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Christopher
Allan
Musical Director
Newcastle University Choir
Chris has been around choirs for most of
his life. After singing in his school choir he joined
the Newcastle Cathedral Choir at 18 and became immersed in
the world of Anglican Church Music. He later sang at
St James Church, King St (Sydney). Naturally, he became
interested in conducting choirs and has successfully worked
as a youth choir director (NBN Children's Choir), as
director of the Newcastle Conservatorium Student Choir, and
directed Newcastle University Choir from 2000 -2004. As
well he has been the guest conductor of Sydney based chamber
choir, Coro Innominata. Chris still enjoys singing in
an ensemble and performs regularly in the Newcastle based group
Waxing Lyrical. Further from home he sings regularly
with the professional ensemble Cantillation in concert and
on recording. For many years he was guest artist with
The Song Company (1994- 2001) and in the inaugural ACO Voices
touring with them in performances of Messiah, the Requiem of
Mozart and Bach's Magnificat. On a bigger stage,
Chris has performed as chorus member of Opera Australia in
many productions.
His day-job is as a senior lecturer in
Voice at the University of Newcastle, where he has taught since
1995. He also manages to sing concerts as a soloist with
groups such Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Willoughby Choir, Canberra
Chorale and Newcastle University Choir. Chris enjoys
presenting recitals and has performed in Sydney, Canberra and
Newcastle with Australian pianist and composer Nigel Butterley
in works by Butterley, Liszt and Schumann. Chris' interests
in vocal teaching lie in a holistic approach that involves
body, mind and spirit of the student. He is delighted
to once again be working with the Newcastle University Choir.
^ top
Jennifer
Barnes
Musical
Director Emeritus
Newcastle University Choir
Dr Jennifer Barnes is the Musical Director for the Newcastle
University Choir in 2009-10. Jennifer is well known to Hunter
audiences for her solo performances in opera and oratorio.
Jennifer Barnes began
her career with oratorio. She has built an impressive repertoire
in this genre, ranging from popular works such as Handel's "Messiah" and
Bach's "St.
Matthew Passion" to David Fanshawe's "African Sanctus".
She has performed as soloist with the Sydney Philharmonia,
Newcastle University Choir, Newcastle City Choir and Gosford
Philharmonia. Jennifer was a finalist in the 1999 City of Melbourne
Song Recital Award , winning the Best Performance of an Australian
Song and equal first in the Best Musical Partnership. Opera
performance includes principal roles with Opera Hunter, Opera
Queensland, Sydney Metropolitan Opera, Sound Construction Company,
Sydney Festival and Opera Australia. In 1995, Jennifer won
a CONDA for the best performance by a professional actress
for her Opera Hunter Season as Cio-Cio San in Puccini's " Madama
Butterfly ". Jennifer has been awarded a PhD. for her
research into the operatic soprano voice. In 2008, Jennifer
directed and conducted Leonard Bernstein's "Trouble in
Tahiti" for Opera Hunter, in addition to performing the
role of Cleopatra in their production of Handel's " Julius
Caesar" : Jennifer also leads the organising committee
for the Sunday Interlude concert series at Adamstown Uniting
Church and conducts a private studio. The Choir enjoys a dynamic
and exciting musical experience under her direction.
^ top
Philip
John Sketchley OAM
B. Mus. Ed., D.S.C.M., L. Mus. A., L.T.C.L.
Accompanist Newcastle University Choir 2009
Philip was born in Lismore, beginning his musical studies
at the age of seven. His family moved to Newcastle in 1958
and after gaining his Leaving Certificate at Newcastle Boy's
High School he entered the Newcastle Conservatorium Diploma
of Music Education course. He graduated in 1968 with a Dip.
Mus. Ed., L.T.C.L.., L. Mus. A., and taught in various high
schools and at the Conservatorium. In 1993 he was appointed
Hall and Concert Manager at the Conservatorium.
During his 25 years of Secondary School teaching he was
involved in all aspects of music education and its promotion
in the community. He was music consultant for the Newcastle
region for three years as well as the coordinator for the
Secondary Choral festival and a member of the Committee for
the Australian Society for Music Education.
Philip is well known
as a pianist, conductor and musical director, having been
involved with many local music groups: these include Lake
Macquarie Music Society and Eisteddfods, Opera Hunter,
Cameo Productions, Nova Chorale Ladies choir, Club 71 Dinner
Theatre, Secretary of the Friends of the Conservatorium,
Newcastle City Eisteddfod, Newcastle Mattara Festivals, Shakespeare
Mozart and Company, "After Five "Cabaret Ensemble
and many local concerts, charity events and music promotions.
Philip has been an adjudicator at many eisteddfods and an
examiner for HSC music examinations.
Philip continued his musical studies during this time and
gained the Diploma of the State Conservatorium of Music,
studying with Carmel Lutton, as well as a Bachelor of Music
Education degree and he undertook a study tour to the Franz
Liszt Academy in Budapest, Hungary in 1974.
In 1991, Philip was
awarded the Quota Club Citizen of the Year Award for his
services to the community and in 1992 was presented with
a City of Newcastle Service Award for sharing of musical
talents and his contribution to music education in the
local region. He has been involved in many performing art
events – managing, promoting and implementing
programmes in his desire to see the arts, and in particular
music, develop in the hunter Region. In 2003 Philip was awarded
the Centenary of Federation Medal for services to the community
through fundraising, celebrations and the sharing of musical
talent. In August 2003, Philip travelled to Finland as accompanist
for the Waratah Girls Choir at the 5 th International Choral
Sympaatti , and in 2006 was accompanist to the Choir on their
Canadian tour. The University of Newcastle awarded Philip
the Exceptional Service medal in 2004. The citation for his
Exceptional Service medal included the following : "Philip
is a great ambassador for the Conservatorium and provides
the University with a valuable link to the Community. His
passion for his work is infectious."
The Conductor of the
Conservatorium Symphony orchestra recently described Philip
as "the glue that holds together the
Newcastle music scene". Philip is still actively
involved in community music activities including the Interludes
Music program at the Uniting Church Adamstown, Christchurch
Camerata and Musica Viva.
Philip retired from the University Conservatorium in 2005
where he managed the Concert Hall, Concert programmes and
associated activities at this venue, which is one of the
finest performance spaces in Australia.
In 2008, Philip was
awarded the medal of the order of Australia (OAM) for "Service
to the community of Newcastle and the Hunter Valley area
through music as a performer, director, fundraiser and
teacher.'
In 2009 Philip was appointed accompanist for the Newcastle
University Choir.
^ top
Professor
Trevor Waring AM
Patron Newcastle University Choir
Chancellor of the University
Professor Waring is a clinical psychologist
with 40 years experience working in mental health. He is a
Conjoint Professor of Psychology at the University of Newcastle
where he is also the Chancellor. He has been a Director of
the Australian Psychological Society and is currently the Chair
of the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council and Chair
of the Hunter New England Health Service's Medical Appointments
Advisory Board and Clinical Ethics Committee. He was President
of the NSW Psychologists Registration Board and Chair of the
National Council of Psychologists Registration Boards for
14 years.
Professor Waring's clinical
experience includes 17 years as a clinical psychologist
in outpatient psychiatric services and 12 years as Director
of the Hunter Institute of Mental Health and Deputy Director
of the Hunter Centre for Mental Health Studies. He has
also been in private practice for 30 years and was made
a member of the Order of Australia in 2004 for his work
in mental health and psychology.
^ top
Newcastle University Choir: 30 Proud Years
The Newcastle University
Choir first began rehearsals in 1977 under the baton of Ulric
Burstein. The first concert occurred in May,1978, Verdi's Requiem, to an audience of 200 people.
Soloists included Pearl Berridge and Lauris Elms from the Australian
Opera. From these humble (but challenging) beginnings, the Choir
grew rapidly to become the premier adult choir in the Hunter
Region, with the assistance of some excellent conductors. When
Ulric Burstein resigned in 1980, Peter Brock became the conductor,
leading the Choir for 20 years until retirement in 1998. Kevin
Cameron then lead the Choir until 2001 when Christopher Allan
took up the role of both conductor and artistic musical director.
Between 2004 and 2006 Peter Ellis, became artistic musical director. Dr
Jennifer Barnes was appointed musical director in 2009.
The Choir has performed works from the 16th to the 21st Centuries.
Composers have included Bach (St John Passion, St Matthew
Passion, Christmas Oratorio), Verdi (Requiem), Britten (War
Requiem, Ceremony of Carols), Handel (Messiah, Israel
in Egypt), Haydn (Creation), Mozart (Requiem), Boyd (Coal
River), Brock (Five Australian Folk Songs) and Goodall (Eternal
Light), just to name a few. Repertoire has included support from
orchestra, organ, brass band, piano, percussion, and unaccompanied.
Performances with other
choral groups have also enhanced our musical activity. These
include the Hunter Singers, the Waratah Girls Choir, Australian
Signing Choir, NBN Children's Choir,
Newcastle University Chamber Choir, Conservatorium Choir, Waratah
Brass, and the Dungeon Big Band.
Throughout over 30 years, the Choir has had hundreds of people
as members, all with one common love, choral music. Members come
from all walks of life. Many stay with the choir for only a short
time. Others have sung in every concert for more than 30 years.
Membership of the Choir is open to anyone who can carry a tune
and who enjoys singing with others.
^ top
above: Newcastle University Choir at Sydney Opera House
above: Newcastle University
Choir at Harold Lobb Memorial Hall Newcastle Conservatorium of
Music
above: NUC at Lake
Macquarie Festival of the Choirs
Musical
Collaboration
An important feature of the activity of Newcastle
University Choir is the collaboration with many other local musical
groups including choirs, bands and orchestras, and with soloists
from the Hunter region, Sydney and interstate.
Waxing Lyrical
“The Gift” concert
2011
Take four very experienced singers who love to sing together
and what do you get?
The vocal quartet WAXING LYRICAL!
Baritone Christopher Allan is Head of Vocal Studies at the University
of Newcastle Conservatorium and has performed or recorded with
Opera Australia, Sydney Philharmonia, Pinchgut Opera, Cantillation,
Newcastle University Choir and Opera Hunter, to name just a few.
Tenor Paul Bevan is a well-known radio presenter for ABC1233
and has performed with Newcastle University Choir, Newcastle
Gilbert and Sullivan and Cantillation, while maintaining a busy
media career.
Mezzo Rose Saunders has performed with
The Song Company, Cantillation, Sydney Symphony Orchestra Chorus
and carved out a busy teaching career. However, she is currently
exercising her barista talents at her newly acquired café in
Annandale.
Soprano Jennifer Barnes runs a busy music studio having enjoyed
the chance to perform with Opera Australia, State Opera of South
Australia, Opera Queensland, Sydney Philharmonia, Opera Hunter
and Newcastle University Choir.
A wide range of styles and genres are presented by WAXING LYRICAL
in concerts which are fresh and relaxed in nature. They perform
music from the mediaeval to the present day, incorporating classical
jazz and popular works. The group performs in Newcastle, Sydney
and through the Hunter Valley.
Richard Bannan – Baritone
“The Gift” concert
2011
Richard Bannan began singing at an early age as a chorister
at St Paul's Cathedral. More recently, he studied music at Clare
College, Cambridge, where he was a Choral Scholar and now sings
regularly with ensembles such as the Monteverdi Choir, Polyphony,
Academy of Ancient Music and the BBC Singers.
Aside from his choral commitments Richard has sung extensively
as a soloist in repertoire such as the Mozart, Brahms, Faure
and Durufle Requiems, the Bach Passions, Saint-Saens' Christmas
Oratorio, Charpentier's Te Deum and Vaughan Williams' Five
Mystical Songs. Recent solo performances have included mass
settings by Mozart, Haydn, Rossini and Puccini. He has also sung
Handel's Messiah for the Royal Hospital Concert Series
and Bach cantatas at the London Bach Festival.
During the summer of 2008, he sang
baritone solos for a series of performances of Schütz’s Musikalische Exequien,
under Sir John Eliot Gardiner, culminating in a concert at the
Edinburgh International Festival. Following this, Richard has
begun to specialise in baroque repertoire, performing Bach and
Schütz with David Bates and La Nuova Musica at the Aldebrough
Easter Festival, Monteverdi’s 1610 Vespers with
the same ensemble at the Wigmore Hall and forming a close relationship
with the The Rare Theatricall, performing music by Purcell, Bach
and Handel.
Recent performances on stage include the roles of Aeneas in
Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas and the title role in
Monteverdi’s Orfeo, He has also sung the roles
of Judas and Pilate in Bach’s Matthäus-Passion with
Richard Egarr and the Academy of Ancient Music as well as parts
in Carissimi’s Jepthe and Purcell’s King
Arthur. In recital he has sung cycles by Brahms (Vier
Ernste Gesänge), Vierne (Les Angelus), Cornelius (Weinachtslieder) and
Finzi (I Said to Love) as well as shorter works by Beethoven,
Schumann and Debussy.
Future plans include his first season
as Musical Director of the Yateley Choral Society, a position
he takes up in January 2012, during which he will conduct John
Rutter’s Requiem, Nelson
Mass by Haydn and Bach’s Johannes Passion,
as well as smaller choral works.
Away from his performing commitments Richard is an enthusiastic
teacher of singing, working at Bloxham School and for the Eton
Choral Courses. He is also a keen songwriter and composer, harbouring
the unique ambition of headlining Glyndebourne and Glastonbury
in the same season.
Lakeside Brass
“The Gift” concert
2011
Trumpets: Timothy O'Hearn, Patricia O'Hearn
French Horn: Chris Hunt
Trombone: Rowen McBride
Tuba: Rowan Taylor
Based in Lake Macquarie, Lakeside Brass comprises five of the
Hunter and Central Coast's leading brass performers. Formed by
friends with a passion for brass chamber music, Lakeside Brass
performs regularly throughout Newcastle and Gosford, and won
the Open Quintet section at the National Band Championships in
2009.
They enjoy performing a range of styles from Baroque and Classical
to Dixieland and R'n'B, and share this enthusiasm and flexibility
with their audiences.
Gary
Rowley – Bass
Soloist
Carmina Burana 2010
Born in the UK, Gary Rowley commenced his vocal studies in Tasmania
with Penelope Bruce in 1985 and in 1989 completed an arts degree
at the Victorian College of the Arts studying with Brian Hansford.
He also completed the Young Artist Programs of both the Victoria
State Opera and Opera Australia and since has worked as a freelance
artist.
His engagements for the Victoria State
Opera included the rôle
of Don Basilio in The Barber of Seville, the title rôle
in Don Pasquale, Yakuside in Madam Butterfly, Haly in The Italian
Girl in Algiers, Ramphis in Aida, Nourabad in The Pearlfishers,
Leporello in Don Giovanni and Roo in Summer of the Seventeenth
Doll.
He has worked continually for Opera
Australia, performing in addition the rôles of Hobson in Peter Grimes, Nachum in
Fiddler on the Roof, the Duke Of Verona in Romeo & Juliet,
Colline in La Boheme, DonMagnifico in Cenerentola, Bottom in
A Midsummer Night's Dream including appearing in the company's
season of this opera at the Edinburgh Festival, and the High
PriestOf Dragon in Samson et Dalila.
Gary has also appeared with Oz Opera,
the West Australian Opera Company, Opera Queensland, Chambermade
Opera and Melbourne City Opera. He has an extensive list of concert engagements.
Of his performances the Herald Sun has said,
Rowley's emotional understanding and portrayal is immense…He
is an amazing voice…with star quality. Of his portrayal
of Don Magnifico in Opera Queensland's 2002 season of Cenerentola,
Opera-Opera reported, Gary Rowley…was a vocal and comic
highlight…spendidly ironic…
During 2009 Gary Rowley appeared as Rembrandt Van Rijn
in the world premiere season of Rembrandt's Wife for Victorian
Opera as well as appearing, for the same company, as
the baritone soloist in Carmina Burana and in the roles of The
Music Master in Ariadne Auf Naxos and Elviro in Handel's
Xerxes. He also appeared as Scarpia in Tosca
for Melbourne Opera, performances of which Theatrepeople reviewing
online said, Gary Rowley uses his deep sonorous voice and devilish
looks to great effect. Projecting palpable menace whenever
he is on stage… top class.
During 2010 he has returned to Opera
Australia to appear as Frank in the company's Melbourne season of Die Fledermaus
and sang the role of Charlot in Ibert's Angelique for Victorian
Opera. He has also appeared in the title role in concert
performacnes of Verdi's Macbeth for the Heidelberg Choral
Society, sang Alfio and Tonio in Melbourne Opera's double-bill
of Cavalleria Rusticana & I Pagliacci and Germont in Andrea
Chenier for Melbourne City Opera.
Find out more about Gary's career,
by going to the website : www.weaverartistmanagement.com.au
Sue
Carson – Soprano Soloist
Carmina Burana 2010
Sue's rare vocal versatility
is perhaps her greatest attribute. She has amazed audiences
over her 20 years as a professional musician, with her ability
to capture many genres of music from opera to contemporary
pop, jazz, folk, rock and musical theatre.
Classically a coloratura soprano, Sue's versatility has
allowed her to play roles from Mozart's Queen of the Night
to Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carrie in Carousel and
Rosalinde in Strauss's Die Fledermaus. She has
also played the mezzo role of Heloise in original production Abelard
and Heloise composed by Ross Fiddes, as well as Mrs Lovett
in Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, Susanna in Mozart's Marriage
of Figaro and Fiordiligi in Mozart's Cosi fan
tutte to name a few.
An award winning multi-instrumentalist (violin, guitar and mandolin),
Sue is probably best known around Newcastle for her band work
fronting quality pop trio LoveThat Hat and
duo SMS (The Sue and Mikey Show) with Michael Stove as well as
performing at various National festivals with local award-winning
singer-songwriter Bob Corbett as fiddle player and mandolinist.
She won Best FemaleVocalist at the ABC Music Awards in 2004 and
has been a finalist in several other categories for original
compositions since then.
Sue thrives on the diversity of her musical endeavours. She
is in demand as a contemporary vocal teacher both at community
and tertiary level at the Conservatorium of Newcastle. She has
been performing lieder recitals with composer conductor Ross
Fiddes over the last 2 years and has just been awarded the AMEB
Licentiate Diploma in classical singing.
Her performance in Carmina Burana is her 5th concert engagement
since winning the University Choir Soloist Award last year. ^
top
Paul
McMahon – Tenor
soloist
Carmina Burana 2010
A graduate of the University of Southern
Queensland, Queensland Conservatorium and Sydney Conservatorium
of Music (Master of Music Performance), tenor Paul McMahon
began his career with the Lyric Opera of Queensland. Now
highly regarded for his interpretation of baroque repertoire,
particularly the Evangelist in the Passions of J.S. Bach,
Paul's career includes
many performances from the operatic and concert repertoire
of the 17th and 18th century.
Highlights include appearances with
all the state symphony orchestras of Australia, Australian
Chamber Orchestra; Australian Brandenburg Orchestra; Sydney
Philharmonia Choirs; Pinchgut Opera; Australia Ensemble;
Auckland Philharmonia; Christchurch Symphony; Christchurch
City Choir; Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and Australian
Brandenburg Ensemble. A Churchill
Fellowship in 2002 enabled Paul to undertake intensive study
in baroque repertoire at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague,
Netherlands.
In 2005, Paul was appointed Lecturer
in Voice at The University of Newcastle. His discography
includes the debut solo album A Painted Tale - English,
French and Italian lute songs; Handel's Messiah -
a CD and DVD recording broadcast nationally by ABC Television;
Handel's Semele;
Monteverdi's L'Orfeo; Purcell's The
Fairy Queen; Mozart's Idomeneo, Carl Orff's Carmina
Burana and Fauré's La naissance de Venus.
He is featured on Swoon - A Visual and Musical Odyssey and The
Swoon Collection Gold Edition; the Christmas discs Perfect
Day, Silent Night and Glorious Night; Prayer
for Peace; Eternity; Danny Boy, Ye
Banks and Braes, Praise II and the soundtrack
to the Australian feature film The Bank.
2009 saw Paul engaged as soloist
with the Sydney, Melbourne, Queensland and Adelaide Symphony
Orchestras, Auckland Philharmonia, Sydney Philharmonia, Australia
Ensemble, Festival Baroque Perth, Royal Melbourne Philharmonic
and Sydney Chamber Choir. The
following year, he sang for the Melbourne Bach Choir, Christchurch
City Choir, Orpheus Choir, Dunedin Choir and Auckland Philhamonia.
He worked again with Sydney Philharmonia in Purcell's King
Arthur and Monteverdi Vespers and sang Handel's Messiah with
Auckland Choral Society.
In 2011, Paul McMahon will appear as soloist with the Melbourne,
Adelaide and West Australian Symphony Orchestras and Sydney
Philharmonia.
^ top
The University of Newcastle Wind Orchestra
Conductor Ian Cook
Carmina Burana Concert 2010
The University of Newcastle Wind Orchestra had
its origins as the City of Newcastle Concert Band in 1979 under
the guidance of Victor Grieve In 1981 Ian Cook was appointed
Director of Music with the resignation of Victor Grieve. Over
the next sixteen years the City of Newcastle Concert Band underwent
many changes and developments. It became a major musical
force in the cultural life of Newcastle. Many accolades have
been bestowed upon the ensembles in local, state and national
contest arenas. The Wind Orchestra has developed relationships
with many other musical organizations in Newcastle in presenting
a wide variety on concert activities. In October 1994 the City
of Newcastle Concert Band Inc became part of the Faculty of
Music and Conservatorium. As a result the ensemble has been
renamed the University of Newcastle Wind Orchestra. The wind
band as a musical entity in itself has enjoyed increased popularity
over the past couple of decades and the University of Newcastle
Wind Orchestra.
In 1997 the University of Newcastle
Wind Orchestra took out the Senior A grade Championship at
the Australian National Band Championships and the University
of Newcastle Concert Band won the Junior A grade Championship. This
was the first occasion that these titles had been awarded
to the University of Newcastle Wind Bands. Their successes
were repeated at the 1998 Australian National Championships
held in Melbourne.
In 2006 The University of Newcastle embarked on their first
international tour visiting China. The Orchestra performed
to capacity audiences in Beijing, Hangzhou and Shanghai. In
2009 The Wind Orchestra celebrated their 30th Anniversary with
a performance of the Queen Symphony for violin, cello and piano
solos, wind orchestra and choir. This year the Wind Orchestra
toured the South Island of New Zealand performing in Christchurch
and Queenstown.
Ian Cook graduated
from Newcastle Conservatorium of Music in 1978 having studied
clarinet with Clive Amadio being awarded the Diploma of the
State Conservatorium of Music (D.S.C.M.) and the L.Mus.A. In
1985 Ian continued his studies at the Sydney Conservatorium
of Music studying with Alan Vivian and Terence Stirzaker in
the Bachelor of Music program. In 1981 Ian studied clarinet
pedagogy and repertoire with Pamela Weston and Colin Bradbury
in London. 1n 1989 he returned to London to take lessons
on basset horn with Georgina Dobree. Ian regularly conducts
workshops and adjudicates for the New South Wales Band Association.
In 1993 he toured South East Asia conducting the Pan Pacific
Music Camp
Youth Wind Orchestra. In
1998, 1999 and 2000 he was guest conductor of the Wind
Symphony at the International Music Camp.
In1997 Ian toured the East
Coast of the USA with the Wind Symphony.
Currently Ian is a senior lecturer
in the Woodwind Department of the School of Drama, Fine Art
and Music and Conservatorium at the University of Newcastle
as well as being Director of Bands. In 1993 he was awarded a high commendation in
the "Award of Excellence in Teaching" by the University
of Newcastle. In 1997 Ian received for his work with
the Wind Orchestra the Vice Chancellor's Award at the
Annual Scholarship Night. In 2000 he gained his Master
of Music from the University of Newcastle majoring in conducting. Ian
continued studies in conducting as a doctoral candidate at
the University of Newcastle with an emphasis in opera/music
theatre as well as wind ensemble. Over the past couple
of years Ian has conducted The Magic Flute, La Belle Helene,
HMS Pinafore, The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, Rigoletto,
Sweeney Todd, The Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni.
His mentor has been the eminent Australian conductor Myer Fredman.
In September 2007 Ian conducted a season of Così fan
tutte in the inaugural season of Newcastle Festival Opera.
In 2008 Ian conducted Wonderful Town and The Merry
Widow for Newcastle Festival Opera. In 2009 Ian conducted
the award CONDA award winning production of Mozart's The
Magic Flute. This has been busy with productions of Kurt
Weill's The Threepenny Opera and Puccini's La
Boheme. In April 2009 Ian was awarded his PhD from the
University of Newcastle.
^ top
Jacquelyn Brown
alto soloist - Messiah 2010
Jacquelyn is a graduate of the Newcastle Conservatorium, having
completed a Bachelor of Music majoring in voice. She has also
completed her Associate Diploma with Trinity College London
singing exams.
Jacquelyn has been involved with
local theatre companies for 12 years and was thrilled to
play the title role in Opera Hunter’s
production of Carmen earlier this year.
She has appeared in many musicals, plays and operas including Candide,
Songs for a New World, Trial by Jury, Buskers and Angels with
Jon English, Trouble in Tahiti and Les Miserables.
She has performed the roles of Kate and Edith in The
Pirates of Penzance (the latter of which she was nominated
for a City Of Newcastle Drama Award, CONDA), Julie Jordan
in Carousel, Grace in Working, Mad Margaret
in Ruddigore, Chiffon in Little Shop of Horrors,
Yonah in Children of Eden (for which she was nominated
for a CONDA), Rose Alverez in Bye Bye Birdie, Maureen
in Rent, Ellen in Miss Saigon and the third
lady in The Magic Flute. She has also performed
in the plays Dancing at Lughnasa, Stringers Last Stand,
Female Transport, The Crucible as Mary Warren and Little
Women as the eldest sister Meg.
In 2007, Jacquelyn played alongside Jon English in the JJK
production of Blood Brothers in the role of Linda,
and won a CONDA for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for
her portrayal of the role.
^ top
Patricia
Woods
Soprano soloist - Messiah 2010
Patricia is a resident of Newcastle
NSW, and has been singing for the past 20 years. Patricia began studying singing
at the age of 18 with Kay Capewell at Newcastle Conservatorium
of Music. In 1992, she travelled to Sydney to study with Judith
Turner, and then with Valerie Collins-Vager. Upon returning
to Newcastle in 1996, she attained the L.Mus.A Diploma, and
sang the title role in Puccini’s opera Suor Agelica with
Opera Hunter.
Accepting the head of voice position at the Upper Hunter Conservatorium
of music in 1998, Patricia spent the following seven years
travelling to the Upper Hunter regions of Singleton and Muswellbrook,
developing a highly successful reputation as a teacher.
Patricia now runs the Woods Academy of Professional Voice
in Newcastle, and is in high demand as a teacher and performer.
In her professional teaching capacity, she has also undertaken
pioneering research in vocal cord and breathing disorder therapies
and anatomical diagnostics of sound production interference.
In 2009 Patricia was one of two sopranos
chosen by audition to become a soloist for the Newcastle
University Choir. Her first concert with the choir was the
Australian premiere of Howard Goodall’s Eternal Light.
In September 2009 she performed Mozart’s Exultate Jubilate as
part of the Singleton Catholic Convent’s 100th anniversary
celebrations. She has also performed as the soprano soloist
in Rossini’s PetiteMesse Solonelle (Newcastle
University Choir), Vivaldi’s Gloria, and Handel’s Messiah (St
Cecilia Choir, Sydney).
^ top
Christopher
Richardson
Bass Soloist - Messiah 2010
Thirty-year-old Tasmanian Christopher
Richardson is fast gaining a reputation as one of Australia’s
finest up-and-coming concert bass-baritones.
After completing his associate levels
(AMEB) in both pianoforte and violoncello by the age of 16,
Christopher pursued performance studies in both piano and
classical voice at tertiary level under the tuition of Beryl
Sedivka (piano), and mezzo-soprano, Marilyn Smith (voice). He has since undertaken further
vocal study with Soprano Jane Edwards and performed in Tasmania
and the mainland in various operatic, oratorio, music theatre
and concert works. Among these are Beethoven’s Symphony
No 9; Handel’s Messiah; Bach’s Magnificat;
Bach’s St Matthew Passion and Mass in B
minor; Mendelssohn’s Elijah; Rossini’s Petite
Messe Solennelle; Faure’s Requiem; the
Australian premiere of Fridges Hidas’ Requiem;
Don Alfonso in Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte; Rapunzel’s
Prince in Sondheim’s Into the Woods; and Javert
in the recent production of Les Miserables at Hobart’s
Theatre Royal. His recording of Vaughan Williams’ Songs
of Travel has been broadcast nationally by ABC Classic
FM.
Christopher has also performed various new operatic works
with IHOS Opera, including the title role in the world premiere
of Tesla – Lightning in His Hand, and the role
of Latin Cantor in Pentekostarion both by Constantine
Koukias. With IHOS, Christopher premiered Matthew Dewey’s
one-man opera, The Death of Thomas Chatterton.
Christopher won the Royal Melbourne
Philharmonic Aria Competition which took place in Federation
Square in July 2010 by unanimous decision of the adjudicators,
and was recently a finalist in the 2010 Acclaim Awards’ Italian
Opera Fellowship Competition in Melbourne.
Other forthcoming performance engagements
include bass soloist in Melbourne’s St. Paul’s Cathedral for the Royal
Melbourne Philharmonic’s annual Christmas Concerts, as
well as bass soloist in their Choir & Orchestra’s
production of Messiah in Melbourne, in December 2011.
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Paul Morris
Tenor soloist - Messiah
2010
Paul completed his Bachelor of Music
at Newcastle Conservatorium, (majoring
in voice), graduating with First Class Honours and a Faculty
Medal in 2008.
Paul sings as a chorister and cantor
with Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Newcastle and is a member of The University of
Newcastle Chamber Choir and an occasional member of the professional
choir Cantillation. He was the tenor soloist for Newcastle
University Choir’s performance of Bach’s Magnificat in
May 2007 and sang as tenor soloist for performances of Handel’s Messiah for
both Penrith Symphony Orchestra and Choir and Newcastle University
Choir in December 2007. Paul performed at the New England
Bach Festival in May 2008, singing the tenor parts for Bach’s Coffee
Cantata and the cantata Liebster Gott, wenn will ich
sterben? and was the tenor soloist for Newcastle Tudor
Singers’ performance of Mozart’s Requiem in
August that year. Paul has also performed in concert
as a soloist with Opera Hunter, Newcastle Festival Opera and
for Pacific Opera’s Voices on a Sunday concert
series. Paul sang as tenor soloist for Newcastle University
Choir’s performance of Messiah in December 2008 and sang
as tenor soloist in that choir’s inaugural Australian
presentation of Howard Goodall’s Eternal Light: a
Requiem in April 2009. Paul sang the role of Lukas
in Haydn’s Die Jahreszeiten for Sydney University
Graduate Choir in August 2009. This year Paul has sung
the Evangelist in Newcastle Tudor Singers’ presentation
of Charles Wood’s Passion in April and the title
role in the University of Canberra’s production of Handel’s
oratorio Judas Maccabaeus in December.
Paul has performed in a number of musical productions including Rigoletto and Oklahoma! in
2002 and Sweeney Todd in 2003 with Opera Hunter. He
toured with that company’s The Marriage of Figaro
in the Outback to Longreach, Queensland for the Queensland
Festival of the Arts in 2005 and appeared in its productions
of The Music Man and Don Giovanni in that
year. He was also a member of the cast of The Dreamer
and the Drifter for Walking on Air Productions in 2005.
Paul performed the role of Bastien in Mozart’s chamber
opera Bastien and Bastienne for Blue Bottle Productions
in 2006 and reprised that role in June 2007. He played
Ferrando in Newcastle Festival Opera’s production of Cosi
fan tutte in September 2007 and sang in that company’s
concert version of Bernstein’s Wonderful Town in
March 2008. Also in 2008 Paul played Sextus in Opera Hunter’s
production of Julius Caesar in Egypt in May, San Brioche
in Newcastle Festival Opera’s The Merry Widow in
July and Boy 2 in Opera Hunter’s production of Trouble
in Tahiti in October. Paul most recently played the role
of Don José for Opera Hunter’s production of Carmen in
May 2010.
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Eloise Rowland
Soprano soloist – Choral
Masterpieces 2011
Eloise Rowland gave her inaugural concert performance as a
soloist at the Newcastle University Choir Choral Masterpieces concert
in April 2011, and in the words of our Emeritus Conductor “sang
like an angel”.
Eloise has studied singing at Newcastle
Conservatorium under the tutorage of Chris Allan. She has
been a member of the University of Newcastle Chamber Choir
since the beginning of her Bachelor of Music degree in 2008,
and performed with them in Channel 7’s Battle of the
Choirs, the Melbourne/Tasmania tour and the China tour (2010)
winning gold in three sections of the 6th World Choir Games
in Shaoxing.
She has performed in numerous Newcastle Festival Opera productions
and concerts including Wonderful Town, The Magic Flute and La
Boheme. Her other performance experiences have included
Newcastle University graduations and Conservatorium concerts.
above: Eloise Rowland gives
her first concert soloist performance at
Newcastle University
Great Hall, 3 April 2011.
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Peter
Guy
Organ Soloist – Choral
Masterpieces 2011
Peter Guy studied for his Bachelor of Music, majoring in pipe
organ and choral conducting under Philip Matthias, at the University
of Newcastle and achieved first class honours and the University
Medal.
He is the youngest person to be appointed
Organist and Master of the Choristers at Christ Church Anglican
Cathedral, Newcastle. Previously he was Director of Music
at St Stephen’s Uniting
Church, Macquarie Street, Sydney, and the inaugural Director
of Chapel Music at St Andrew’s College at Sydney University.
During his time studying in Newcastle, Peter was Organ Scholar
and Assistant Director of the St Nicholas Choir at Christ Church
Cathedral.
Peter reached the national keyboard
final of the Symphony Australia Young Performers Award in
2003 where he played Poulenc’s
Concerto for Organ, Strings and Tympani in G minor with the
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. He has toured internationally
with the University of Newcastle Chamber Choir, playing in
such venues as St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey
and Notre Dame Cathedral. He has an active recital schedule
both locally and interstate. He was also the Organ soloist
in the performance of Saint-Saens’ Symphony No 3 in C
minor (Organ Symphony) with The University of Newcastle Wind
Orchestra at the Great Hall in October 2010.
|
above: Peter Guy at the organ accompanies the Choir
at the Great Hall 2011. |
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Howard
Bridgman
Baritone soloist – Choral
Masterpieces 2011
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