‘SURPRISE!!!’ FORTY-FIVE YEARS- A MILESTONE TO BE CELEBRATED

 

Forty – five years can be a long time or a short time, depending on what you are measuring.  A long time to spend writing a novel.  A relatively short time to live. So, the question is how do things last?  Sadly, not life…that’s not up to us, but there are other things like relationships.  For things to last it can’t be just that they are made well but more that they become a ‘home’ in our conscious lives.  Thanks to a very special person, the Esk Community Choir has weathered 45 years under the direction of its founder Alexis.  It’s a plethora of plaudits to this lady and her ability to inspire so many likeminded lovers of music, that this choir has thrived, become that ‘home’ which has kept members returning every week…nay, every year, despite many of life’s distractions. 

It has been a 45 year journey of stories, floods, fires, wonderful achievements, national recognition, magical experiences both locally, internationally, inter and intra state, and most of all, beautiful music, not forgetting 45 years of kind words and support from a community who constantly appreciates the joy of live musical performances. 

To celebrate Alexis’s 45 years of unparalleled contributions to her choir and her community was a no-brainer which is why a surprise party in her honour was activated and achieved at the Grand Hotel in Esk on 30^th September.  Keeping secrets can be both a delight and a burden so bouquets to husband Tony who kept the date clear of commitments, who was entrusted with the secret months ago and still managed to remember.  To Ruth Sk. for her brilliant organizational skills; to Marina, in a tribute to Alexis, for so eloquently echoing the 45 years of our choir; to Sue Cox for her beautiful table décor, and who may rest assured that there is always a remedy for removing spilled red wine from white table cloths; and to all the choir members both present and absent who contributed so generously in so many ways. 

The gifts presented to Alexis each have special significance.  The Velvet cake symbolizing happiness,success, and milestones.  The orchids, a reflection of Alexis’s gentle, kind, and refined nature. Created by Taryn Walker, a very talented fine artist from Toowoomba, the wall plaque is the embodiment of Alexis’s grace and talents… an artist who has respected music by giving it life.  The little black book, proposed by Ruth Sk. and put together with Joann’s creativity is the vault of precious thoughts and feelings, captured by Ruth from contributors to ensure these special memories of the Esk Community Choir  will last forever.

Though I borrow from my words in the 40^th Anniversary Book, for as long as time, they will ring true. For any choir 45 years is a birthday to be celebrated.  It is a monumental milestone for Alexis who has nurtured this choir and, despite many changes, continues to inspire and instil the original core values which have defined its successes.  It is the satisfaction of creating something very special through teamwork. Unlike Alexis, few of us have realized dreams which have and will continue to transform the lives of so many, forever striving for choral excellence.

By: Sue Walker