ROSE BYGRAVE 2010

THOUGHTS AND HIGHLIGHTS OF BEING A CHOIR DIRECTOR.

• The highlights for me often happened on a weekly basis. Seeing everyone learn the parts and then seeing the joy when each song came together was magical. Listening to everyone singing as one is amongst the greatest pleasures we can share as musicians. We know when we have nailed the parts because it’s written on the faces of everyone involved, everyone listening. Then when the songs are performed, that joy and awe and recognition of the work, spreads into the community.  

ONE OR TWO OF THE FAVOURITE SONGS YOU DIRECTED.

• I loved hearing the choir singing the classic song of Sam Cooke , You Send Me.  It’s fun and cheeky with a couple of winks and nods in the lyrics. It was also very humbling to have some of my original songs performed. One of the songs, Erarerama is a song where the central word comes from the Arente language from central Australia and means ‘to long for that which is lost ‘. It’s a gentle song and sweet sound of the voices singing with me was very moving.

MEMORABLE OR FAVOURITE PERFORMANCES.

• There have been two concerts that I’ve really loved. I’m sure that each performance has a unique spark because each one is a bit different, even when singing the same songs over and over, something always happens to add a little bit extra. It might be the audience, the venue, the weather or even something that doesn’t go quite to plan. The choir always performs with good humour and full generosity. Those special concerts for me were at the Uniting Church when beautiful Sarah Carroll and I shared the event as directors, and a concert at the QMF marquee where there were a couple of other directors- the lovely Tiff Eckhardt being one. Dave Steel and I sang Dylan’s I’ll be your baby tonight backed by the choir. Great version​