Thirty years ago on Sunday 11 December, 1994, Noosa Chorale thrilled its first audience with Handel’s Messiah -and last weekend (almost to the day) it celebrated the anniversary of its remarkable history of entertaining Noosa with a duo of performances – Peace and Joy.
And what a Christmas stocking filled with pure enjoyment the concerts were.
The J was decorated with stars, doves and candles, the choir sang festive songs and carols from Norway, Sweden, the US the UK plus other parts of globe and the enthusiastic audience loved the chance to sing-along with traditional favourites like Good King Wenceslas and O Come All Ye Faithful.
For two people among them, Gail Spira, of Noosa Springs, and Joan Murray, of Noosaville it was a particularly important and moving moment.
Gail played violin at the Messiah concert with the Noosa Musicians Chamber Orchestra which had just been formed by her late husband and foundation conductor of the Chorale, Leonard Spira.
She then decided she would like to “have a sing” and today is still a member. She thought the choir’s singing was “beautiful shown by the singers’ terrific relationship with the conductor. Something Leonard liked to do.”
Joan is also an active member of the Chorale.
She said: “Wonderful. One of the best concerts we’ve had. Each concert has been an improvement on what we started out to do and that is to have a darn good choir. And that’s what we’ve done.”
And it wasn’t all just set pieces from the choir. Night of Silence, an improvisation of Silent Night, was beautifully sung by soprano Fran Wilson and alto Debra Schneider with choir member, Pamela Turnbull, providing the piano accompaniment.
They later combined with Belinda Griffiths, Susi Fox, Cal Webb with Olena Kruta playing piano with The Work of Christmas by Dan Forrest.
Even conductor Kim Kirkman found the toe-tapping rhythm of one of the festive songs too much to resist and did a spirited, impromptu dance with one of the basses.
He also combined with violinist Dan Williams, playing a medley for two violins. Later he said he was incredibly pleased with the choir’s performance. “I felt they really lifted for the occasion and filled The J with Christmas spirit.”
