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Well, what a busy year - from our 4 week delayed start in March to last night’s Cricket Club gig; with one more to go!
So much has happened in our ‘Concert Ready’ choir's two semesters: ANZAC Day Service, welcoming Emma in May, Connor’s Run in September, involvement with Bayside Expo and our huge Spring Concert in October, Sandy Beach Friday Social Club Concert plus their 40th Birthday Concert, the Mayflower Uke Concert in November, Bayside Carols in the Park, Hampton Cricket Club in December – and Christmas Eve to go. Phew!
We acquired two pianos! Now we're down to one! We received a Bayside Council grant towards running our Spring Concert; we practised safe singing for most of the year; learnt a huge repertoire ranging from ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy to ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ and all of this guided by our amazing M.D., Bill, and Accompanist, Emma.
Sincere thank you's go to Bill and Emma for their inspirational and enthusiastic leadership. Thanks also go to Russel together with ever reliable ‘roadie’ Rob Tunnock, helped by Allan Lowry and Algis Hutchison and to all who assist at rehearsal nights with equipment and chairs. The amount of equipment we have now is quite remarkable and it takes quite a lot of setting up for the larger engagements.
Thanks also to Carolyn McIntyre who keeps up supplies and looks after our ‘cuppa’ each week at rehearsals, assisted by Michele Connell when Carolyn is away.
For many years Lidia Maslin has looked after the ‘Carols in the Park’ silver and red scarves and made sure they were aired and folded when required. Lidia is handing this role on to someone else now, so if anyone wishes to be the ‘scarves’ guardian, please let me know. They are with me at the moment and I would be quite happy to hand pass them a new home! Kerry Holmquest is the proud 'keeper' of the colourful ones we wore at the Spring Concert!
MESSAGE FROM BILL
Vocally Wild Bunch.
It has been a great delight to work with each of you this year and to be a part of the considerable development and elevation of the standard of our choir. All best wishes to you and your families for a joyous holiday season and a safe and prosperous 2023.
Bill, Music Director.
AND FROM RUSSEL
Vocally Wild has gone from strength to strength in 2023. We started off a bit shakily then found our feet with Bill at the helm and Emma on the oars. The concert in the town hall in October was terrific, and the year culminated with Carols in the Park, and the Xmas party for the Cricket Club. Well done everyone. 2023 will be bigger and better!
Russel, President.
Only two Diary Dates remain, but Committee will meet up in mid-January and will be planning a ‘Welcome’ Social for some time early in Term 1, 2023. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, please pass them on!
| DATE |
DETAIL |
Saturday, 24th December.
10.00 - 11.00 a.m.
Santa arrives at around 10.30 a.m. |
Rotary Christmas Market, Tres Bit Oval, Jetty Road, Sandringham. Bill to accompany us on guitar. Booklet of carols available - come along if you have time! |
| Tuesday, 7th February, 2023 |
Term 1 Commences, 7.30 p.m. Beaumaris. |
BAYSIDE CAROLS IN THE PARK
After an uncertain start in planning earlier in the year, this event proved to be a huge success after a weather-worrying morning! Thank you to everyone who took part and sang their hearts out – the choir looked and sounded wonderful and it was such a joy to be performing again with the Southern Area Concert Band - wasn’t Andrew Mathers’ replacement, Frank Ulm, an amazing last minute conductor? Special thanks from all of us to Bayside Councillor, Jo Samuel King and State M.P., James Newbury who both supported the full choir’s return to ‘Carols’ so enthusiastically.
Thank you again to Bill whose role in this year’s Carols was enormous; he took it all in his stride, inspiring and teaching us to sing at this level, plus working with a band conductor he had never met until the night! Thank you, too, to Emma who rehearsed all those songs and carols with us.
Here's a beautiful, happy, cheerful photo of a group of Second Sopranos at the Carols After-Party.
FEES 2023.
You will be hearing from Cherry in a little while, but this is a reminder that fees for 2023 will be $240 per Semester.
GENERAL
- If any non-members who sang with us at the Carols in the Park still have the on-loan folders and music, please could these be returned either to choir on our first day back in February, or dropped off to either Maggie or myself. (See email addresses at end of newsletter).
- If you happened to take home someone else’s folder from the Cricket Club, either let Maggie or I know, or bring it to Choir in February.
- 3 blue scarves left for sale - $25.
- We’re still looking for a ‘home’ for our choir risers trailer, so if anyone knows of an unused, safe, under cover space or garage please contact Russel.
- If new members are interested in the history of the Choir, or any other Choir information, photos, videos, songs,etc. have a look on the Vocally Wild website, vocallywild.org.au Also, keep a look out for Cherry’s Facebook posts, they are always fun and interesting. If you have trouble accessing the Member section of the website, please make contact.
FESTIVAL OF CHOIRS TASMANIA, JUNE/JULY 2023
This is an annual event where choirs from throughout Australia meet in Tasmania for a non-competitive joy-filled festival. Choirs get to sing in a welcoming, inclusive environment, perform in unusual settings and attend special festival events. There are Pop-Up programmes; singing in the Festival Singers’ Lounge; the Big Sing Bonfire; MONA Flash Mob, etc. not forgetting the wonderful Salamanca Market. All activities held in Hobart are usually within a reasonable walking distance.
A trip had been planned for 2020, which sadly had to be cancelled due to Covid, but we are now looking at the possibility of V.W. attending in 2023 for 3 or 4 nights. So, during the holidays have a look at the online details, and when we return in February we’ll ask for expressions of interest; there will be time to register and plan, if we decide to go.
https://festivalofvoices.com/act/touring-choirs-2023-registration/
JUDITH DURHAM WORDS
Has anyone heard or seen the new lyrics to an old tune?
Australians let us stand as one, upon this sacred land
A new day dawns, we’re moving on to trust and understand.
Combine our ancient history and cultures everywhere,
To bond together for all time, advance Australia fair.
With joyful hearts then let us sing, advance Australia fair.
Australians let us all be one, with peace and harmony.
Our precious water, soil and sun, grant life for you and me.
Our land abounds in nature’s gifts to love, respect and share,
And honouring the Dreaming, advance Australia fair.
With joyful hearts then let us sing, advance Australia fair.
Australians let us strive as one, to work with willing hands.
Our Southern Cross will guide us on, as friends with other lands.
While we embrace tomorrow’s world with courage, truth and care,
And all our actions prove the words, advance Australia fair,
With joyful hearts then let us sing, advance Australia fair.
And when this special land of ours is in our children’s care,
From shore to shore forever more, advance Australia fair.
With joyful hearts then let us sing, advance . . Australia . . fair.
Words by Judith Durham. Additional Words by Kutcha Edwards, Lou Bennett, Camilla Cahnce and Bill Hauritz Based on words by P.D. McCormick (1878). Music by Peter Dodds McCormick
ROD CRIPPS' LETTER TO 'THE AGE'
You are most likely to find Rod's letter very interesting:
THERE ARE SO MANY TALENTED VOCALLY WILDERS!
Here are two stunning abstract medium varnished acrylic pieces by
Cecilia Stone,entitled 'Fran's blooms'. The textures are amazing.
and here's Jan Gooding's wonderful portrait of her beautiful 'Minnie'
Remember to kiss and cuddle a friend for Christmas ..
and join our National Treasure, Mr. Leunig and his friends, for a whimsical, musical and peaceful holiday!
THE VOCALLY WILD COMMITTEE WISHES YOU ALL A SAFE, WONDERFUL AND JOLLY CHRISTMAS
AND LOOKS FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL AGAIN IN 2023.
Bill Miles (Music Director)
Emma Lippa (Accompanist)
Russel Barnes (President)
Julie Sergienko (Treasurer)
Pat Lowry (Secretary)
Cherry Tunnock (Membership Secretary
Maggie Cripps (Music Production & Management)
Kerry Holmquest
John Barlow
Vocally Wild Choir proudly acknowledges the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land, and we pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging.
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