DELIGHTFUL FROM START TO FINISH-FANCIFUL & FAMILIAR 2

Consider Yourself - Soloist Kerrie Corbet

Toogoolawah’s Alexandra Hall was alive with the sounds of music on Sunday 7^th May when Alexis FitzGerald presented Fanciful & Familiar 2, a mosaic of beautiful melody and song performed primarily by many singing students and others of the Esk Community Choir. And what more fitting a day for such music than that of the birthdays of celebrated composers, Johannes Brahms and P.I. Tchaikovsky, whose Nutcracker Suite Ballet Score filled the hall while concert-goers found their seats.

Now far-beit to assume that the implication of the compilation was an indication of the maturation of the congregation, but a quirky version of My Favourite Thing was sung by the entire audience, the lyrics appropriately adapted by Julie Andrews for the occasion of her 79^th birthday. And so with the tone aptly established, it was on with the show!

Kerry

And if your favourite things happened to be the sounds of Musical Theatre, then the pre-interval performances were perfect. Kerrie, supported by a Choir chorus made everyone feel at home with Oliver’s Consider Yourself; Sue Cox’s upbeat rendition of I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair left no man questioning her intentions and the tiny but talented Nedi Granzien’s performance of Animal Crackers left no one doubting her musical future.

Nola

Nola’s wonderfully colourful characterization of Why Am I Always a Bridesmaid? never fails to produce the laughs, though barely a breath could be heard when Maree followed with her heartfelt performance of Don’t Cry for Me Argentina.

Erica (AKA Eric von Nida)

And then came ‘Erica’! Poor Unfortunate Souls may have been the song of choice from ‘The Little Mermaid’ but moreover, a label to be placed on anyone who failed to be part of the audience on this day. Quite simply, a stunning performance by Eric von Nida, both visually and musically, ably supported by Nedi as the little mermaid.

Following interval and the drawing of the many lucky raffle winners came a change of pace with the Classical Section of the programme. Making her piano performance debut, Ruth Skippen together with the consummate talents of Alexis, played duets by Rubenstein and (the birthday boy) Brahms. An outstanding performance by this prodigious pair of pianists… hopefully the first of many.

Gail

Jo Robbins, Marina Crichton and Sue Walker gave highly expressive demonstrations of Italian composer, Guiseppe Concone’s vocalises or exercises for the voice, followed by Gail’s beautiful rendition of Haydn’s Hark What I Tell To Thee. Marina and Sue, together with Di Chaplin then shared the stage and the singing of the iconic Nymphs and Shepherds, all these performances a small measure of the depth of talent and commitment by the singing students.

Kathleen Watts captivated with her saucy torch song, On a Slow Boat to China, then with the first of a Seven Brides for Seven Brothers medley, Carolyn declared in a most brilliant way what a Wonderful, Wonderful Day. The multi- talented Matthew Lukritz, fronting a chorus of choir men, completed the medley with Bless Your Beautiful Hide. His performance of The Exodus Song in collaboration with the corps of choir members was a stirring finale which brought goose bumps and conclusion to a brilliant afternoon of music.

Exodus - soloist Matthew Lukritz

This Choir would so like to sing the praises of its many unwavering supporters who rarely fail to show up to performances, others from behind the scenes and all for whom the Choir continues to exist; of the unconditional generosity of Damien FitzGerald’s Castell Park Boutique Meats and all the other fabulous raffle prize donors whose contributions help keep the Choir’s coffers afloat; of Mr Bernie Snep whose support of the Choir is unquestioned and whose skill behind his recording device once again will allow us to save this one for posterity; and finally but never least, of Alexis, who lit the flame for this event and made it sparkle.