12 June 2005
MEDIA RELEASE
AUSTRALIAN RUGBY CHOIR OFF TO SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
The Australian Rugby Choir will be singing at the Sydney Opera House on Monday 11th July at 8.00 pm. According to Musical Director Andrea Clifford: "This will be by far the biggest challenge that the Choir has faced - and the experience of a lifetime!".
Fortunately Andrea, a musically gifted member of the RMC Band, has had plenty of 'big gig' experiences, and has the Choir on track to 'peak' at the right time. Also, seventy five partners and friends have so far booked seats, so there will be plenty of moral support!
The Choir will be participating in a massed voice Gala Choral Concert which will be conducted by the legendary Dr Haydn James. He has conducted the annual massed voice concert at the Royal Albert Hall for the last twenty years, and the Sydney concert will have a similar format.
The Concert is based on the Lions Choir, a one hundred and ten member male voice choir which is currently touring New Zealand in support of the British Lions rugby team. Four Australian choirs have been invited to join them for a 'one-off' concert in Sydney on their way back to the UK.
The choral program is a challenging one. It includes works from Faust ("Soldiers Chorus"), Les Miserable ("Do you hear the people sing?") Rienzi ("Roman war song") and Nabucco ("Speed your journey"). Rising Australian tenor soloist Peter Brocklehurst will also be in the program.
According to Australia Rugby Choir President, Alastair Crombie: "The opportunity to sing at the Opera House has really galvanized the choir - we will never be the same again!". To help master the program, the choir has recently had a very successful weekend retreat at Camp Longbeach, near Batemans Bay, and several extra rehearsals. Choir members are using "Sibelius" audio software for the first time, to accelerate the learning of parts.
As well as singing at the Opera House, choir members are also looking forward to singing at two forthcoming rugby Tests at Telstra Stadium - against the Springboks on 9th July, and against the Kiwis in the Bledisloe Cup match on 13th August. This is the first time the choir has been invited by the ARU to sing at Test matches.
Those unable to get to the Opera House may like to note that choir will be performing their Opera House program in Canberra on 27th August. The occasion will be a fund raising Concert for the choir, and will be at the Wesley Uniting Church in Forrest.
EVENT:
The Lions Choir and Friends Gala Concert
Concert Hall
Sydney Opera House
Monday 11th July at 8.00 pm
Details from: www.sydneyoperahouse.com/
CONTACTS:
President, ARC
Alastair Crombie
mailto:
Tel: (02) 6230 2977
Musical Director, ARC
Andrea Clifford
Tel: 0421 840 778