Seniors Choral Festival set to raise roof of Conservatorium

Thursday 29 June 2006

More than 100 people, all over the age of 60 and from all over New South Wales, will come together in Newcastle next week for a unique musical event.

They will be participating in the National Seniors' Choral Festival, an event co-sponsored by the University of Newcastle and the University of New England. It will run from Tuesday 4 to Saturday 8 July and culminate with a free concert to be held on Saturday (8 July). The participants will come together with academic staff from each university for an intensive four days.

Head of the University of Newcastle's Conservatorium: School of Music, Drama and Fine Art, Ms Carmel Lutton said, "We were thrilled with the response when we called for expressions of interest last year. The formal requirements were an ability to read music, preferably some musical knowledge, although not essential, obviously a love of music and to be aged 60 and over. The non-formal requirements were energy, get-up-and-go and an adventurous spirit. I am delighted to report that our choir boasts all of these attributes.

"I am anticipating that both the Festival and the Concert will be a great success and will be the forerunner of similar future events."

The Festival has attracted some heavyweights in the music field. Its patron is the eminent Australian composer, Peter Sculthorpe while the principal conductor will be Professor Heather Buchanan, Director of Choral Activities at Montclair State University, New Jersey, USA. Mr Christopher Allan from the University of Newcastle’s Conservatorium will also be involved in conducting the choir.

Peter Sculthorpe has composed a choral work which will have its world premiere in the concert, alongside works from Handel, Mendelssohn, Brahms and Vaughan Williams.

"My academic colleague at the University of New England, Dr Terrence Hays and I have enjoyed putting this Festival together. It has been challenging, but very satisfying. The opportunity of coming together to make music is very exciting," Carmel said.

The Australian National Seniors' Choral Festival Concert will be held in the University of Newcastle's Conservatorium of Music (Cnr Laman and Auckland Streets, Newcastle) on Saturday 8 July at 2pm. Admission is free.

Further enquiries can be made by telephoning Ms Carmel Lutton on (02) 4921 8930.

Media spokesperson:
Carmel Lutton, Head of the University's Conservatorium:School of Music and Drama.
Telephone (02) 49218930

Media enquiries:
Cae Pattison, Media & Public Relations, The University of Newcastle.
Telephone (02) 4921 6856 or Mobile 0414 313172