Thursday, June 28, 2012

Esk Community Choir Prepares for their "Gift to the Outback" Tour

Tom, Carmel, Lloyd and Patrina admiring the
Outback Tour Posters

If the looks on the faces of this quartet from the Esk Community Choir are any indication, there is a slice of anticipation in the air.  And the object of their excitement is one of  the many colourful posters, enabled through the generous sponsorship of Deepcore Drilling, Caboolture,  posters which depict on signposts,  the towns of Outback Queensland where the Choir will be performing workshops and Concerts as part of their " Our Gift to the Outback" Tour, departing on 20th September.  Mention must also be made of the generous contributions towards expenses for this, given to the Choir by the Somerset Council and their Regional Arts Development Fund and the Management and staff of Shepherdson & Boyd, all of whom have always been so supportive of the Esk Community Choir and their endeavours.
Touring has become a regular item on this Choir's Calendar of Events, having already reaped the benefits of three European Tours in the past six years.  This year, with many places as far west as Tambo, Emerald,  Longreach and others along the highway feeling  the recent effects of droughts and flooding rains, the Choir members decided to give the gift of their talents to as many towns as they were able to squeeze into a ten day bus tour of these relatively isolated Communities.  Their nine performances will be as diverse as the places at which they will be staged.  From Retirement Villages, to Sheds, Halls, Churches and one at Longreach’s QANTAS Museum, indications are that the eagerness is apparent at both ends of the highway.  With their own losses,  this Choir has known of the importance of "Community" and what it means to be able to know that people care and to be able to give this gift of their music and talents is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Before boarding the Bus, however, the Choir will be giving the Somerset Community a taste of what they will be dishing out along the highway.  One of the first gala occasions to be staged at Esk's brand new Civic Centre will be on September 9th, commencing at 2.30pm when the Esk Community Choir will be presenting an afternoon's entertainment with a large slice of the Outback repertoire. Following the Concert and in keeping with the Outback theme, a typical outback "smoko" style spread will be served to tempt tasters.
More details forthcoming but September 9th in Esk is a date to be set aside for the whole family.

by Sue Walker       Follow our tour   Our Gift to the Outback Tour    Shakin not Stirred