A GIFT OF MUSIC THIS 2020 CHRISTMAS FROM THE ESK COMMUNITY CHOIR

 

Esk  Community Choir 2020

It was a muggy forty something degree Brisbane Valley afternoon on Sunday 6^th December when people began arriving at the Somerset Civic Centre in Esk.  However, no matter how oppressive the temperatures, concert goers certainly had no regrets about making the effort to attend the Esk Community Choir’s 30^th Anniversary Christmas Concert.  With the easing of Covid 19 restrictions, a capacity audience was able to luxuriate in the welcome relief of an air-conditioned auditorium while savouring the much-anticipated musical entertainment which, following a nine-month live performance drought, was for the community a long-awaited gift.

Sean Choat - emcee

It was obvious that Sean Choat’s excellence as Somerset Councillor is on par with his eloquence as emcee as he confidently steered the event from its opening welcome by the Choir’s new President, Marina Crichton, through to its joyful finale of Christmas Carols.

How more appropriate an opening than the Beethoven composition, This Day We All Sing Together?  In perpetual canon style, the combined voices of the Esk Community Choir paid tribute to arguably the world’s greatest composer with this song in celebration of his 250^th birth year.

Esk Community Choir

The sublime choral performance of Sibelius’s Be Still My Soul was magnified by the brilliance of ‘Sunshine Brass’ under the baton of Dr Heather McWillliams.  Making their Esk Christmas Concert debut, the highly acclaimed ‘Sunshine Brass’ proceeded to thrill the audience with a diverse repertoire of exhilarating tunes ranging from Robin Hood:Prince of Thieves through Trombone favourites,  precision pieces with percussion to a masterclass on xylophone with K.J. Alford’s The Two Imps.

Sunshine Brass Trombone Section

Xylophone Masterclass

Marina and Grace

It was obvious that mother and daughter duo, Marina and Grace Crichtons’ talents do not stop at hamming it up in front of amateur theatre audiences when they brought back in fine style Gershwin’s Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off. 

Following this, the poetic performance of the Fote flute duet Tutti Fluti by Suzanne Clemence and Ruth Skippen was a tour de force and will surely be a collaboration to continue enchanting audiences in 2021 and beyond.

It was a case of ‘if youth knew…if age could’ …and did when seven of the choir members, by and large bordering on ‘seniors’, stepped it out with the showstopper from A Chorus Line, ONE! While the original Broadway cast can rest easy in the knowledge that their place in the Chorus Line is fairly safe, these six ladies and Eric did manage to wow this audience in Esk with their sparkling song and dance moves.

Helene, Grace, Kathie, Eric, Marina, Sue & Anna

Seoneidin Granzien

 Notwithstanding her tender years, Seoneidin Granzien’s vocal mastery has been   gathering momentum with opportunities in and around South East Queensland.   On this day Nedi’s outstanding solo performances of the emotive I Dreamed a   Dream and All Bells in Paradise were an insight into the promising future that   awaits this young lady in the world of music.  

Helene and Denis Hawes

Variety continued to be the flavour of the day particularly when husband and wife, Denis and Helene Hawes captivated concert goers with Love is a Many Splendored Thing, Helene highlighting the sensitivity of lyrics with her graceful ballet.  

Adding more spice to the variety, Denis, teamed up with the talented Christine Caldwell and, backed by a ‘cowpoke’ chorus of choir members, brought a little bit of Oklahoma back to the stage.

Marina, Caitlin, Anna, Christine and Denis 

When the four red cloaked Sweethearts of Song sauntered up to their microphones, few could have fathomed their intentions until the familiar upbeat strains of All I Want for Christmas revealed all and silenced the speculation. Frocked in flapper dress they completed their bracket with the uplifting Andrews Sisters’ swing classic, In the Mood.   

The Sweethearts of Song : Kathie, Sue, Carolyn & Maree

So endearing were the sparkling faces on the children of the Esk State School Beginner and Senior Bands as they so confidently performed their chosen pieces, a measure of the enjoyment of music encouraged by their mentor Mr Adam Smith and school Principal, Mrs Roslyn Waldron.

With umpteen Christmas raffles drawn and distributed during a short interval, the moment arrived for the full choir to bring to the audience the finale of soul-stirring songs to echo throughout the hall the sounds of Christmas.  To Beethoven’s music of the ‘Moonlight Sonata’, Glory to God; the popular Newton and Coates spiritual arrangement of Amazing Grace; the glorious Corelli Cantata with Eric von Nida’s solo pathway to duets by Anna, Kathleen, Eric and Roger, these an entrée to encompassing the full choir.  Pianists, Nola, Ruth Wyatt, flautists Suzanne and Ruth Skippen all adding another depth of loveliness to the already superlative accompaniment by Choir accompanist, Margaret Philp.  Sing to the Lord in collaboration with the quintessential class of trumpeter, Matthew Lukritz, was the final uplifting choral number by the choir surely making the hairs on the backs of necks give a standing ovation.  The beloved Christmas Carols sung in concert with the Sunshine Brass and audience left all in no doubt of the magic in music and singing that has been missing for so long.

When concert day comes around, the final product may often appear effortless… but it is not.  The challenges faced this year by the Esk Community Choir in preparing for this event have been many   and without the kind heart and dedication of Alexis FitzGerald and support of some amazing people this would not have been possible.

Alexis 

To Choir Director, Alexis, who can make flowers bloom on stage and knows
her choir members are never fully dressed without a smile on their faces and
a song in their hearts, we give our thanks.

Margaret

Gratitude must also go to Margaret whose proficiency at the piano and long hours
of practice are often overshadowed by the singers for whom she plays.  

We are also indebted to raffle donors, the Esk Lions who, without question, lavished us with those beautifully presented Christmas boxes and the Choir’s own Elizabeth Browne for her vibrant painting; to the Somerset Newspaper without whose support my stories would still just be Word documents on my computer; to the Somerset Regional Council for their support through their Community Assistance Grant; to Choir secretary Kathleen and a conscientious Choir committee along with the many choir volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes to allow our events to flow so smoothly. Lastly, but never least, to our friends and followers who are constantly there to support the choir events and for whom we continue to exist.  To all of you from all of us, have a very merry Christmas and blessings for a safe and happy year in 2021.

By: Sue Walker

Sunshine Brass - Trombone solo

Grace, Helene, Di and Eric

Matthew Lukritz

Suzanne, Ruth and Margaret

Helene, Grace, Kathie 

Kathie and Sue

Somerset Civic Centre

 

FROM THE ESK COMMUNITY CHOIR, THANK YOU MURPHY’S CREEK TAVERN FOR A DAY TO REMEMBER

ONE from Chorus Line... Anna, Sue, Marina, Eric, Kathie, Grace & Helene.  Accompanist - Alexis

It was a case of wait and wonder when, or more pointedly, if the ‘Covid 19' cutbacks might come into force allowing for capacity audiences in venues.  Fortunately for the event organizers at the Murphy’s Creek Tavern, they did…in the nick of time to enable the Esk Community Choir to ‘Serve in Song’ and spread some musical Christmas cheer to a bus load of Brisbane folk who were dropping in for lunch, hopeful of some enjoyable entertainment.

And entertain them Alexis and a bunch of Choir members did.  It was, as they say in the classics, hot as the hinges of hell on that Saturday December 5^th but despite the oppressive temperatures, the show did go on with gusto. With Alexis at the keyboard providing the accompaniment and commentary, there were songs of old, some new, some borrowed but there was nothing blue about the atmosphere when the members of the choir engaged the enthusiastic audience with so many of the songs they knew so well.  A sparkling line-up of choir members strutted their stuff with ONE from a ‘Chorus Line’ setting the scene for what was to follow. Evergreens Puttin’ on the Ritz, You’ll Never Walk Alone, A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square and when Carolyn began singing the Doris Day classic Che Sera Sera, mass participation became unavoidable including one lucky cove plucked from his chair to show off his dance moves.

Carolyn King - Che Sera Sera

Marina - A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square

Sue - Puttin' on the Ritz

Between servings of scrumptious Christmas fare, the entertainment forged on with Tutti Fluti by our two talented flute tooters, Ruth and Suzanne; the celebrated Gershwin duet, Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off, equally memorable when performed by Mother and daughter duo, Marina and Grace.  A bit of moggie mayhem by Susie and Kathleen to the music of Rossini followed by Eric, aka Noel Coward reborn, with the Rhumba number Nina(from Argentina) complete with colourful parrot. Backed in part by the choir, Di’s sensitive performance of The Rose and Denis rounding things up with the Theme from Rawhide brought the choir group back to the performance area for some carol singing.  To Margaret’s beautiful accompaniment and with Alexis poised at the music stand inspiring confidence, the choir sang carols to an audience whose faces lit up on a par with their colourful Christmas surroundings to bring the Christmas celebration and a wonderful concert to a close.  There’s power in an appreciative audience.  It is enough to make a Choir want to come back! 

Di Chaplin - The Rose  (choir backing)

Suzanne and Ruth - Tuttie Flutti 

Trevor with Choir - The Holy City

Marina and Grace - Let's Call the Whole Thing Off

Denis - Rawhide

Eric - Nina

Sue and Kathie - Comic Cats Duet

Denis and Helene

‘EVENSONG’ AT THE ANGLICAN PARISH OF ST LUKE IN TOOWOOMBA

 

It was more than simply a Wintery nip in the air when Alexis, Margaret and a bunch of Choir Members braced themselves against the gale that had been blowing straight off the Antarctic and had found its way to Toowoomba on August 23^rd.  Girded by warm coats, scarves and thermals, the Choir gathered at the magnificent heritage listed St Luke’s Anglican Church for ‘Evensong’, a traditionally Anglican evening service  which is centred around prayers, the singing of the psalms, and the canticles, Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis.  Though this St Luke’s Church has only been serving the parishioners of Toowoomba since 1897, this service in song, using the text from the Book of Common Prayer, has been a tradition within the Church of England since the sixteenth century.

Now 2020 and with Covid 19 protocols having necessitated ‘social distancing’ amongst others, the choristers found their appropriate positions behind the pulpit for a quick rundown with Reverend Paul and a brief warm-up, if only for their voices!  With a congregation also required to ‘socially distance’, many parishioners were able to be a part of this service in the comparative warmth of their homes through the magic of ‘live streaming’.  Minutes before 6.00pm, Reverend Paul alerted the choir with “..we’re about to go live!” at which time one could hear a pin drop save for one choir member who managed to drop her service sheet on the floor.  At this moment , particularly for this writer, memories were recalled of the recording sessions with our spirited but sadly now departed friend, Mr Bernie Snep who would precede his recordings with a very explicit “Stand by!” followed by 5 seconds of unmitigated silence, the breaking of which would provoke the wrath of a perfectionist at his craft.  The delightful Rev. Paul however was the antithesis of our Bernie as he graciously ushered in the proceedings, leading the choir and the, small as well as virtual, congregation through some beautiful singing of hymns and prayers.  

As part of a Choral Evensong there are opportunities for a Choir to sing alone and this the group from the Esk Community Choir did with the poise of a well- practised choir.  With Alexis, hands raised at the music stand breathing confidence into her choristers and to Margaret’s impeccable accompaniment, the church filled with the stirring sounds of ‘Be Still My Soul’.  

Following Reverend Paul’s insightful sermon on the journeys of ‘Sent’ George and his quest for the Holy Grail, the singing of the final hymn, the blessing and an exhilarating Postlude by St Luke’s exceptional Organist, the choir members regrouped to don warm coats and disperse into the night grateful for the opportunity to have been an integral part of this sacred tradition.

By: Sue Walker

            

‘MEDICOS ARE A WORK OF HEART’

During a week when Nurses worldwide are being lauded and recognized for their selfless dedication and professionalism, for their commitment during this challenging COVID-19 pandemic and all that they do on a day to day basis, it is an opportunity for we of the Esk Community Choir to give a big shout-out to the inspirational nurses and medicos who are part of our Choir family. Even at the best of times when they go to work each day, it is easy to underestimate the difference  those on the front line of our health system make in protecting and caring for the health of our communities. 

Currently they have been having to adapt to the new challenge of Covid-19 by keeping our hospitals, medical centres and all those within safe from the virus while also ensuring the smooth

and safe running of their facilities - for this they should be truly applauded.

It is true that strength is far more than a physical measure of stamina.

So to Maree Lansdown, Caitlin Wollaston, Di Chaplin, Marina Crichton and Tony FitzGerald

from all of us 

Thank you for doing what you do 

By: Sue Walker 

Di Chaplin

Caitlin Wollaston

Marina Crichton

Maree Lansdown

Tony FitzGerald