ESK COMMUNITY CHOIR ENTERTAINED AT YUKANA RETIREMENT VILLAGE IN TOOWOOMBA

It is said that if a picture paints a thousand words, then why not let these colourful photos be the perfect storyline for the event held at Yukana Retirement Village in Toowoomba on Friday March 17^th when Alexis and members of the Esk Community Choir came to entertain. 

From the choir group’s spontaneous warm-up performance of ‘Kyrie’ to the rousing renditions of a repertoire of Irish evergreens, a salute to St Patrick’s Day, each item executed beside Alexis’s superlative piano accompaniment, there was not a sleepy soul to be seen amongst the sea of wheelie walkers and wheelchairs.  Smiles were ever present on the faces of a capacity audience who clung to the sparks of enjoyment the variety of well-loved items portrayed, some lovely old coves surely re-living memories of lives that once used to be.

To Leigh-Anne and her delightful staff and to a gracious and appreciative audience, all of whom made our choir members feel so welcomed, Alexis and the choir
give our sincere thanks. The ‘fellowship room’ was both visually and acoustically gratifying, a delightful venue for performance and we look forward, some way down the track, to a return to this lovely place to deliver once more our gift of music.

By: Sue Walker

ST LUKE’S HYMNFEST- TRANSENDING GEOGRAPHICAL BOUNDARIES WITH STIRRING MUSIC FOR A WONDERFUL CAUSE

The mantra on this day was ‘music’.  From the triumphal sounds of trumpet, tubas and tom toms by members of the High-Country Community Band, the power of the pipe organ, counterpoised by the peaceful sounds on piano by accompanist, Ms. Eduarda van Klinken, the stirring sounds of a massed choir under the masterly direction of  Mr Alexander Dixon and the acoustically brilliant vaulted ceiling of Toowoomba’s St Luke’s Anglican Church, this was a day of giving service through song and the universal language of music.

It was also a day to launch the appeal for the restoration of St Luke’s splendid pipe organ which has been serving congregations since 1907 and now understandably puffing out a few little squeaks. 

Choristers gathered from all directions of the compass to be part of this wonderful afternoon, including an eager group from our own Esk Community Choir.  After galloping through a two-hour rehearsal of five beautiful hymns with Mr Dixon, Revd. Canon Paul Mitchell welcomed a capacity congregation who were both treated to and participated in the singing of these chosen pieces, the John Rotar arrangement of the first, ‘Praise to the Lord’, being its inaugural public presentation.

From Eduarda’s organ ‘Concerto Am’ by J S Bach through beautiful solos by two of the  students from Toowoomba Anglican School supported by the massed choir, a beautiful acapella performance by ‘Footnotes’ layered with violin interludes by tiny Leora Dowling,  the purity of sound from the school’s Secondary Chapel Choir through to the Massed Choir’s singing of ‘The Lord Bless You and Keep You’ composed by the incomparable John Rutter, this was an afternoon to bring joy and harmony through the language of music and the hope of a dedicated committee and a supportive congregation for their worthwhile cause.

By: Sue Walker

 

‘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

            

SK COMMUNITY CHOIR CREATING MEMORIES DURING A MORNING OF SONG IN TOOWOOMBA

Esk Community Choir at the Salvation Army Hall in Toowoomba July 2015

For a Choir approaching the 38th year of its journey, it is not easy to still be creating 'Firsts'.   Concerts sung  from the backs of hay wagons to stellar performances in places including  the Sydney Opera House, magnificent  St Paul's Cathedral  in London and Budapest's Matthias have all been new and life-changing experiences gone to plan with Alexis doing what she does so well,  directing her Choir.  However, on Tuesday, July 7th, it was but a virulent little flu bug which  became the cause of yet another 'First' when for once on a performance day, Alexis was confined to bed and Kathleen, with little notice,  was called to sub for her, confidently and competently filling the breach at Toowoomba's Salvation Army Church.

And so it was from the inspiring words of "Open the Gates of the Temple", led by Bob Hardy's sublime opening solo, to the uplifting finalé from ' Les Misérables', "Do You Hear the People Sing" prefaced by the poignant harmonies from the trio of Kathleen, Bob and Nola, that the Choir gave their all to a wonderfully appreciative audience who filled the delightful Church on an equally delightful Winter's morning in Toowoomba. 

Few could not have been moved by Roland Cox's reverential rendition of Malotte's "The Lord's Prayer" nor Eric Von Nida's emotive performance of "Enemy of Apathy". Put to music, this is a beautiful poem which speaks of the Holy Spirit in the feminine gender.    Many memories and goose bumps surely would have been stirred during Bob Hardy's warm and tender performance of "Bluebird of Happiness" and Carolyn and Lloyd Kings' heart- tugging love montage from 'Les Misérables' was delivered with the sensitivity its words evoke.  As always, the musical gifts of Margaret Philp on piano and Suzanne Clemence on flute, individually and together added another depth of beauty to the Choir's performance.

 

Roland Cox  presenting 'The Lord's Prayer' supported by the Choir for the Amen.

Neither a first, nor, it is hoped a last, was the presence of Mr Bernie Snepp, a staunch supporter and friend of the Choir who has been giving the gift of his talents behind his recording device for 28 years, allowing the Choir to sound like the Choir they strive to be and putting that sound on CD for all to share for posterity.  Bernie, at the tender age of 88, now somewhat restricted with his mobility, has decided to go into early retirement.  His offer to record the Choir's performance on this day was both humbling and appreciated as was his own reaction on receiving the Choir's token of their gratitude and love.

 

Bernie Snepp - baptism of kisses

The sharing of music and singing is so much a part of what this Choir is about and to have been able to give this gift to Eva, her band of willing and welcoming 'Angels' and to such an appreciative audience at Toowoomba's Salvation Army was also a gift in return.

by: Sue Walker

A TOOWOOMBA TRADITION THAT LIGHTS UP OUR LIVES:

There are so many wonderful  traditions maintained by families which come to the fore at Christmas time.  One of them was born in Toowoomba 10 years ago when the Burstow Family of Burstow Funerals  had a dream of giving to a Community a reminder of the joys and wonder of Christmas; to create for all a delightful display of lights, provide supper and free give-aways for all the children.  In the giving of this gift to a Community, the Community has given in return.  So big has this event grown over the 10 years since its inception, it is now organized by the Lions Club and the funds raised through donations are for the benefit of so many worthwhile Charities such as Lifeline, whose resources are continually being  stretched to their limits especially at this time of year.

This twinkling Wonderland of Lights has now become very much a part of the Toowoomba Christmas landscape and  we of the ESK COMMUNITY CHOIR were again invited  to be a part of it.  From Centre Stage for an hour the Choir sang their Carols to an audience of Mums, Dads, Nannies, Pops and Children whose faces were lit up on a par with their surroundings which sent flashing lights and Christmas cheer into the evening skies.  This amazing twinkling Wonderland of Lights is a place where the joy could easily be measured  in wattage, but moreso by the exchanging of greetings, nods and smiles and the sharing of a magical experience and we of the Esk Community Choir felt  privileged to be able to contribute to what has become this wonderful tradition of Yuletide benevolence.

by: Sue Walker