Armidale Music Foundation - Previous Choral Weekends

Choral Weekend 2008

Gustav Holst’s Hymn of Jesus for large orchestra, double chorus, and semi chorus.

Choral Weekend 2007

Stanford's "Songs of the Fleet", though new to most singers and players proved a smash hit with the 150 or so musicians who attended Armidale for the 2007 10th AMF Choral Weekend. Providing enough challenges, but eminently "do-able", the songs thrilled us all with a combination of their patriotic fervour and deeply felt emotion. Leon Warnock sung the baritone solo magnificently.

The program also included Parry's glorious "Blest Pair of Sirens", and the first performance of Richard Peter Maddox' enchanting Overture "Sam Beasley", composed as a fund raising item for the Armidale Music Foundation.

Choral Weekend 2006

The 2006 Choral Workshop was held on the weekend of the 10-12th March with Francis Poulenc's delicious Gloria as the chosen work. Written in the style of Vivaldi, but set for a very large orchestra, the Gloria is divided into six sections, each with its own distinct flavour: At times jubilant and at others solemn, lyricism and purity of line characterise the music. This work demonstrates the sincerity, simplicity, and humility that have made Francis Poulenc one of the great religious composers of the last century.

Once again Richard McIntyre conducted and rehearsed both the orchestra and the choir. We were delighted that Paul Holley returned as our Chorus Master. Richard tutored woodwind in the orchestral sectional rehearsals, while John Kellaway (Head of Brass Studies at Newcastle Conservatorium) tutored Brass and Errol Russell, Strings. Samantha Cobcroft was our Soprano Soloist.

Choral Weekend 2005

Puccini's glorious Messa (di Gloria) was the chosen work for the March 2005 workshop. It is a beautiful early work by the famous Italian opera composer contains all the hallmarks of his later masterpieces: sweeping romantic melodies and lush masterfully orchestrated scoring.

As usual Maestro Richard McIntyre and Choral Director Paul Holley, ably assisted by our distinguished instrumental tutors, and soloists Tom Moran, Laurie Pulley ensured the weekend was a resounding success.

Choral Weekend 2004

In 2004 we chose Hector Berlioz's monumental Te Deum. This colossal work uses extraordinary musical ideas to convey both the majesty of God & the littleness of man. The Te Deum calls for two choirs and children's voices. We were delighted that the Armidale Sing NSW children's choir under their conductor Cathy Welsford joined us for what was a memorable musical event.