Shelford’s Inaugural Choral Concert 

The Shelford Inaugural Choral Concert, held on the evening of Tuesday 13 September in the Hall, was a joyful celebration of all the singing in which Shelford students participate. Singing has always been a uniquely human activity that has connected us in times of trouble, as well as in festivity. Nowadays we tend to separate ourselves into the categories of 'singer' and 'audience', however in classifying ourselves as audience, we lose so much opportunity to connect with others. Singing provides us with a way to connect with other people we don’t necessarily know, or even like and to connect with those from the past or present or other cultures who created and sung the music before us. This is why the ritual of community singing continues with School Songs, National Anthems, birthdays and even footy club songs. 

A variety of repertoire and styles was showcased at the concert, with the Senior Choir opening the show with a sung 'Welcome to Country' composed for the indigenous Dhungala Children’s Choir, founded by world renowned Yorta Yorta opera singer, Deborah Cheetham AO. This was then contrasted with the beautiful ‘Rainbow Connection’, originally from The Muppet Movie, but still so moving 40+ years later. Inter Harmony and Senior Harmony groups then combined to sing arrangements by voice teacher Ms Anna Young: Lloyd Webber’s ‘Pie Jesu’, ‘Seize the Day’ from the musical Newsies and ‘Never Ending Story’, most recently featured in the ‘80’s based hit show Stranger Things. Voice students Jazi H Yr 12 and Aesha V Yr 11 were a hit with the audience as they sang the duet ‘For Good’ from Wicked. 

The Junior School were well represented with the Sheltones conducted by Ms Karla Nyhuis, singing a traditional Malaysian folk song, performed in the Dikir Barat style whereby performers sit in rows on the floor/stage to sing and do choreographed hand and body movements. They then sang Shoshone Love Song, a tender arrangement of a Native American poem. The Years 3 and 6 Choir performed two Glyn Lehmann pieces, ‘I am the Earth’ and ‘A Book Will Take You There’, two Australian pieces with the universal themes of caring for the environment and exploring the world through reading. 

All of our Year 7’s and 8’s joined forces to sing Panic at the Disco’s ‘High Hopes’, and Paul Jarman’s sea shanty ‘Eye of the Needle’. For a group of students who have really missed some key performance opportunities in lock downs, this was a great moment to develop and consolidate self confidence in a supportive environment.  Mr Frank Blakiston, Head of Performing Arts took the opportunity to thank the Year 12’s who had contributed to our voice program over many years, both online and in person, before the evening ended with all of Years 3 to 8 plus some older students singing ‘The Wanderer’ about the flight of an albatross by Australian Dan Walker, accompanied by Ms Ruth Dixon-Lawrence and several Senior School string students, as well as an ocean drum! It was terrific to have some audience participation in this finale too.   

Special thanks to:  

• Performing Arts and Choir Captain Jazi H, Year 12 for introducing all the items 
• Backstage staff: Mr Tristan Hill, Ms Monique Sheehy, Ms Joy Ashwell, Ms Monika Meszaros, Ms Rebecca Wright, Mr Frank Blakiston, Mr Simon Chau, Ms Jacqui Sidaway, Ms Vicky Gemmell and Ms Kirsten Ehrenberg 
• Voice staff: Ms Karla Nyhuis, Ms Anna Young, Ms Jenni Thom 
• Main Accompanist: Ms Kathryn Pisani 
• Students and staff who participated in our Choral Workshop Day on Saturday 10 September.  
• Parents for your support of the Shelford voice program 

Jenni Thom

Junior School Music Coordinator