Tudor Choristers sing Nowell

ONE of Melbourne’s best known and loved choral groups, the Tudor Choristers, will delight Ballarat with a feast of Christmas songs and music when they visit the Anglican Cathedral on Sunday, 15 December.

Vice-president of the Tudor Choristers, Ross Fairhurst, said he was pleased to bring the Tudor Choristers to Ballarat.

“I have a long association with Ballarat and love its vibrant musical heritage,” he said. “Our Christmas program has been chosen to include well known and much-loved movements from great composers as well as traditional Christmas carols, where the audience will be encouraged to join in.

“The Tudor Choristers Recorder Consort will be playing a range of Christmas pieces. There really is something for everyone.”

The Tudor Choristers was established in 1962 and since 2017 has been directed by Dr Kathleen McGuire. It has gained an enviable reputation, having performed with most of Australia’s leading concert organisations, including the ABC, Musica Viva, the Victorian Arts Centre and the Victorian Arts Council.

Performing under such notable guest conductors as Sir David Willcocks and Philip Ledger, and undertaking tours of New Zealand and North America, has confirmed the group ranking as one of Australia’s pre-eminent choral ensembles.

McGuire has directed choral and instrumental ensembles on international stages including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Centre and Sydney Opera House. She returned to Australia in 2013 and in addition to conducting and composing she’s a lecturer in the Faculty of Education and Arts at Australian Catholic University.

The Tudor Choristers will play one show on Sunday, 15 December from 2pm at Cathedral Church of Christ the King, Lydiard Street South, Ballarat. Tickets are $20 with children under 12 free. Bookings can be made at the Cathedral office or via 5331 1183, and tickets are available on the day.