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‘Gold to Federation’ concert features this Sunday

A ‘Grand Concert’ is being held in Kernot Hall Morwell at 1:30pm this Sunday as part of the Centenary of Federation celebrations

By Latrobe City Council - 1st August 2001 - Back to News

A ‘Grand Concert’ being held in Kernot Hall Morwell at 1:30pm this Sunday as part of the Centenary of Federation celebrations, will feature the Victoria Chorale conducted by Val Pyers.

Accompanied by pianist Evan Cresswell, the 40 voice mixed choir will present ‘From Gold to Federation’, a program of secular music performed in Victoria between 1851 and 1901.

Mr Pyers said the performances already given in Melbourne and Daylesford had been very well received with audiences enjoying the wide variety of styles and repertoire.

"The fact that the concert is presented in period costume adds a visual element which audiences find very attractive," Mr Pyers said.

"Opera choruses, part-songs and songs of the American Civil War rub shoulders with choruses from Yeomen of the Guard, the songs of Stephen Foster and ‘hits’ from some of the well known operettas of the period," Mr Pyers said.

Latrobe City’s Cultural Planner, Di Goulding, said Mr Pyers was no stranger to the Latrobe Valley, but at Sunday’s concert would be returning to the region where he began his career as a choral conductor.

"In 1956 Pyers was appointed to the Yallourn High School, where he taught English and History. He soon became involved in the school’s extra curricular music program, especially its annual production of a Gilbert and Sullivan opera," Ms Goulding said.

"In the same year, Val Pyers founded the Yallourn Madrigal Singers, a small group of gifted singers whose work soon earned them a loyal following in the Latrobe Valley as well as in Melbourne. It gives him much pleasure to know that the choir is still an active and important element in the musical life of the Valley.

"In 1965, Mr Pyers founded the Melbourne Chorale, and in 1993 left to form his present group, the Victoria Chorale. In its eight years of activity, the choir has become well known both in Melbourne and country Victoria," Ms Goulding added.

Tickets for the Grand Concert at $5 are available from the Kernot Hall foyer from 12:30pm. For further information about the concert, contact Di Goulding at Latrobe City, telephone 1300 367 700

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: latrobecity@gippslander.com

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