Songs evoke Anzac spirit

The Noosa Chorale will perform their Anzac commemorative concert at The J, Noosa Junction, on Saturday 18 April at 7pm and Sunday 19 April at 3pm. Picture: SUPPLIED

IT WILL be a mix of old and new when the Noosa Chorale presents its Anzac Centenary concert, Gallipoli Remembered, at The J on Saturday and Sunday, 18 and 19 April.
WWI songs like Goodbye Dolly Gray will rub shoulders with more modern songs like And the Band Players Waltzing Matilda, as well as the songs the Diggers sang such as Land of Hope and Glory and It’s a Way to Tipperary.
Noosa Chorale will also feature songs like the Andrews’ Sisters The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, a song filled with courage, hope and cheeky humour, that was sung and whistled in the front line and at home.
Three years ago the choir presented this powerful and evocative work, and when coupled with the accompanying film with graphic images of battle, produced a standing ovation.
Chorale Music director Adrian King said this was no ordinary piece of music.
“It is already the most performed work by any living composer with well over 1000 performances in the last 15 years alone,” he said.
“Aware that the Gallipoli commemoration would be an emotional time for many people in our region, it seemed to me The Armed Man would at one time capture for them the hell that was Gallipoli, the sacrifice of our brave young soldiers, and the joy the world felt in 1918 when the war was over.”
Adrian said being part of the Noosa Chorale performance of Gallipoli Remembered was a privilege.
“Together with Noosa Sinfonia and its 48 musicians, we invite Noosa to join us on an emotional and heart-felt journey that commemorates the courageous service of so many at Gallipoli and beyond,” he said.
The Noosa Chorale Gallipoli Remembered concert will be held at The J, Noosa Junction, on Saturday 18 April at 7pm and Sunday 19 April at 3pm.
Tickets are available now and are $38 per adult and $35 for concession. To book, phone 5329 6560 or online at www.thej.com.au.