The University of Newcastle Chamber Choir Recordings
Below are four CD recordings featuring the University of Newcastle Chamber Choir. If you would like to purchase any of these, please print the order form and after completing it, fax it to the number provided. We will confirm despatch of your order by email as soon as your payment is processed.
Chamber Choir Showcase
Track from CD Voices and Vision
Arranged by Alan Wilson
Track from CD Far Horizons
Composed by Philip Matthias - Staff
Track from CD Journey of Celebration
Composed by Percy Grainger
Track from CD Naturally
Arranged by Gordon Hamilton - Student
Since the Choir's success in the ABC Choir of the Year competition in 2006, it is also featured on the ABC Classic FM Choir of the Year CD produced by the ABC and available from ABC shops.
Naturally
This CD is an example of the choir's lighter repertoire. A highlight is The Barber Shop Quartet with members drawn from the Choir. Popular favorites like Raindrops' Keep Fallin' On My Head and Sweet Sixteen, and a comical setting by Alfred Wheeler of Old Mother Hubbard.
"The singing is again extremely good. The choir, its director and its quartet have succeeded in putting yet another feather in Newcastle's artistic cap."
Peter Jewkes, The Sydney Organ Journal, Spring 2003
Far Horizons
Mostly recorded when the choir was on tour in the United Kingdom and France on March 2002. Venues include Notre Dame, Paris, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, the Temple Church and St Paul's Cathedral London. Many of the 30 tracks comprise works by Australian composers including Nigel Butterley, Keren Terpstra, Samuel Donovan, and Philip Matthias.
"There is too much in these CDs to single out more than a few tracks for special mention. Among the highlights however would be Ian Kellam's splendid Howells-ian Evensong Canticles, and Paul Stanhope's haunting Lux Aeterna, both world premiere recordings. Excerpts from Philip Matthias' Jubilation Mass sound rather fine at the Temple Church too; This set is yet another triumph for Philip Matthias' work in a city fast establishing an international reputation for itself, and is a tribute to all involved. Warmly recommended.
Peter Jewkes, The Sydney Organ Journal, Spring 2003
Voices and Vision
Voices and Vision contains a colourful and wide selection of music recorded in Christ Church Cathedral and the Conservatorium. It features the University Chamber Choir, soloists and instrumentalists. Over half of the music is recorded for the first time.
"Very enthusiastic about your new CD. Congratulations. The breadth of music on your CD suggests it will be a very rich week for us."
Philip Billson, Producer, BBC Radio
"A fascinating and varied collection of pieces, with performances that do the conductor and performers proud."
Dr. Christopher Dearnley, CVO
"The concept of the CD is good and imaginative with a wide range of pieces and styles. I am delighted with the rendering of my pieces - you really have got the feeling absolutely right!"
Alan Wilson, composer
Journey of Celebration
Journey of Celebration is a double disc of the Choir's UK tour. It includes the Guild of Church Musicians' Millennium Service from Canterbury Cathedral, fifty minutes of Australasian music and four BBC Daily Service broadcasts. Disc No. 2 includes a CD Rom.
"A highlight of the conference in Canterbury was the young Australian University Choir from Newcastle. Their programme was absolutely riveting - how exciting it was to hear such well-tuned, blended chording!"
Laudate Magazine, U.K.
"We were treated to a first class recital in Canterbury Cathedral by the Chamber Choir of the University of Newcastle, Australia. People are still talking about it! It was superb.
John Ewington, OBE, General Secretary The Guild of Church Musicians
"When are you coming again to visit us?! You went down really well over here. You were just great. Will you please thank the choir from me for a splendid week of Daily Services."
Philip Billson, Producer, BBC Religion
"Both my wife and I were enormously taken by the quality of the choir's work. There is a certain quality that experienced young voices have which can be so exciting. It has something to do with that marvellous sense of both accuracy and excitement of all those who are still very much at the sharp end of their careers of musical exploration."
The Very Reverend Richard Fenwick, Dean of Monmouth
"The Choir's singing and the musical arrangements were most unusual, very sweet and lyrical and quite like angels!"
Carole Turner, BBC Radio Listener
