22 April 2014
ARC President Neil Fleming, on behalf of the committee has announced the appointment of Dr Jonathan Powles as the new Musical Director. Academically, Jonathan is exceptionally well qualified and he brings to the position a wealth of music teaching and orchestral and choral directing experience in the UK and Australia.
In selecting an MD the committee was in the enviable position of deciding between two highly credible applicants in Jonathan Powles and Rachel Campbell. Consequently Rachel has been appointed as an Assistant MD. Rachel joined the choir in May last year and in Term 1 2014 led the choir as the Interim Musical Director in a highly dedicated and exemplary fashion. The culmination of which was her leading of the choir in Orange in a most successful Regional Concert.
The committee has also decided to formally resume the musical and professional relationship with Sara Carvalho who has had considerable working and performing links with the ARC over the years. Sara will also be an Assistant MD.
The committee believes that the ARC should feel privileged that three such talented professionals are at the musical helm; to complement the ever-reliable contributions of our accompanist Karen da Silva. The ARC is in a position to maintain and expand upon the musical and choral performances of recent years. The choir is in a very healthy position in this regard.