History of Noosa Chorale
Celebrating 30 years of Noosa Chorale in 2024
Noosa Chorale founding performers 1994
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 in size and stature, with up to 100 of its members taking part in each year's concert programme.
Under Leonard’s musical direction until 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.
2007
Adrian King was appointed the new musical director in 2007. Trained in the Guildhall School of Music, London, Adrian had an amazingly rich background in conducting a huge range of choral works. In 2007 Adrian introduced Noosa to the Christmas Wassail, referred to locally as Noosa's Christmas Cheer Concerts, which proved immensely popular with their combination of carol singing, food and a beautifully decorated Christmas venue. Adrian retired at the end of 2022.
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 in size and stature, with up to 100 of its members taking part in each year's concert programme.
Under Leonard’s musical direction until 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.
2007
Adrian King was appointed the new musical director in 2007. Trained in the Guildhall School of Music, London, Adrian had an amazingly rich background in conducting a huge range of choral works. In 2007 Adrian introduced Noosa to the Christmas Wassail, referred to locally as Noosa's Christmas Cheer Concerts, which proved immensely popular with their combination of carol singing, food and a beautifully decorated Christmas venue. Adrian retired at the end of 2022.
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2009
In 2009, the Chorale celebrated its 15th Anniversary with the launch of the book "Noosa Sings: fifteen years of classical harmony" by journalist and Noosa Chorale bass singer, Jim Fagan. The 25,000-word book was launched at the Bicentennial Hall in Sunshine Beach to an audience of some 300 people. "It's an absorbing and sometimes amusing history of a community choir which has been compared to the best in Australia." Secure your copy of the remaining copies of the book in print by emailing us: [email protected] Jim Fagan (2009). "Noosa Sings - Noosa Chorale: Fifteen years of classical harmony." Published by Noosa Chorale. |
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2014
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. 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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2019
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. Two concert performances were held, one at Noosa Leisure Centre and the second at Venue 114 Lake Kawana. The Noosa-hosted event, introduced by compere Paul Ritchie, was broadcast live and streamed to the world by local community radio station Noosa FM101.3, and received funding support from a Noosa Council grant and sponsorship by the Tewantin branch of Bendigo Bank. |
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2023
Kim Kirkman undertook the role of guest musical director for the Chorale's May concert in 2023, and Guillaume Lemay-Yates took over the guest musical direction of the choir for the September and December concerts.
Kim Kirkman undertook the role of guest musical director for the Chorale's May concert in 2023, and Guillaume Lemay-Yates took over the guest musical direction of the choir for the September and December concerts.
2024
The Chorale's thirty year celebrations began with a performance in May of Felix Mendelssohn's Elijah, conducted by Kim Kirkman. In August, the choir joins with the Noosa Jazz Club (also celebrating its thirtieth anniversary), to produce two concert performances of "All That Jazz", conducted by Paul Coppens, at the beginning of the Noosa Jazz Festival 2024. Also in its thirtieth year in 2024, an art exhibition by the Tinbeerwah Art Group will grace the exhibition space at The J Theatre during August.
The Chorale's thirty year celebrations began with a performance in May of Felix Mendelssohn's Elijah, conducted by Kim Kirkman. In August, the choir joins with the Noosa Jazz Club (also celebrating its thirtieth anniversary), to produce two concert performances of "All That Jazz", conducted by Paul Coppens, at the beginning of the Noosa Jazz Festival 2024. Also in its thirtieth year in 2024, an art exhibition by the Tinbeerwah Art Group will grace the exhibition space at The J Theatre during August.
