The Camdenville Community Choir grew to include a wider group of people, coming together every Thursday night to experience the joy of singing choral music from around the world. Over the past four-and-a-bit years, the group has welcomed newcomers and farewelled friends.
Andreas returned to Berlin to complete his studies in 2013, and Brad Gilchrist took on the task of leading the motley crew with a new vibrancy. Brad is a multi-talented musician and teacher and has introduced the choir to friends from Sydney’s classical music community.
Brad has maintained the love of singing music from many countries, and the group still loves the challenge of learning the different languages of each song.
The repertoire has included Swedish, Norwegian, Russian, German, Spanish, Italian and Latin songs, and the beautiful Scottish folk song “Auld Lang Syne”.
“The overwhelming feeling that comes from this choir is the sense of community,” says choir member Kate McLean. “Meeting every Thursday night for four years means that we’ve gotten to know lots about each other and are there to share in the everyday joys and sadness that we all go through. We have now had numerous concerts that always give us that extra inspiration to rise to the occasion.
“Being involved in the choir has highlighted and developed skills in all of us. The first few pieces of music we were given way back in 2011 seemed daunting and we couldn’t imagine ever grasping them. Now we welcome new songs and definitely seem to learn them much quicker. In addition to gaining confidence in our singing, we’ve also discovered other hidden talents within the group. Our quarterly ‘Sunday Intensive’ rehearsals would never be complete without an afternoon tea spread of home-cooked goodies, and our Christmas parties have become a showcase of the culinary skills of all members of the choir. Maybe our next venture will be a recipe book to accompany each song!”
The choir recorded and launched its first CD in 2012 at the South Sydney Uniting Church (56a Raglan Street, Waterloo), another place that celebrates local community. “We are delighted to be returning to the church for our winter concert on June 13 at 6pm,” Kate says.
This free concert will feature a smorgasbord of songs from around the world, some well known, some less so, but all of them selected for the beauty of the music and the joy of being performed. The Camdenville Community Choir will be performing together with a small number of guest musicians.
