Maybe their sound lacked their usual pitch and precision but for the singers from Noosa Chorale and the Sunshine Coast Choral Society the chance to sing “Happy Birthday” was something to relish.
After eight months of no concerts and weekly choir rehearsals because of the pandemic, they were just happy to be able to sing together – even if they were a bit rusty.
And the occasion at La Balsa Park near Point Cartwright was worth celebrating, their choirmaster and music director, Adrian King, was observing a birthday “smilestone-;his 70th.
It all came as a complete surprise for popular Sunshine Coast musician Adrian who thought he was having a quiet picnic with wife Helen and their family.
About 80 singers and musicians (he also conducts the Sunshine Coast Symphony Orchestra) turned up to not only celebrate his great day but to honour this year as being his 50th as a choirmaster.
Sadly, because of restrictions like social distancing reducing the number of singers allowed for rehearsals and performances, he hasn’t had a choir to conduct.
Adrian conducted his first choir in the UK when he was just 19 and Noosa Today asked him what it felt like being unable to observe his golden anniversary choral year.
“It’s been really strange not being involved with singers and an orchestra. Normally we would be practicing for concerts and things. We had a really good programme this year and I’ve been a bit sad that everything has been cancelled,” he said.
“I’m hoping, however, we will be able to sing some carols at Christmas.”
Covid 19 has caused turmoil this year but as Noosa Today left La Balsa Park on Sunday the happy sound of “For he’s a jolly good fellow” was filling the air and if you had asked Adrian, Helen and the singers they would have told you all is right with the world.
