There
would not have been a single person seated in the Somerset Civic Centre’s
auditorium on Saturday July 16th whose thoughts would not have
drifted to that oft quoted conviction ‘I want what he’s having’ when Dr Anthony
Young came to Esk for ANCA’S July Jamboree to inspire all with his joie de
vivre, energy, and his extensive musical and teaching gifts.
From
the moment Dr Young, teacher, Research Doctorate in Music Education, master’s degrees
in music studies, Literature and Law… and my how the credentials go on… was
welcomed by Qld/NT ANCA President, Joshua Clifford, his repartee, wit, and
enthusiasm for music and the singers who perform it, had the 25 participants for
the conducting PD right in the palm of his hand; likewise the 150 choristers
who came together for the afternoon’s music workshop.
With
an initial focus on ‘technical work’ taking the group through exercises ranging
from the physiology of vocal folds, through ‘fricative’ voiced and unvoiced
consonants to the control of breathing, it was time for the fine-tuning of the
two chosen workshop songs. After three
hours of delightful singing, to the consummate accompaniment by Christine, the climactic
finale to an inspiring day came with the performance of Jerome Kern’s 'Pick
Yourself Up', the song which spoke of hope and persistence, and 'Shall We Gather
at the River', a spiritual by Robert Lowry, along with items by the visiting
choirs, all to the delight of a tiny but appreciative audience.
To
have sat before and reaped the rewards of such a motivational music educator as
Dr Young was indeed a privilege, a sentiment surely endorsed by all
participants from Esk Community Choir, Women in Harmony, South Burnett Chorale,
Blackbutt Singers, Blue Sky Harmony, and Brisbane Pride Choir.
Sue Walker
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| South Burnett Chorale |
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| Women in Harmony |
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| Blue Sky Harmony |
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Brisbane Pride Choir
|
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| Esk Community Choir |
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| Sue, Alexis, Ruth, Kathie, Di, Marina |
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