To
The POINT
With
Kerani Francis
Chorus group sail into it with an impromptu gig
WHAT DO a local women’s singing group and an orange icebreaker have in common? Answer: it’s in the name.
Local women’s a cappella group ‘Aurora Australis’ met their namesake, the ‘RSV Aurora Australis’, Australia’s Antarctic flagship, at Princess Wharf, Hobart recently.
The icebreaker is designed as a multi-purpose research and resupply ship and is fitted with hangar facilities for three helicopters and a helipad, which doubled as a performance space for our singing.
Our group met the other ‘Aurora’ while attending the annual Australian region’s competition in Hobart. Members of the chorus were invited to tour the ship, and in return, treated the captain to an impromptu performance of their singing on the helicopter deck.
The ship travels to Antarctica during the Antarctic summer which is roughly from October through to April. It resupplies the Australian and overseas bases. as well as taking expeditioners and scientists down to Antarctica for the summer. It is undergoing maintenance in Hobart, ready for the next trip to Antarctica in October 2008.
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OUR LOCAL singing flagship ‘Aurora Australis Chorus’ sings four-part harmony a cappella style, predominantly barbershop arrangements, but is interested in all kinds of music.
Their repertoire contains songs from many eras - pop songs, ballads, barbershop, jazz, Christmas carols, Aussie songs and gospel. With their purpose statement “committed to excellence”, they work hard to bring high quality entertainment to local venues.
The chorus has entertained at a Christmas in July dinner dance with a medley of Christmas Carols, at the St Ives shopping centre as part of their Christmas celebrations; at St Vincent’s Hospital Thanksgiving Service for carers; for diners at a VIEW club luncheon; and at the Moocooboola Festival, Lane Cove Plaza and other venues around Sydney
The chorus is also affiliated with Sweet Adelines Inter-national, a women’s vocal organisation of over 30,000 members worldwide. This organisation is committed to advancing the musical art form of barbershop harmony through education and performance.
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IF YOU are interested in joining ‘Aurora Australis’ (the chorus that is) they offer new members a four-week singing course at $5 per week. Prospective members are given tuition in singing techniques - posture, breathing etc - in small groups.
The skills required of new members are the ability to sing in tune and to hold their part in the chorus. Although the ability to read music is useful, this is not a requirement as learning CDs are provided for all new songs. All members continue to receive education in the craft of singing.
The chorus attracts people of all ages - women with young children, business women, retired women - all looking for a new and exciting challenge and doing something they absolutely love. As you can see ‘Aurora Australis’ have a lot of fun as they become better singers.
The chorus meets at Hunters Hill Public School Hall from 7.30-9.30pm. For further information phone Mary Byrne on 9882 1250, or see www.auroraaustralis.org.au.
* KERANI FRANCIS is director of ‘Aurora Australis’
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