MEMORIES MADE IN 2025 WITH ESK COMMUNITY CHOIR

 

At the Grand Hotel we gathered round,

Cheerful chatter amid a grateful crowd,

The year was full, the months seemed long,

But now it was time for wine and song.

The tables filled with stories shared

Of concerts sung and highs declared.

Alexis lavished praise with a well-earned sigh,

Cards and gifts exchanged around table nearby.

Susie wrapped wrist bands on members with cheer,

And we all toasted heartily to another great year.

The soloists sparkled, Alexis and Ruth kept time,

The duets and Ukes all sounded sublime.

Helene made her debut on flute this night

Annie’s Song so serene, not one note did take flight.

Now Roly and Sue have taken their leave

Off to new ventures, we can hardly believe.

We’ll miss both their voices, Sue’s table décor bespoke

And the times they shared with all of us folk.

Throughout ‘25, each rise and fall,

Each week we’ve answered music’s call…

With our cherished Alexis, so calm and true,

Guiding us as only she can do.

Alexis to your steadfast heart

Your care, your craft, your vital part

We offer our gratitude sincere,

You are the soul of Esk Choir, year after year.

And as we ended this joyful night

Beneath the Grand’s soft glowing light,

We heard our voices joined as one.

To rise again when the season’s done.

And as the night drew gently to rest--

We knew we’d shared our very best.

By: Sue Walker

THE GIFT OF MUSIC FROM A CHOIR TO A COMMUNITY IN 2025

 

What could be more enjoyable than the company of friends amid festive surrounds, a diverse repertoire of instrumental, dance and choral music by prodigious musicians, tappers and an extraordinarily accomplished Choir? Nothing…that’s what!  And anybody who was not at the Somerset Civic Centre on the afternoon of 7^th December at the Esk Community Choir’s 35^th Annual Christmas Concert will have robbed themselves of an occasion that surely would have enriched their lives.

The sun painted  the sky blue on this unseasonally sultry December morning, and without a storm in sight, concert goers found their places within the welcome relief of the Civic Centre’s foyer, a room festooned with a magnificent Christmas tree, a kaleidoscope of colour, craft, cookies and condiments ready to fill curious customers’ Christmas wish lists and a special appearance by Santa Claus doing the rounds for happy snappers to insert that special someone or two on their annual Christmas Cards; all these reflecting the sights of the season. However, it was inside the Auditorium where that variety reached another level with the Sounds of the Season. 

At the outset, an eloquent address by Choir President, Marina Crichton acknowledged the Choir’s gift to the Somerset Civic Centre of a data projector creating dynamic digital backdrops to enhance audience appreciation at any number of events.  Then followed the presentation by Alexis to the Esk Community Choir’s newest life member, a very humble but deserved and bewildered Felice Evans.  Behind a closed curtain, the choristers came together on stage to eventually join in song with Roland and Richard whose uplifting duet Jesus is Born set the scene for the musical treats to follow.

The boys from Full Spectrum Brass both in collaboration with the Choir and as a quartet were a masterclass of brass and a demonstration of why they are a brass ensemble in high demand.   The string ensemble, Strings and Things are fast becoming Choir concert regulars, each and together creating once more a symphony of the hypnotic sounds of some of the great composers. A glittering performance by the Somerset Tappers was both a triumph and a captivating display of dance by a group of talented ladies with so much life in their years.  

Those three recalcitrant fairies, on the other hand, whilst they may have interrupted the introduction to a classic performance of DeCesare’s arrangement of Jingle Bell Rock by three masters of their crafts, Alexis on piano,  and  flautists Ruth and Suzanne, they did manage to open a window into the works of Gilbert and Sullivan, a March 29^th concert by choir members to be performed in 2026. 

Adding more spice to the variety, the fabulous Glenrock Ukes were a stimulus for some upbeat audience participation and under the tutelage of Suzanne, Recorder Resonance entertained with gusto dispelling any scepticism of this much maligned instrument. Adam Smith’s band of fine musicians from the Esk and Toogoolawah State and High Schools was a showcase of burgeoning talent and enthusiasm guaranteeing smiles and great applause from an appreciative audience.  Adding another level of artistic talent to an already prolific lineup were two gifted illustration artists, SASI’s Shirley Gregor and from Fernvale Artists group, Sue White both of whom throughout the concert quietly created on cardstock their artistic reflections of the songs that filled the auditorium; these later to be auctioned under the hammer of Ray White’s engaging but persuasive Josiah Jensen, the proceeds to be donated to the Esk State School’s restoration following October’s devastating hail storm.

And in between all these, shepherded by emcee extraordinaire, Sean Choat, including the drawing of some amazing raffle prizes, the members of the Esk Community Choir thrilled concert goers with some Christmas Carol magic.  Sir John Rutter’s We Wish You a Merry Christmas; a Merry Christmas Mozart arrangement by Jay Althouse and under Kathleen’s consummate musical direction, Sing With Festive Cheer is just what the ladies’ choir did.  The vibrant voices of the men’s choir soared as they led the choir into O Holy Night’s climactic choruses and Bob Hardy’s mellifluous bass voice as he ushered the choir in a unification of harmony with Strings and Things, Full Spectrum Brass, Suzanne on flute, the choir’s all-round consummate musician Ruth on keyboard and with Alexis at the music stand, sculpting the collaborative performance, The Holy City was the perfect inspiring finale to another wonderful  Christmas Concert.

This 2025 Christmas Concert offered more than a festive performance.  It was a celebration of community spirit, of musical collaboration and the unquestioned talents of a musical director with an unwavering passion for her choir.  Thank you, Alexis, for filling our lives with harmony, hope and the joy of singing together.

By: Sue Walker

A TALE OF CELEBRATION AND UNFORESEEN CHAOS AT ESK STATE SCHOOL’S 150TH ANNIVERSARY

 

It was on Saturday November 1^st when the Esk State School staff, students past and present, parents, a noteworthy number of supporters and sponsors as well as state, federal and local dignitaries rallied to celebrate a significant milestone in the life of this little school with its 150^th anniversary. An occasion eagerly anticipated by the entire community. 

Amongst the many highlights was the participation of our Esk Community Choir who was invited to lend its voices to the anniversary celebrations with the singing of the Australian Anthem and the ‘old’ Esk State School song, composed by our own Alexis late last century; a song resonating with the history of the school. 

And so it was a morning, the November sky cloudless, when the covered areas and grounds of the school were abuzz with students, old and new, families and friends enjoying the welcoming speeches, stalls, historical displays, and the various activities planned to commemorate this wonderful milestone.  Early afternoon and festivities took a dramatic turn as dark clouds gathered and without much warning, a fierce hailstorm swept through the area.  Torrential rain, strong winds and large hail stones caused tents and displays to collapse, soaking and injuring many attendees, forcing the event’s abrupt ending with many people having to scramble for cover and safety.

While the day did not end as planned, the adversity did highlight the enduring spirit of the people of this community.  Such was the devastation that Queensland Premier, Hon. David Crisafulli was there the following day to witness first-hand the devastation at the school and within the town and to give his praise to the volunteers who so quickly pitched in to help with the clean-up and offer their support to those affected by the storm.    

The Esk State School’s 150^th anniversary will be remembered not just for the milestone it represented, but for the collective response to this unprecedented event and a powerful reminder of resilience and togetherness, a testament to this tight-knit community.

By: Sue Walker

ANOTHER WAY TO A PERFECT DAY FOR OUR MARGARET

 

To the management and staff at Regis Camp Hill, Alexis and we of the Esk Community Choir would like to express our sincere gratitude for allowing us this opportunity to sing and for your kind hospitality. It was a bright blue-skyed, crisp morning when members of the Esk Community Choir made their way down the highway to the warm reception by residents and carers at Regis, Camp Hill where our Margaret and her family had been anxiously marking time for our arrival.

It has been said that there is no harm in repeating a good thing and that good thing was an encore of the choir’s Divas and Delights – Encore.  This new audience was in for a treat. It was a rousing repertoire kicking off with The Circus, a tribute to Johann Strauss.  Then, riding the ebb and flow of the audience’s energy, in a conglomeration of colourful costumes and to Alexis’s flawless accompaniments, solos, duos, trios, ensembles and choir, took these old coves along on a delightful musical journey, their reactions priceless. 

Kathleen, Patrina and Susie  "It's May"

Sitting front and centre alongside her family, Margaret, her world now shifted, her mobility now
compromised.  However, still her love and appreciation of her choir and of this music appeared tangible, her extraordinary talent now locked into her tiny frame. 

Margaret came into the choir family almost 16 years ago, not only as an accomplished accompanist with an uncanny capacity for vivid recall, but as a friend. Margaret was, and still is a good friend-maker, a good friend-keeper, and kind – a small word, but still a greatly underrated thing in this world at the moment and we hoped this day had been another precious memory for Margaret to lock away.  

The concert concluded with one of the frequently called upon pieces from the songbook of Margaret’s time with the choir, Lachlan Tigers. It is an Aussie folk song, strangely addictive; and thanks to Malcolm’s and Aydan’s practical demonstration, a heck of a way to learn about shearing.  Its cadence can illuminate a room, but isn’t that the power of a song? It can cause a shift and reconnect an audience to parts of themselves they thought they had lost.

By: Sue Walker

Susie, Patrina and Ruth  "Laughing Gypsies"

Bob 'Some Enchanted Evening"

Roger and Denis "A couple of Swells"

Helene, Susie and Kathleen  "Anything Goes" 

Aydan "I Wonder What the King is doing Tonight"

Denise "I Wonder What the King is doing Tonight" 
With Aydan.

The antics of "Anything Goes" 

 

‘IF A PICTURE PAINTS A THOUSAND WORDS’ THEN THESE WILL CERTAINLY HELP TELL THIS STORY!

 

If exciting, bold and inviting were on the list of requirements for an afternoon’s entertainment then a seat at the Somerset Civic Centre in Esk was the place to be on June 7th when UBUNTU, a group of touring young adults from Uganda and Kenya brought this joyful celebration of African culture, music, dance to concert goers.

‘Ubuntu’ is an ancient African word which can be loosely translated as humanity to others and these young inspiring performers, graduates of the African Children’s Choir have been bringing this visual showstopper to many towns along the east coast of Australia, along the way, raising vital funds to promote education back in their home countries.

There may have been a colourful backdrop on the Civic Centre stage but who would have noticed with so much illumination on stage as these 20 or so performers clad in a range of colourful costumes, mesmerized the audience with a spectacle of pulsating sights and sounds which brought to life the culture and landscape of life and dance in Africa.

Sue, Aydan and Alexis learning an Aftrican Dance move

It would be remiss of this writer to not make mention of the musical and cultural contribution by the members of the Esk Community Choir who opened the show with a celebration of Aussie sounds to honour the bonds between people of these two different countries. However, suffice to say the energy and electric entertainment by UBUNTU throughout, notably including the Esk Choir members’ choreographic contributions for the finale, was a spectacle to open any audience to the power of live performances.

Alexis and members of the Esk Community Choir are grateful to Kwa Ya Australia for their support of UBUNTU’S international tour, allowing the sharing of such wonderful talents and the fostering of the bonds of friendship between our two countries.

By: Sue Walker

Malcom shearing  and Tom  on the Largerphone