Choir returns with mystical music

THE Australian Boys Choir is returning to Ballarat next month in partnership with Ballarat Central Uniting Church, and in support of Lifeline.

This is the second time the choir will perform in Ballarat this year and they will be playing Five Mystical Songs by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

“This is our first time performing at the Uniting Church in Ballarat, which is well-known for its terrific acoustics and the magnificent historical Fincham organ dating back to the 1800s,” said artistic director Nicholas Dinopoulos.

The choir will be joined by the Vocal Consort and Australian Boys Choir old boy Lachlan McDonald as baritone soloist.

“Lachie has just the perfect voice for the baritone role in this magnificent piece, and the boys are extremely excited to be singing alongside one of their own,” said Dinopoulos.

“You can’t be what you can’t see, after all.”

Playing alongside the choir will also be Dr Calvin Bowman, one of Australia’s leading organ virtuosos.

“Calvin Bowman is a brilliant mind,” said Dinopoulos.

“He’s renowned for his work as an organist, pianist and as an astonishing composer.

“He has performed the complete organ works of Bach in public twice, most recently in 2009 where he performed them in a single seventeen-hour sitting.”

The program will also include Rejoice in the Lamb and Hymn to St Cecilia by Benjamin Britten, as well as Two Best Things by the young Australian composer Alice Chance.

Chance’s work was written especially for the Australian Boys Choir and tells the story of a family escaping a bushfire.

“It’s been wonderful to be able to maintain our series of concerts in Ballarat for the last few years performing in some magnificent venues in the city,” said Dinopoulos.

“It’s definitely something we’re intending to continue.”

Mystical Songs will be on Saturday 3 August at Ballarat Central Uniting Church from 3pm until 4.30pm. To book tickets visit australianboyschoir.com.au.