Jim Fagan
It was the best of times. It was the saddest of times. Noosa Chorale’s two Christmas Cheer performances at the J last Friday and Saturday were a triumph with audiences joining the choir to sing ever-popular Christmas carols.
MC Frank Wilkie encouraged everyone “to sing and raise the roof” and, such was the enthusiastic response, Deputy Mayor Frank must have been tempted on Monday to check the council’s flagship theatre ceiling.
For many Noosa people the Chorale’s Christmas concerts are the official start to the festive season and this year, with the theme of Angels and the singalong cavalcade of traditional carols like O Come All Ye Faithful and The First Noel, there was a joyful feeling Christmas had arrived.
Comments like that of sisters Leanne Sorbellov and Deb Daley, “Beautiful, wish we could sing” and Tom and Ann Mulligan, “Absolutely fantastic. Sublime music beautifully sung” could be heard as people left the theatre.
Amid the jollity and laughter, there was one sad note.
Adrian King, the choir’s music director and conductor for the last 16 years, announced from the stage that he was retiring and the Saturday concert was his last performance.
As Chorale president Fran Wilson said in her speech farewelling Adrian at the concert, “It isn’t easy to put into a few words the measure of gratitude the choir owes you. It was a fortunate day for the Chorale when you and Helen came from England to be with your two daughters and their families, and you found your way to become our conductor.
“Over the years the choir has thrived and grown under your musical leadership and knowledge. Your sense of humour has made our rehearsals great fun. You have inspired us with your love and appreciation of music. You set us very high standards.
“Tonight, on this your last performance with us, the words of the Abba song are appropriate, Thank you for the music, the song I’m singing. Thanks for all the joy we’re bringing.
“It is time now for you to enjoy your retirement with Helen and look forward to your travels together.”
Thanking Fran, Adrian said everyone had worked and practiced so diligently “not only for this concert but also for the many fantastic others that we have performed together over the last 15 years. I appreciate every one of you”.
Later, at the choir’s after concert party Adrian again thanked Fran for her speech and said he was honoured.
“It has always been a pleasure to attend our Tuesday evening practice and be greeted by all of you lovely people sharing the thrill and beauty of the music together.
“It has been so rewarding and it has been an honour and a privilege to make music with you.”
He then recalled some of “the powerful works of the last 15 years” by great Western composers like Verdi, Mozart, Schubert, Vivaldi and many more which the choir had performed and thanked the Chorale members for “their friendship and camaraderie.”
Adrian, 73, has conducted choirs in different parts of the world since he was 19 and told Noosa Today he had no regrets that his choirmaster career was over.
“Helen and I came to Australia 16 years ago and we haven’t seen much of it. It’s time to travel.”
