Opera House Choir Report

Ben Venue Opera House Choir Perform in Sydney

On Thursday 14 August, 19 of our Stage 3 Choir students performed in the Sydney Opera House as part of the annual Festival of Choral Music. The students had been rehearsing during Monday lunchtimes with Mrs Porter and Mrs Farmer in preparation for their performance and were excited to perform in such a world class venue. 

After arriving on the Countrylink train the night before and despite the slightly damp conditions, we made our way from our accommodation to the Sydney Opera House for a rehearsal. Students explored Hyde Park, the ANZAC Memorial and the Australian Museum before walking down to Circular Quay and the Opera House for the dress rehearsal. We took the train back to our accommodation for an early dinner before excitedly setting off again through Hyde Park, singing as we went, this time for the real thing! 

Following a fantastic concert, in which all Ben Venue students truly shone, we were treated to views of Sydney Harbour by night as we walked off some post-performance adrenalin. We then took the bus home to our accommodation for a good night's sleep before an early start in the morning. For many on this trip, it was their first experience of Sydney and is certainly one they will never forget.

Our students were exceptional while on the excursion and were outstanding representatives of Ben Venue during the dress rehearsal, night performance and while travelling on the train between Sydney and Armidale. They made us all exceedingly proud and had a fabulous time creating memories they'll never forget.

A huge thank you goes out to Mrs Porter and Mrs Farmer for their organisation of the excursion and for their work with the Opera House Choir over the year. Thank you also to Mrs Russell for her support during the excursion. We all had a ball!

Lana Howlett

Deputy Principal