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| The Semitones Opening the Concert in Irish Costume and a lilting Irish Tune |
The ESK COMMUNITY
CHOIR's 'Excerpts from Les Misérables-
In Concert' has been on a journey of
late, opening with the Choir's May 5th
performance at the Somerset Civic
Centre in Esk, on then to the South
Burnett at Blackbutt, returning on Friday, September 11th to Toogoolawah's Alexandra Hall where they again won over another capacity
audience.
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| The Choir performing Irish Melodies |
In light of the
Concert theme, the opening bracket of songs from Ireland was not meant to
baffle or bewilder but to make welcome the 2014 Esk Touring Choir's Cork host and
special guest, the delightful Cay Cooney who, along with her long time friend
Maggie, were flushed with excitement at their warm Somerset reception. So much of the Irish heritage is celebrated
in its music and though the cutest little line-up of Irish clad 'Semitones'
with their heart soaring Irish welcoming
songs and the talented Nedi Granzien's sublime rendition of 'Dear Little Shamrock' surely were hard acts
to follow, and follow the Choir and
soloists did with some liltingly uplifting
Irish favourites.
A short
intermission followed during which Concert goers intermingled and imbibed on complimentary
hot drinks and delicious sandwiches.
Sated and again seated, the audience hushed to the strains of the anthem
of 'Les Misérables' as a cast of Victor Hugo's colourful characters...the poor
and oppressed, the prostitutes, criminals and street children of a nineteenth
century Paris...processed to gather on stage before the brilliant backdrop and barricade. This is setting for this stunning
performance.
With the
accompaniment of a small but highly accomplished 'orchestra', from the angry
insurgents' cry 'At the End of the Day'
through Bob Bigg's eloquent narration interwoven with the pathos and power of many of the
Schonberg/ Boublil/Kretzmer immortalised
solos, duets and chorus numbers, the audience were captivated. The final wishes of the now departed trio of
Fantine, Jean Valjean and Eponone was the beautiful overture to the soul-stirring chorus of 'Do You Hear the People Sing' which
climaxed a performance which
in its entirety brought the
audience as one to its feet in
rousing acclamation.
To Alexis
FitzGerald OAM who has for almost 38 years brought her Choir to a place of
unparalleled joy with a shared love of singing must go bountiful bouquets for
this performance. Again on this night,
Alexis, alongside the undeniable skills of choir accompanist Margaret Philp,
was superlative in both accompaniment and direction. The dulcet strains of violins and guitar
added yet another layer of beauty to the music of 'Les Misérables' and for the
gift of their talents goes much appreciation to Sunshine Coast musicians Iain
McLean and Chrissy Davis on violin and
Logan McIvor for his pulsating rhythms on electric bass.
by: Sue Walker
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| Leon and Carol Toms with guests |
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| Joy and Warwick Grewcoe and guest |
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| Tom Byrne and Roland Cox enjoying an Irish Coffee and a joke |
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| Emily FitzGerald |
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| Tom Byrne and crew singing 'Master of the House' |
Another day and another task for the Esk Community Choir members. A fund raising BBQ at the Toogoolawah markets. Thanks go to a fabulous team of workers who rose early to get the scent of onions and sausages sizzling through the crowds and drawing them into the shelter for the compulsory Australian snack.
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| Attending to the BBQ at the Toogoolawah Markets Carolyn King, Christine Caldwell, Roland Cox |
Meanwhile, not so far away, the members of the Cork Touring Choir gathered to catch up with Cay Cooney with feasting and drinking and of course a song, "Lachlan Tigers",complete with lagerphone accompaniment.
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| A reunion with our Irish Tour Guide, Cay Cooney and her Australian/Irish friend Maggie. |
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