SO MANY GOOD PEOPLE TO LIGHT UP OUR LIVES IN FERNVALE

While twinkling houses festooned with sparkling strands of lights, goofy garden elves and glowing reindeer may have become a merry drawcard for families and others looking to ingest a complimentary bit of Christmas cheer, the lack of these at Fernvale’s community park on that balmy night on  Saturday December 14^th did in no way diminish the season’s spectacle and the notion of giving that underpins the joys of Christmas.  It was the goodwill of churches and charity organizations whose members dispensed from marquees all manner of food, drink and kind words. It was the families on rugs and fold-up chairs; strangers becoming friends around picnic tables; children abandoning iPads and other devices for light sticks, their gay abandonment creating something magical.  It was all these amid the cacophony of corellas and lorikeets in the trees and the singing of Christmas Carols… these simple pleasures… that created a spectacle of its own and lit up the lives for all who attended.

Freedom Road, the small but sublime ensemble of singers backed by their equally talented band members from Bundamba’s Salvation Army even captured the silence of the birds with their consummate singing of Carols.  It was with gratitude to the capable and confident direction of Kathleen and the polished accompaniment by the ever adaptable Margaret on a borrowed piano, that the Esk Community Choir Carollers were able to remind the gathered crowd and especially the children who joined with them on the mound that, through their singing, Christmas is not all about presents but the presence of loved ones.  It was a privilege to have been invited to partake of this special occasion and we are grateful for the generosity of co-ordinator Andy Bickerton, the community organizations and the people of Fernvale who, with us, were happy to spread the joy.

By: Sue Walker

SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL HAPPENED THIS DECEMBER IN ESK

The Elves: Lloyd Elf, Eric Elf, Helene Elf, Gary Elf. 

It was just plain hot on Sunday, 1^st December, a taste of those long hot Summer Days the weather gurus have been predicting and by golly, indications are that they well may be right.  However, December 1st is also a time for heralding the joyous season of Christmas and by 2pm on that day, Esk’s Somerset Civic Centre was chokers with high spirited concert goers finding their places in the cool of the Concert Hall and eager for an afternoon of musical entertainment at the Esk Community Choir’s 29^th Annual Christmas Variety Concert.

Joy to the World: Lloyd, Gary, Denis, Brian, Eric and Margaret

‘Rounds’ by the choir which rendered the audience a fitting welcome must surely have been inspiration for Mother Nature who made her presence felt with a brief but wanted fall of rain.

Fast becoming a regular at the emcee podium is Councillor Sean Choat who, with his eloquence and joie de vivre was again brilliant at ushering the items from the concert’s outset to its potent conclusion.

Percussimo

Spellbound could be the appropriate word to define the audience’s reactions when special guests, Percussimo burst onto the stage and transported a room full of ardent onlookers on a musical journey with their ‘art of hitting’.   Age did not seem important when such a powerful performance of percussion managed to find its way into the souls of everyone from 8 to 80 and beyond.  With flair, youthful exuberance and perfect precision, Percussimo’s Creative Director, Tina Liu and her equally talented 7 member troop of outstanding musicians engaged the audience with everything from ‘Eye of the Tiger’, the beauty of Saint-Saens through a sensitive as well as upbeat medley of their own arrangement of beloved Christmas Carols to Star Wars and a magical mayhem of musical sounds from Harry Potter.  This, a collaboration with children from the audience who, when invited on stage were equipped with all manner of things percussive from triangles and train tooters to owls, frogs and crickets and all who rushed at the opportunity to be part of something so transformative. Percussimo’s mission is to provide magical experiences through live music that connects and resonates with the audience, creating sounds that inspire happiness and joy. Few would disagree…mission accomplished!

“Yikes, d’y’realize we have to follow this performance?” whispered one Sweetheart of Song to another during Percussimo’s climactic spectacle of sound using light-up sticks.  With interval over, some fabulous raffles and lucky door prizes drawn, won and the stage restored to accommodate the choir, follow, the ‘Sweethearts’ did… with gusto.  Kathleen, Susie, Carolyn and Maree are the Sweethearts of Song whose passion for singing is palpable and whose sublime harmonies once again had the audience clapping and tapping to the beat during their duo of songs.

The Sweethearts of Song:  Kathie, Susie, Carolyn and Maree 

If music feeds the soul and variety adds the spice then there would surely have been no one left wanting when, with a dynamic opening delivered by Lloyd King, the gregarious Grace Crichton on drums and the mastery of Margaret Philp at the piano, Alexis and the Choir took to the stage for a gritty performance of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.

On another level and equally as passionate about the art of making music were the host of little musicians forming the Esk State School Band. Under the watchful eye of music specialist, Adam Smith, they gave a resounding performance of a number of vibrant compositions involving some punchy audience participation.  Following these and surely inspired by the Percussimo experience, finding the right tempo and a gay abandonment of volume control from the band’s percussion section did prove challenging for their performance of Away in a Manger. However, with a retake or two, the help of School Principal and a small group from the Choir, it was altogether a performance the audience thoroughly enjoyed.

Esk State School Band

Audience involvement with the
Esk State School Band

Bringing further joy to the audience was the goose-bump gorgeous performance of Roger Quilter’s Non Nobis Domine by the Choir men.  Nurtured by Choir Director, Alexis FitzGerald OAM, this men’s group is fast becoming an accomplished force on the Choral Concert scene.

Tenor and Bass  Ensemble

In contrast to the distinctive vocal qualities of the men, the ladies of the choir came together to bring forth the spirit of Christmas through two well loved Christmas Carols, Ding Dong Merrily on High arranged by Michael Neaum and along with Suzanne Clemence’s delightful flute accompaniment  Don’t Be Coy, Sing With Joy, a carol composed especially for the Ladies of the Esk Community Choir by the internationally acclaimed Australian Educator/Composer, Paul Paviour.

SSAA Ensemble 

In a fitting finale to another wonderful year of making music, the combined voices of the Esk Community Choir came together for a trio of Christmas songs which have delighted many for generations, climaxing, as has become the tradition, in the exhilarating ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ from ‘The Messiah’ which again left a thrilled audience in no doubt of the exciting Choral events in store for 2020.

 Christmas can mean something different to each individual and everyone has their own reasons for celebrating.  We of the Esk Community Choir do so through the passion and joy of singing, not only at Christmas time but as an everyday celebrated activity. However, there are so many other strings to a Choir bow that serve to achieve a successful event. To the volunteers from the choir who toil behind the scenes to make these events the enjoyment that they are goes so much gratitude. To name them all would be to surely omit someone undeservedly though mention must be made of our creator of brilliant backdrops, Russell Zammit who, though unable now to attend practices has a love for the choir which knows no bounds. We are continually indebted to our sponsor extraordinaire, Boutique Meats and for the support of the editors of The Somerset Newspaper who never fail to find room for our stories and photos.  We are also grateful to the loyal band of followers from the community and beyond whose faces in the audience are a continual presence.  One of the great joys of being in this choir has been getting to know you all.  Bounteous bouquets to Margaret our gracious and gifted accompanist and to Alexis, you also for your open heart, your talent, patience and your belief in your choir.  Who knew when we joined this choir that we would be making a friend for life?

By: Sue Walker

Carolyn, Elizabeth, Brian

Di  - 'Oh Joy!' 

Jan and Jennifer

Judy and Jo

Claire and Ruth

Gary and Alan

Grace, Desma, Sue, Caitlin

 Percussimo

Percussimo - Flaming Drumsticks

Look What's lined up for 2020! 

IPSWICH ORPHEUS CHORALE CELEBRATES A 50 YEAR MILESTONE

Massed Choirs at the Orpheus' Choir 50th  Anniversary Celebration 

It was Aristotle who once said the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.  However, one doesn’t need to be a philosopher to know that at the time Mrs Aristotle penned that one for posterity, old Ari must surely have been urging his children to join a choir.  Two thousand odd years later and testament to Aristotle’s accuracy presented itself in the form of five outstanding choirs who came together in celebration of the Ipswich Orpheus Chorale’s fiftieth anniversary.

The imposing Ipswich City Uniting Church, it’s Wesley Chapel opened in 1858 reputedly making it Queensland’s oldest Church in continuous use, could not have been a more perfect setting for the gathering of these esteemed choirs and the large audience who came to listen.

Orpheus Choral Group  

The Blackstone Ipswich Cambrian Choir was established in 1886 and the Toowoomba Choral Society has been an integral part of the musical landscape of the Darling Downs since 1933.  With performance commitments elsewhere on this day, it was the Toowoomba Choral Society who were masterfully represented by the beautiful baritone voice of Ian Kammholtz.  The Ipswich Orpheus Chorale is now fifty years in the making, still boasting ‘original’ members, likewise the Esk Community Choir which has been under the continuous direction of its founder Alexis FitzGerald OAM since 1978 and all these, along with the next generation of choristers in the Young Orpheus Singers, brought not only a wonderful sense of musical history together in this historically significant building but each, through the sum of their voices, created harmony as a whole and the joy of choral singing, unsurpassed.

Esk Community Choir

Atop the programme ‘Purely for Pleasure’ was the brief so easily achieved amid so much amazing choral singing.  It was with gratitude that Alexis, Margaret and the members of the Esk Community Choir were invited to be a part of the celebration to mark this historic milestone in the life of the Ipswich Orpheus Chorale.  To Choir Director Vicki Jones, the Orpheus Committee and Choir members for your wonderful hospitality, we give our sincere thanks.

By: Sue Walker

Photos by: Marina Crichton 

Margaret & Alexis 

Orpheus Junior Choir 

Cambrian Choir 

THE ‘TERRIFIC TENORS’ WERE SIMPLY TERRIFIC IN TOOGOOLAWAH!

The Terrific Tenors

“What in the name of Christopher Columbus could she be thinking?!” was a paradigm of the parlance  in thought bubbles when, undaunted, Esk Community Choir’s Musical Director, Alexis FitzGerald OAM, declared she was intending to put together an all-male concert and call it ‘The Terrific Tenors’.  

Undeterred, the blueprint was formed, music distributed and following the Touring Choir’s return from overseas, rehearsals began in earnest.  There were moments of exasperation when non-retention of lyrics was rife, capitulation when musical lines went walkabout, others of hilarity when choreography went a little cockeyed.  However hard-won, Alexis’s confidence prevailed and with cooperation, pounds of patience and belief, Alexis and her choir boys who have been supporting the ladies of the choir at concerts for more than 40 years, successfully produced a showcase of their amazing musical talents at Toogoolawah’s Alexandra Hall on that Sunday afternoon in September.

Prior to performance time in a moment of solemnity and in dedication, Alexis spoke of Gail Webster, a treasured member of the Choir whose love of music and of the choir throbbed through her veins; whose courage throughout her illness was an inspiration to everyone but who sadly passed away recently.

At 2.30pm in front of a capacity audience who, in support of this event, had braved the dust storms, smoke and high winds whipping up from the west, it was time to put on a show!  With Alexis at the piano and a talented ensemble of Sunshine Coast instrumentalists on strings to augment the musical sounds, the event came to life with a mixed-bag of rousing excerpts from Sigmund Romberg’s The Student Prince culminating in a stirring rendition by Denis, Bob and the Ensemble of I’ll Walk With God.  It was obvious by this time that concert goers knew they were in for a very special treat.

The Student Prince 

An interlude during which some wonderful raffle prizes were drawn and won allowed time for a quick costume change.  On cue, the men, top-hatted and canes in hand, strutted onto the stage to sashay their way through Irving Berlin’s Let Yourself Go.  Though Fred Astaire can lie in repose still comfortable in the knowledge that his dance steps are safe, the Choir’s talented choreographer, Helene Hawes did manage small miracles with her gaggle of guys, a majority of whom found themselves in possession of two left feet!  The lyrics of I Got Plenty of Nuttin’ belied the considerable talents of tenor Denis Hawes while Lloyd King in the guise of Bond…James Bond…managed to steal away his ‘Bond girl’, Carolyn during the enthusiastic singing of You Only Live Twice.

Let Yourself Go

However, whilst Mr Astaire may still be smiling, it was Noel Coward who may have been rolling around ready to rethink his strategies when Eric von Nida brought his Nina, a comic song about ‘a fairly disagreeable lady’ to life and to another level.  In a stunning performance, complex both lyrically and rhythmically, Eric brought the audience to their feet and left them calling for ‘encore!’.

The very animated Eric von Nida _ Nina

‘We want Pickwick…We want Pickwick!’ came the cries followed by questions from a riotous bunch of unruly women in the audience.  ‘Pickwick’, aka Lloyd King did answer the call with his misguided political manifesto and a delightful performance of If I Ruled the World.  With the ensemble still on stage, Brian Crichton followed with his passionate solo lead in the beautifully biblical Exodus Song.

You'll Never Walk Alone - Denis and Roger

A short break in the proceedings with the drawing of one of the big raffles allowed for another frenzied costume change. However, not even the odd wardrobe malfunction could detract from Denis, Roger and the Ensemble’s  ‘moving tribute to the brotherhood of man’ from Carousel, You’ll Never Walk Alone and with his shirt buttons unashamedly still askew, Alan zealously led the men into a powerful rendition of Soldiers Chorus.

Bob Hardy _  O Star of Eve

In a climactic finale, Bob Hardy gave a truly sensitive portrayal of one of the most beloved of all operatic arias from Wagner’s Tannhauser, O Star of Eve and as Alexis played like moonlight on water the last strains of the Wagner’s accompaniment,  Choir ladies quietly made their way to the stage to join with the men for the collaboration of voice and instruments in a moving performance of Pilgrims’ Chorus.

The Esk Community Choir is grateful that there are people whose generosity is given so freely in support of many Choir events. Damien FitzGerald from Toogoolawah’s Boutique Meats, Tony Groom, Alcheringa Holiday House Binna Burra, the Editors of The Somerset Newspaper; from the Somerset Council, Mayor Graeme Lehman, Sean Choat and from the Community, that wonderful bunch of Choir supporters whose faces are always a glowing presence amongst audiences. 

Roland at the controls

 The Esk Community Choir is also grateful to Roland Cox for stepping into the breach at the audio controls and for his commitment to perfecting its intricacies; to Kathleen for learning the complexities of the lighting system in 2 hours and for the many other volunteers from within the choir whose tireless efforts allow these events to run so seamlessly.  We are grateful for a consummate accompanist in Margaret Philp whose  musical talents are often overshadowed by the singers for whom she plays and a Choir Director in Alexis who dreams up at least five impossible things before breakfast and then makes them happen; who through music brings people together with that common thread and who needs to be thanked formally for showing us why we matter. Alexis is the beating heart of her choir, the members of which are all the richer for having been invited into her world.

Love is in the Air brought the joy of singing to the entire gathering as the Choir ushered concert goers from their seats to partake of a sumptuous afternoon tea.

Love is in the Air ♥

Alexis

Alan Hayward

Exodus _ Brian Crichton

Helene Hawes

King, Lloyd King!  and  Bob Hardy 'You Only Live Twice'. 

Denis Hawes

Tom, Alan and Wally

Lloyd King_ 'If I Ruled the World'

YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE

The 'Waitresses' with the Students of Karlsberg _ The Student Prince

THEY CAME TO HEAR OUR CHOIR AT BRASSALL VILLAGE

This is Why We Sing  

Having received the invitation to perform for the residents at Brassall Village since long before who-knows-when in 2018, it was there we found ourselves on September 1^st, a small group of choristers standing before a small bevy of Village residents, a significant portion of whom appeared hopeful of some enjoyable entertainment, the remainder possibly curious to know what lay in store.  There was the delightful Irene who before even finding her seat, unashamedly boasted of her happy 11 year’s longevity at the Village; her audibly challenged neighbour, Isobel, who wandered down the hall with her wheelie securing a spot in the front beside her ‘extra set of ears’ in Irene.  George and Cora, celebrating their 63^rd wedding anniversary found their places at the rear of the sun filled multi- purpose dining room and others, seated around tables, settled in for the afternoon’s entertainment.

Preliminaries completed by Alexis and poised at the ready along with Margaret at the piano, a rousing rendition of “Happy Anniversary Cora and George” set the tone and together we took the audience on a musical journey from a welcoming  ‘Well Hello’ to a snapshot of songs the Choir men will be bringing to their ‘Terrific Tenors’ concert on 8^th September.  The ladies in black-and-white lined up for ‘I Love a Piano’ to be followed by the full complement of choristers performing well-known, well-loved songs which have defied time and generations for their popularity, culminating with the emotive ‘Why We Sing’, the reasons by way of its poignant lyrics and the sheer joy of its singing leaving no doubt.  With Alexis having introduced each song with a short preamble, many old souls found they were so familiar that quiet participation became unavoidable.  Other songs generated tears and lots of hand clapping while the odd ‘wadidshesay?’ required some rough-hewn translations.  Is it not that one of the joys of ageing is the privilege to say and do pretty much anything when it gladdens and inspires your day? 

Our entertainment ended generating a standing ovation and a handful of calls for ‘just one more?!’. And so it was with an impromptu performance of the beautiful South African freedom song ‘Siyahamba’ that the concert completed and we joined with the gracious and appreciative residents of Brassall Village around tables adorned with delicious treats for afternoon tea, the gift of our singing still throbbing in our veins having transformed these delightful people who clearly shared our love of music and through their joy, a gift in return.

By: Sue Walker

Taking every opportunity to have FUN

The Unruly Students of 'Karlsberg'

The Musicians

Denis - 'I Got Plenty O' Nuttin' 

'Eric the Naughty'