History of Noosa Chorale
Noosa Chorale founding performers 1994
Noosa Chorale was formed in early 1994 at the instigation of local solicitor, Joseph McMahon, who saw a gap in the cultural life of Noosa. He invited recently arrived Sydney conductor, Leonard Spira, to take charge of the fledging choir. From a modest initial group of twenty founding members, Noosa Chorale has grown to its present complement of seventy members.
Under Leonard’s musical direction up till December 2006, Noosa Chorale mainly performed masterworks from the 18th and 19th century choral repertoire. In 2002, under the direction of its Deputy Musical Director, Ken Evans, it added Renaissance compositions and choral arrangements of jazz classics to its repertoire.
Leonard Spira OAM retired as musical director in 2006 and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2008 for service to music, particularly as a contributor to the early development of opera in Melbourne and through establishing and directing a range of musical groups in Sydney and the Noosa district.
Adrian King was appointed the new musical director in 2007. Trained in the Guildhall School of Music, London, Adrian King has an amazingly rich background in conducting a huge range of choral works. In 2007 Adrian introduced Noosa to the Christmas Wassail, called locally Christmas Cheer Concerts, which have proved immensely popular with their combination of carol singing, food and a beautifully decorated Christmas venue.
In 2009, the Chorale celebrated its 15th Anniversary with the launch of the book ‘Noosa Sings’ by journalist and Noosa Chorale bass singer, Jim Fagan. In 2014, the Chorale celebrated its 20th Anniversary, and established its 'home' at The J theatre in Noosa Heads, where rehearsals and major concerts are now held. In 2019, the Chorale celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a major production of Verdi's Requiem, in association with its "sister" choir The Sunshine Coast Choral Society.
Under Leonard’s musical direction up till December 2006, Noosa Chorale mainly performed masterworks from the 18th and 19th century choral repertoire. In 2002, under the direction of its Deputy Musical Director, Ken Evans, it added Renaissance compositions and choral arrangements of jazz classics to its repertoire.
Leonard Spira OAM retired as musical director in 2006 and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2008 for service to music, particularly as a contributor to the early development of opera in Melbourne and through establishing and directing a range of musical groups in Sydney and the Noosa district.
Adrian King was appointed the new musical director in 2007. Trained in the Guildhall School of Music, London, Adrian King has an amazingly rich background in conducting a huge range of choral works. In 2007 Adrian introduced Noosa to the Christmas Wassail, called locally Christmas Cheer Concerts, which have proved immensely popular with their combination of carol singing, food and a beautifully decorated Christmas venue.
In 2009, the Chorale celebrated its 15th Anniversary with the launch of the book ‘Noosa Sings’ by journalist and Noosa Chorale bass singer, Jim Fagan. In 2014, the Chorale celebrated its 20th Anniversary, and established its 'home' at The J theatre in Noosa Heads, where rehearsals and major concerts are now held. In 2019, the Chorale celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a major production of Verdi's Requiem, in association with its "sister" choir The Sunshine Coast Choral Society.
1994 Performance
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2014 Performance
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The concert program for the Chorale's 20th Anniversary in 2014 included Handel's Messiah - the first work performed by the choir in 1994.
The program also included a special gala performance with excerpts from the Chorale's major concerts over the last 20 years. |
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Read about the history of Noosa Chorale from its establishment in 1994 through to its 15th year celebrations in 2009. "It's an absorbing and sometimes amusing history of a community choir which has been compared to the best in Australia."
Jim Fagan (2009). Noosa Sings - Noosa Chorale: Fifteen years of classical harmony. Published by Noosa Chorale.
