In 2007 the choir performed 'The Creation' by Haydn, with full orchestra and soloists. This was a wonderful performance and a fitting farewell to our musical director Rita Paczian, who contributed so much in her two years with us. We wish her well in her future musical pursuits. We also farewell our accompanist, Lyn Bartholomew, who contributed in so many ways to the success of the choir.
The choir's first concert after appointment of our new conductor, Adrian King, was one of variety: Musical Treats From Around the World, in August 2007. Adrian brings with him a wealth of talent and experience from the English choral tradition, and he has quickly established a reputation for bringing excitement and fulfilment fro both choristers and the audience. Sincere thanks to local pianist and teacher, Fay Baker, for her accompanying this concert.
At the time of rehearsals for the choir's next concert, Conservatorium of Music lecturer and distinguished performer, Huguette Brassine, obliged as the choir's accompanist for a year. Handel's very familiar and much-loved oratorio, Messiah was performed at Lake Kawana Community Centre and again, at the Noosa Bicentennial Hall on the weekend 24-25 November 2007.
The first public concert for 2008 comprised two work's by Contemporary English composer, John Rutter: his Magnificat, and Mass of the Children, in which students from Matthew Flinders Anglican College joined the choir. This joint venture proved very successful, and the audience's appreciation of these modern works with their haunting melodies and reminders of past musical ideas was overwhelming.
In October, the Choir presented a rare Handel performance, the oratorio, Samson. This was a definite first for the Sunshine Coast. With a 26 piece orchestra and four professional soloists, this concert exuded pathos and drama and this well known Old Testament story kept the attention of the appreciative audience to the last note.
2008 ended on a high, with a packed auditorium participating with the Choir and the Sunshine Coast Symphony Orchestra in a Best Of British evening. With guest soloist, Hans Georg Wimmer, this program was in the tradition of the BBC Proms with an international flavour. Flag waving, funny hats, streamers, and balloons - there was something for everyone, no matter from where they came.
Vivaldi, being a perennial favourite, proved a good choice of composer by our musical director for the choir's first major concert of 2009. Vivaldi's Gloria in D led the program, followed by his rousing Double Trumpet Concerto, and finally the lesser-known Dixit Dominus. The choir and instrumentalist were all in fine form and the concert was a brilliant success.
In June of 2009, the Choir participated in three combined concerts. Nine choirs performed individual items in the annual Sunshine Coast Choral Festival. Then all combined to sing as a mass choir, concluding with Handel's Hallelujah Chorus.
The Q150 Celebration Concert highlighted Queensland's 150 years of statehood, with a matinee concert in conjunction with Buderim Male Voice Choir and the Sunshine Coast Symphony Orchestra. From well known Australian folk songs such as Click Go The Shears through to classical excerpts, the Choral Society filled the hearts of audience with pride. Especially well appreciated was the performance of Together In Unity, composed by a member of the Choir, Keith Bartholomew.
At the end of June, the Choral Society joined with Stella Maris Choir and the Buderim Male Voice Choir in a benefit concert to support musical director of the BMVC, Ross Jelf, to study choral conducting at the London School of Music for two years.
The Choral Society's next concert will be Rossini's Petite Messe Solonnelle (Little Solemn Mass) at Lake Kawana Musical Centre, 7pm on Saturday 12 September.
