Come banish the winter blues with some stirring song at the Kyogle Semitones Benefit Concert on Saturday July 23 at 2 pm. Kyogle’s own community choir, a glorious blend of upward of 20 voices, will perform a program of thrilling variety, including everything from jaunty sea shanties and rhythmic African and Maori folk tunes to the noble inspiration of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy.
Dynamic choir director Fiona Kerr has even enlisted some of her students to swell the choir in the joyful Beethoven.
The concert is entitled Song of Songs after the Song of Solomon from the Book of Psalms. Its sensuous poetry provides the lyrics for two of the afternoon’s songs. There is transporting church music from the Renaissance, a favourite Handel aria, Where e’er you walk and the famous Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves by Verdi, evoking the plaintive longing of the captive Hebrews in Babylon, in another dramatic echo of the Old Testament. Ennio Morricone, composer of the popular Gabriel’s Oboe” from the movie The Mission, contributes a dreamy piece called My Fantasy.
And sharing the stage are noted Lismore tenor soloist Geof Webb, with more Handel as well as a Noel Coward crowd pleaser, and Lismore band Black Train playing old time Hillbilly and Gospel.
The concert proceeds are to benefit the Lismore Flood Relief Effort and Kyogle Community Centre (formerly Kyogle Senior Citizens Centre). In past years choir has held an annual fundraising concert for local charities such as Kyogle Soup Kitchen, Kyogle Hospital Aged Care and Kyogle Youth Ventures. Afterwards, there will be a warming supper for a gold coin donation.
A raffle is to be drawn with great prizes, including a hamper from Swan Bay Markets. Raffle tickets will be available prior to the concert at Semitones Choir street stalls from mid June on.
The concert will be held at the Kyogle Memorial Institute Hall (corner of Summerland Way and Stratheden Street) at 2 pm, with doors open at 1.30 pm. Admission will be cash only and will cost $10 a person and $20 for a family.
Patrons will be able to make personal donations toward the concert beneficiaries during the afternoon.
