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| Esk Community Choir Ladies Ensemble |
It has been almost four decades
since the Esk Community Choir began to
bring the sounds of Christmas to audiences in the Somerset Region and by all
accounts, this year’s Christmas Variety Concert at the Somerset Civic Centre
was a spectacle of Advent sights and sounds which seemed to lift the bar on many
performances which had gone before.
On Sunday, December 8th,
it was just plain hot! The weather gurus
who had predicted a long hot summer had certainly got it right. However, there was nothing but high spirits
as concert goers, with raffle tickets, condiments, crafts, plants and all
manner of stocking fillers in hand, made their way into the cool of the auditorium. The giant Christmas tree, erected proudly at
the entrance and adorned with vibrant ornaments, each reflecting the soft glow
of the dozens of fairy lights, stood as an inviting spectacle to all who came
to enjoy the sounds of Christmas.
Following the customary welcome
by emcee extraordinaire Sean Choat, the joy of the season was brought to life
with choral sounds from the Esk Community Choir, Esk Men’s Choir, Esk Ladies
Choir, and the masterful instrumental performance of Elgar’s Salut d’Amour
(Love’s Greeting) with the indisputable expertise of Alexis on piano, our
sublime flautists, Suzanne and Ruth together with Chrissy Davis’s superb string
ensemble, Strings ‘n Things, all of whom created a perfect prelude for the extravaganza
to come.
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| Strings 'n Things with Alexis at the piano |
Music and painting are two
different types of art which, as evidenced on this day, can interact so
beautifully. Introducing this year a
slight twist to the customary musical path, two of SASI’s gifted artists,
Shirley and Nikki, sat quietly creating on canvas the mood, harmony, emotion,
colour, shape, and composition reflecting their interpretations of the songs
filling the auditorium.
It was such an honour to host 17
members of the Blackbutt Singers who, under the direction of Judy Lawrence, presented
their uplifting harmonies and upbeat songs to great audience acclamation. These choir members who share an obsession
with singing have been making great music and fostering friendships in the
South Burnett area and beyond for many years.
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| Blackbutt Singsers |
This concert, hailed as an
‘Instrumental Extravaganza’ was grounds for the introduction of featured guest
artists Full Spectrum Brass. Comprised of a quartet of two trumpets, a
trombone and tuba, these consummate musicians, all members of the Queensland
Symphony Orchestra, had the audience spirited away with their playlist of
everything from up tempo Christmas favourites to sultry New Orleans Jazz and
shades in between.
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| Full Spectrum Brass |
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| Esk State School Band with teacher Paul Edwards |
The talented Glenrock Uke
ensemble together with a few wacky warblers were a shot in the arm for
energetic audience participation of some upbeat Christmas classics; the debut performance by Recorder Resonance
brought a whole new appreciation to this much maligned instrument; and another entre
to the stage, this time by Patti Jaenke’s glittering Somerset Tappers
was a triumphant and captivating performance
by this group of women with so much life in their years. To complete the essence of an ‘Instrumental
Extravaganza’, under the direction and expertise of their teacher, Paul Edwards,
the six fine little musicians from the Esk State School Band charmed concert
goers with their delightful Christmas tunes.
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| Glenrock Ukes with Wacky Warblers stirring up the audience |
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| Recorder Resonance |
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| Somerset Tappers |
The finale of this Instrumental Extravaganza, a tour de force with Strings ‘n Things, Full Spectrum Brass, Recorder Resonance, the Blackbutt Singers and the entire Esk Community Choir all finding their positions on the stage and floor, the choirs’ instrument, their voice. With Suzanne on flute and the Choir’s adaptable, all-round consummate musician Ruth Skippen at the keyboard and with a nod by Alexis to all instrumentalists and choirs, Alexis raised her hands and the emotional depths of Beethoven’s Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee filled the room, to an audience reaction rarely heard before. This audience on this day awoken to the joys of singing and music. With gracious wishes for a safe and happy Christmas conveyed by Alexis, both audience and artists converged around the colourful afternoon tea tables to celebrate the fellowship that music inspires.
By: Sue Walker
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| Esk Community Choir |
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| Glenrock Ukes with the Wacky Warblers |
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| Inspired by the music and performances during the concert Artist Nikki from the Sommerset Arts Society Incorporated titled this piece "Do you see what I see". At the end of the concert the artwork was auctioned. |
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| Elizabeth Brown with a her painting - donated to raffle |
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| Suzanne and Jan, Jorja and Avalee, Jennifer and Leah Thank you for always helping with Front of House duties. |
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