collaboration of the massed voices for the final two numbers, What a Wonderful World and A Canon of Praise was engaging for Choristers and audience members alike, allowing all who were present to be a part of something quite remarkable in Choral singing.

The Bunbury Men of Song , under the baton of Ian Mills

If this performance has whetted your appetites for more, set aside September 6th at the Somerset Civic Centre for "Cocktails and Classics.  So, glam up for an evening of charm and grace with the Esk Community Choir and Davonski Concert Orchestra! 

By: Susan Walker

More details forthcoming.