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| Merry Christmas from the Esk Community Choir |
Wishing you a
Christmas filled with
Joy and Peace
and a Safe and Happy
New Year
As the sun painted
the sky blue on the morning of December 6th, not a storm prophecy was in sight
as people prepared for the 25th running of ESK COMMUNITY CHOIR'S Annual
Christmas Variety Concert. Down at the
Somerset Civic Centre, the abundance of sparkling spheres and overhanging stars
on stage created the magical illusion of a floating twinkling sea, the magic of
Christmas.
Following the warm
welcome by Choir Director Alexis FitzGerald, accompanist Margaret Philp's
resounding opening bars beckoned the Choir as each section made its way down
the centre aisle. In a demonstration of
some of the key elements of Choral singing, choristers came together before the
stage in a sublime harmony of sight and sound.
The Choir Men then gave a powerful rendition of 'Cantate Hodie' ( Sing Today) followed by the entire Choir
again ringing out the stirring Anthem by Simper, 'Make a Joyful Noise', which
is precisely what the Ladies and the entire choir did throughout the first choral bracket, the beautiful piano
accompaniment by Margaret and by Kym Clemence on flute adding another layer of
loveliness to the upbeat, uplifting Christmas Carols.
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| Joshua |
Many of the joys of
Christmas are brought to us by children and this concert had them in
abundance. Nine year old Joshua
FitzGerald's consummate whip cracking skills brought everyone to attention as
he set the scene for 11 talented little cowpokes, 'The Semitones', who strolled
out on stage singing the Eddie Arnold 'Wagon
Wheels'. From 'inside' their Wagon,
masterfully created by the Choir's own Tom Byrne, they put smiles on faces with
some delightful singing of well loved songs from 'Oklahoma'. Equally
passionate about making music were the members of the Esk State School's Junior
and Senior Choirs and School Band all under the watchful eye of Mr Adam Smith
and his skilled accompanist, Andrea Oxenford, all of whom had audience members
tapping and clapping to the beat of their thoroughly enjoyable songs.
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| The Semitones |
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| Eskimo Jazz (Linda and Bob) |
'Eskimo Jazz', a
trio of musicians who have been sharing
the gifts of their talents over a number of years took audience members for a
trip down memory lane with their catchy songs both vocally and
instrumentally...and contagious they were as unsolicited audience participation filled the auditorium to the accompaniment
of their undeniable musical skills.
Kathleen Watts, Sue Walker and Gail Webster were the sassy 'Sisters' who, along with
the 'rhythmic lap slappers
', Nola Niemeyer, Marina Crichton and
Joann Brown , put a little extra into
ordinary with their entertaining twist on this song from Irving Berlin's 'White Christmas'. Lucky winners of raffles, lucky door and
lucky numbers prizes were drawn at interludes throughout the afternoon leaving
Interval for a number of Santa's little helpers to distribute sweets to an
appreciative audience.
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| Gail, Susan & Kathie |
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| Gail, Susan, Kathie, Marina, Joann and Nola - "Sisters" |
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Then along came
'The Bush Bashers'.
This band of
essentially Aussie blokes (and a Sheila or two) with their own brand of country
-style music and comical quips has been delighting audiences near and far for
more than 20 years. Alongside
traditional instruments, they twanged and thumped their way through songs using
some inventive bush musical devices, the creation of which appeared to involve
substantial beverage consumption. So enticing was this performance that even
Somerset's Mayor, the always supportive Graeme Lehmann, was seen leading the
audience in a vigorous demonstration of Homes, Gum Trees, Plum Trees, Verandahs
and an Ol' Rocking Chair...amongst others!
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| Lloyd King and the Bushbashers |
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| Audience Participation |
An Esk Community menagerie waddled over to the
Choir risers to let it be known that 'All
God's Creatures Have a Place in the Choir' after which a little sanity and
serenity prevailed.
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| Roger Marsupial and Alan Elephant |
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| Is this Iris Tune? |
Though the
tenderness of Robert Burns' 'Auld Lang Syne' will always be felt no
matter how it is sung, the sentiment of the Choir's Christmas version was no
less meaningful as the entire audience joined with them in its singing. Luke O'Hagan's mellifluous tenor voice led
the Choir as they rejoined in Bach's blessed 'Ave Maria'. Singing the
verses of the ancient Christmas Carol 'O
Holy Night' the goose-bump gorgeous soprano voice of Jo Robbins soared as
she led the Choir into the climactic choruses and the James/Wheeler 'Carol of the Birds', a uniquely Australian Christmas Carol, was the perfect 'Orana' to a wonderful
audience who came to enjoy an afternoon of inspiring performances.
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| Luke O'Hagan |
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| Jo Robbins |
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| Bernie Snepp |
To be able to welcome to this day a very special
friend and supporter of the Choir was an unparalleled honour. For 28 years, Mr Bernie Snepp has been skilfully
recording for CD the Choir's Concerts and performances and making them sound
like the Choir they strive to be. Though
at the age of 88 he is now in semi-retirement, it is hoped that the distance
between friends will still never be too long.
With uplifted hearts, bags full of gifts and
goodies purchased from the Craft stall and the sounds of Christmas still
resonating, concert goers gathered in the foyer for a delectable afternoon
tea, all in no doubt of the store of
wonderful Choir performances they can expect in 2016.
