Chorale concert set to celebrate 10 years of song

THE Barwon Heads Chorale will celebrate their 10th anniversary with a “Decadence” concert next weekend.

Part of the City of Greater Geelong Seniors’ Festival, the “Decadence” concert (Decade + cadence) will feature music from stage and screen, plus the odd cheeky classical piece.

Entry is by $5 (minimum) donation, with all funds raised from the event going to the local branch of the SES.

The concert will be followed by a sumptuous afternoon tea, allowing performers and audience members a good chance to celebrate this momentous anniversary.

Member Dawn Cunningham said the Barwon Heads Chorale was the creation and vision of well-known local resident and music lover Jo Larson, who spent much of 2008 walking up to complete strangers in Barwon Heads and asking them if they enjoyed singing and wanted to join a choir.

“She also bulldozed chorale director Natale Lewington and accompanist Hazel Mitchell into joining… let’s just say ‘no’ was never going to be the correct answer!” Ms Cunningham said.

“All jokes aside, what started as a small, shy group of 25 people singing at the annual Christmas carols in December 2008, has now grown to over 75 people who flawlessly execute music such as Handel’s ‘Messiah’, Andrews Sisters numbers, hits of Broadway and popular music from all eras.”

Ms Cunningham said with the retirement of Ms Mitchell at the end of 2015, choir member Sara Brownell took up the challenge of working as accompanist for the Chorale.

“The Chorale draws members from all over the Bellarine, the Surf Coast and the greater Geelong area, with some members travelling from Melbourne and Ballarat to attend rehearsals.

“Singing in three- or four-part harmony, the Chorale goes from strength to strength each year.

“The enjoyment of singing in harmony with others has demonstrated therapeutic effects, and additionally the social aspect of each week’s rehearsal sometimes leaves your sides aching from laughter.

“Much fun is had, along with learning terrific music.”

The “Decadence” concert will be held at the Barwon Heads Community Hall on October 13 at 2.30pm.

“Many thanks go to the Barwon Heads branch of the Bendigo Bank and the City of Greater Geelong for supporting this event,” Ms Cunningham said.

For more information on the Chorale, head to barwonheadsfinemusic.org.au.

Meanwhile, rehearsals run from 7.30-9pm every Tuesday evening in All Saints Church on Hitchcock Avenue, Barwon Heads.

All concerts run by the Chorale are fundraisers for charity, with previous concert funds going towards the CFA, Red Cross Flood Relief, Legacy, the Salvos and the Queenscliff Cottage by the Sea.