The Gisborne Singers cabaret style evening of lighter music has been a feature of our annual program since the days of Jane McGeorge. Many singers had always wanted to have a go at singing a solo and never had an opportunity. Thus the evening started as a chance for these folk to express their musical talents in front of a small, sympathetic audience of family and close friends. This evolved to include whole choir performance and for a larger range of music other than songs from the small groups. The choir put in ideas of pieces they would like to sing. It’s fascinating to see the range of talents that our choristers show which cannot be seen when the choir performs as a whole. The standard of presentations has improved over time which reflects three factors: first, proposals are now auditioned; second, performers are more self critical; and third perhaps rehearse more thoroughly. Of course the bean counters realised that this formula lent a chance to raise funds by increasing the size of the audience and charging for the privilege of witnessing our fine work! This is a big change on the original philosophy of the choir doing what they wanted. However our Christmas party is now a return to the original cabaret idea and gives opportunity for performance under less pressure. 
The program developed into a night of many and varied items: solos, duets, small groups, instrumentals, even dance and recitations. It also became an opportunity for the choir to try a mixture of less formal choral pieces. An MC introduces and in some cases even provided an almost ‘stand up’ element to the proceedings. More recently amplification was seen as an impreovement considering the size and shape of the venue, especially for some of the quieter small group pieces. 
For the last few years there have been five brackets: three by the choir and two by the soloists and small groups. This arrangement is repeated this year with the women preparing some pieces on their own, the men likewise, adding variety and interest. 
Audience and performers arrive from 6.30pm for a 7 o’clock start and sit at large round tables of about ten. They bring and share food and drink during the night. 2018 promises much, there are still some places available – but hurry.

The next Gisborne Singers concerts will feature a 23 year old former Gisborne resident. Rosemary  Cocklin will sing the soprano solo in Karl Jenkins’ Cantata Memoria – For the Children.   Rosie first became keen on singing at the age of 12 and has completed her Bachelor of Music (Honours) at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.  Currently with Opera Scholars Australia, she has performed lead roles in a variety of works, with credits including a 2016 National Liederfest finals award, a scholarship with the Melbourne Bach Choir, and is the founder and curator of local musical ensemble Youth of Today. A former choir member since the age of 15, Rosie returns to the Gisborne Singers in her new role; one which the Musical Director and choir are anticipating with delight. The choir will perform with professional orchestra and local children’s choir in this exciting venture (which is also the Australian Premiere)

A description of the music of Cantata Memoria adapted from a review of the 2017 New York performance.

Quoting the composer- “The work is in two distinct sections but performed continuously. The first deals with the tragedy and the immediate aftermath, and the second moves from darkness to light, reliving memories and celebrating childhood, ending with the Lux aeterna.” He also states that it “is not a documentary, nor even a dramatization, but it does include ideas and facts that were relevant and by now part of the legacy.”

The music may not be a dramatization (as per the composer), but there are musical “suggestions” of events, i.e. the rumbling in the opening movement Pitran, patran foreshadowing the collapse of the coal spoil tip.

The names of all the victims are recited in the third movement Cortège (in a chant-like manner on a B-flat throughout). It was a reminder that this tragedy was not just about the numbers lost, but the very real lives snuffed out, the majority of them just beginning. Combined with the footage of the funerals, with countless tiny coffins, it was heartbreaking. Cortège ended with the baritone soloist quoting the denunciation by a victim’s father, “Buried alive by the National Coal Board.”

Lament to the Valley which follows is hauntingly beautiful; the Lament may well be the highlight of the Cantata.
The bird-like soprano piece Did I hear a bird? is delightful.

Of the remaining sections, we should single out And-a half as a favourite, with the child-like “one-upmanship” the theme which only could make one laugh and smile.

The final movement, Lux aeterna, is “borrowed” from the Requiem. Ending with the soprano soloist singing the word “Light,” the circle from darkness to light was closed.

 Cantata Memoria is a work that takes the listener to the depths of despair and heartache, then lifts them back out with a message of hope and light. It is an incredibly moving experience.

Bookings are easiest via the links on this website: go to the “Home” page.
Robert can help with bookings 03 5428 7033.

We give advanced notice of our next concerts in May. We are excited to announce the performance of the Australian premiere of Cantata Memoria by Welsh composer Sir Karl Jenkins.  The work, written in 2016, commemorates the 50th anniversary of the mining tragedy in Aberfan, Wales.  This is the music that 22 of the choir performed at Carnegie Hall, New York in 2017. In the disaster, a coal spoil tip descended on the village, burying the primary school and surrounding houses; resulting in the deaths of 116 children and 28 adults. It was not only the disaster itself, but the following insensitive bungling by authorities, and lack of prosecution of the National Coal Board and employees which has cast this tragedy deep within the Welsh psyche. The work is a deeply moving piece; sensitively and beautifully written. 

The choir will combine with a professional orchestra, a local children’s choir and two soloists. Musical Director Stephen Brockman is delighted to announce that our soprano soloist is a young local former choir member, Rosemary Cocklin, who is returning for her first solo performance with us. The baritone soloist is long time favourite Manfred Pohlenz. Stephen and Margaret Brockman have been working on the mammoth task of reducing the original score to suit a smaller orchestra.  
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2018 Sunday concert dates are 20 May at Gisborne and 27 May at Kyneton; both starting at 3.00pm.

Bookings are easiest via the links on this website: go to the “Home” page.
Robert can help with bookings 03 5428 7033.

The next performance by the Gisborne Singers will be their first major work by the 19th Century German composer, Johannes Brahms. Brahms “A German Requiem” is one of the world’s great choral works which speaks to audiences of all or no faiths with its recurring themes of sympathy and comfort.

It is known as “A German Requiem” because, unlike many choral requiems, it uses lyrics from the Lutheran Bible, rather than the Catholic Mass. The composer said that the work was intended to comfort the living, rather than remember the dead.

This is the first major performance for 2017 for the Macedon Ranges based choir, The Gisborne Singers, following two sold out performances of Handel’s Messiah at the end of 2016.

Musical Director Stephen Brockman said that the Brahms Requiem is a beautiful and intense work which will appeal to audiences in the Macedon Ranges. “Our audience has enthusiastically supported our concerts in recent years, from Handel to Beethoven right through to contemporary composers such as Sir Karl Jenkins. We look forward to sharing this intense, moving and yet very accessible work,” he said.

The choir will be joined by two of their favourite soloists, soprano Lee Abrahmsen and bass Manfred Pohlenz with a full orchestra. The entire work will be sung in English.

The first performance is at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, Kyneton at 3pm on Sunday 21 May. The second performance is at Gisborne Church of Christ, at 3pm on Sunday 28 May. Please book online at www.gisbornesingers.org.au or phone 0413003254. Tickets are $40 for adults with discounts for concessions and students.
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ARRANGE PHOTOGRAPHS PLEASE CONTACT ROBERT BLAIR  03 5428 7033