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Australian Boys Choir bring the colonial past to Latrobe

The Australian Boys Choir and the Vocal Consort will perform ‘Colonial Song’, a variety of works from Australia’s colonial past, at the Latrobe Regional Performing Arts Centre on Friday 12 June.

By Latrobe Shire Council - 9th June 2004 - Back to News

‘Colonial Song’ will explore some of the forgotten compositions from Australia’s rich and varied musical heritage and will also feature some more recent pieces by Australian composers.

Latrobe City’s Box Office and Program Coordinator, Kathleen Roberts, said that the Australian Boys Choir has a long performance history both in Australia and overseas, and is comprised of some of the nation’s most talented singers.

"The Australian Boys Choir was formed more than 64 years ago and is renowned as one of Australia’s most prestigious choirs. It is famous for performing sacred and secular choral music that ranges throughout the last six centuries, and it is also well-known for its frequent collaboration with the tenor and bass voices of the Vocal Consort," Ms Roberts said.

"The Australian Boys Choir tours extensively throughout Australia, and has travelled overseas on nine occasions. The Choir has recorded music for four movie soundtracks, including Elizabeth and The Dish; has been featured on radio and television; and has recorded a number of CDs including Zoos and Ships and Candlewax and Sons of the South together with the Vocal Consort. The Vocal Consort has also had an extensive touring history in Australia and produced the CD Sweet and Low in 2001."

Ms Roberts explained that members of the Australian Boys Choir are selected from over 100 singers currently in training within the Choir’s parent body, the Australian Boys Choral Institute. "The training program offered to these boys is of a particularly high standard and it provides them with a strong theoretical musical knowledge and also offers numerous performance opportunities. Many of the boys who are too old for the Australian Boys Choir and the Australian Boys Choral Institute often go on to become members of the Vocal Consort."

"Noel Ancell is the Artistic Director of the Australian Boys Choral Institute and he also trains both the Australian Boys Choir and The Vocal Consort. He is well known throughout Australia as a conductor, composer and teacher who has more than thirty years of experience in the industry. He draws on his experience and expertise to train the singers, and he has helped to produce some of the very best choral and solo vocalist in the country," Ms Roberts said.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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