A CELEBRATION OF CHORAL SINGING WITH THE BUNBURY MEN OF SONG

The Bunbury Men of Song 

 An unseasonal cool Monday night is rarely regarded as an appealing time for stepping out but on Monday night, 7th July, it took more than chilly temperatures to stop the music lovers from Esk and surrounds pouring into the Somerset Civic Centre when Western Australia's Bunbury Men of Song, en route to the Pemulwuy National Male Voice Festival in Brisbane, came to town for a collaboration of Choral sounds with the Esk Community Choir.

Sustained with a sumptuous pre-concert meal provided by the Choir ladies from Esk, the 38 member Bunbury Choir, under the outstanding direction of Conductor, Ian Mills and brilliant talents of Accompanist, Greg Ross, did not, as they suggested, have to "sing for their supper" but sing they did for the sheer joy of it. With a vast repertoire of mellifluous harmonies amid commissioned songs by Australian Composer, Paul Jarman, some familiar pieces by Lennon and McCartney, Leonard Cohen and others, their two brackets of songs spoke of the essence and enjoyment that Choral singing is all about.  Their heartfelt rendition of Men of Song was a true reflection of the delight and fellowship that being a member of this exceptional Male Choir can bring.

What a Wonderful World was the theme of the evening and from the looks on the faces of Concert goers, many fortified by a glass of wine upon arrival in the Civic Centre's Joan Burke Room, it truly was a time for celebration.  This Concert, coming hot on the heel of the Esk Touring Choir's return from their overseas odyssey was a testament to the motivation, patience and inspired direction of Alexis FitzGerald and Accompanist extraordinaire, Margaret Philp, both of whom possess talents that know no bounds.  

The Semitones

The sensational little Semitones again set the bar with their opening Anthem followed by their rollickin

g rendition of "On With the Show" after which the members of the Esk Community Choir did just that as they took to the choir risers with their own brackets of sublime singing. The Esk Men, perhaps uplifted by the sounds of the Bunbury Men, were superlative with their performance of Lloyd Webber's 'Til I Hear You Sing.   

The Concert climax, the collaboration of the massed voices for the final two numbers, What a Wonderful World and A Canon of Praise was engaging for Choristers and audience members alike, allowing all who were present to be a part of something quite remarkable in Choral singing.

The Bunbury Men of Song , under the baton of Ian Mills

If this performance has whetted your appetites for more, set aside September 6th at the Somerset Civic Centre for "Cocktails and Classics.  So, glam up for an evening of charm and grace with the Esk Community Choir and Davonski Concert Orchestra! 

By: Susan Walker

More details forthcoming.

THE SEMITONES "SING INTO SPRING"

The Semitones Singing into Spring

On Sunday, September 8th, it was not just the flush of perfect weather which brought friends and families out and about in Esk but the songs of The Semitones and featured guests whose warmth of sound provided a joyful entrée to the season with their "Sing Into Spring" held in the Joan Burke Room, the backdrop and splendour of which spoke of the spectacle about to unfold at the Somerset Civic Centre.

It is a true measure of her love and passion for music, singing and the continuum of the music culture in the Somerset Region, the genesis of which began 35 years ago with the formation of her Esk Community Choir, that Alexis has devoted her time and talents to nurture and polish the musical skills of this new generation of little songsters to a place and time which has allowed them the performance discipline and talents to shine in their own rite... And on this day, along with the always alluring piano accompaniment by Margaret, shine they certainly did!! The joyous energy and enthusiasm for singing was tangible as these 12 little Semitones began by taking their audience back through many of their performance songs that have been thrilling concert goers since their formation as a Choral Ensemble  five years ago.

Excerpts from "Oliver" were sprinkled with sublime solos and duets from Ticky, Joshua, Carley, Nedi, Jessica and Seth as were they later from Layla, Sophie and Kaitlin through their delightful performance of "The Alphabet Song".   

Katie, the cutest little Bird Lady to hit the stage,  with her rendition of "Feed the Birds" from Mary Poppins,  left the audience in no doubt of the depth of the musical talent that trickles through her veins. 

From members of the Esk Choir, some upbeat "Courtin'" advice in a solo from Sue Walker and Esk's very own 'Frankie and Bing' in the form of Graeme Lynch and Bob Hardy with "High Society"'s irrepressible duet "Well Did You Evah!" both adding another dimension to the quality entertainment, while the 2013 Esk Ensemble made their debut with some exhilarating harmonies to the obvious enjoyment of the audience.  

The "Scherzi" ladies with their lively and colourful interpretation of "All That Jazz" proved there is never an age limit to unadulterated enjoyment of song and dance and then it was back to some sanity with the mellifluous new sounds from The Semitones.   

Aydan's growing stage confidence and vocal talents were truly evident during his sterling performance of "Les Poissons" from the Little Mermaid.  From Emily's faultless pianoforte performance at the outset through the purity of her voice in "A Bushbird in a Blue Gum Tree" to her polished characterisation of "Bustopher Jones" from Cats and her heart-warming duet performance of "I Praise You Lord" with sister Katie, she is already a star whose brilliance will continue to inspire her generation and light up audiences for a very long time.

"Pass Me By" from Father Goose heralded the Finalé to this captivating afternoon of singing but a title of mere words when it relates to The Semitones' next appearance, for no one will be wanting to pass by when these 13 little stars perform alongside Esk Community Choir as well as some amazing guest Choirs at this year's best ever Annual Christmas Concert on December 8th.

by: Sue Walker 

MUSIC ACROSS THE GENERATIONS..

Front Row: Ethan Versace, Emily FitzGerald.
Middle L-R: Joshua FitzGerald, Carley Kunde, Jessica Versace, Layla Kunde, Katie FitzGerald, Ticky and Nedi Granzien
Back: Aydan Forsyth. 

If you can't take the people to the Concert then you take the Concert to the people....or, in this case,  a special part of the Annual Christmas Concert to some very special people.

And so it was that ten little "Semitones", with their musical  mentor, Alexis FitzGerald,  accompanist, Margaret Philp and a bunch of proud Mums and Dads, traveled to Toogoolawah on the afternoon of 20th November to perform for some of the residents of Alkira Retirement Home some of the evergreen excerpts from "Oliver" .  They were given a warm reception as the Children, with some goose-bump singing of their songs, solos and duets, went through their paces in preparation for their opening performance at this year's  Esk Community Choir  22nd Annual Christmas Variety Concert.  Music all Theatre lovers were excited and delighted by the children's performances and some  fond old memories revived .    It's easy to be carried away by the energy and enthusiasm of these talented little Choristers and those at Alkira who were privileged to be present for the "Semitones"  presentation were no exception.  The children's voices in song were  equally matched by the obvious enjoyment of their audience.

For almost 35 years, the Esk Community Choir has been injecting a culture of music in its many forms to the Somerset Region and beyond and it is these little Choristers of a new generation, some of whom have now been singing together for four years, who hold the key to this culture's continuity.

by Susan Walker

www.eskcomchoir.webs.com

SINGING TO INSPIRE THE GENERATIONS IN ESK

by: Sue Walker

Music is a universal language. It is present in us all.   It crosses boundaries, borders, impairments and generations and on Tuesday 4th September in the Esk State School Music Room, Alexis FitzGerald and her Esk Community Choir along with Adam Smith's Senior School Choir represented some of those generations inspired by music.

Children as young as five years old, part of the singing group, the "Semitones", opened the afternoon's proceedings with a heartfelt rendition of the National Anthem and everyone present could not help but be impressed with nine year old Aydan Forsyth's fabulous rendition of the lovely old Australian song "Ten Thousand Miles Away".   

Alexis then proceeded, with the help of some physical aids, to explain to the children what it means to be “a choir ".  It was with a certain degree of relief amongst the "oldies” that most of the questions were capably dealt with by the kids!!   The generations combined to very capably perform a couple of three part rounds which raised the roof with some truly mellifluous harmonies.  Then the Esk Community Choir presented the kids with a new twist on "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" and appropriately completed the hour with their stirring rendition of “We Are a Choir".

It is from these wonderful learning opportunities and reinforcements that children carry their love of music into adulthood, the physical and mental benefits of which speak for themselves.  You only have to come to Choir practice at St Agnes's Hall at 7pm on any Tuesday night to see that I am right!!

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