The School of Hard Knocks is excited to present not one, but two fabulous Singers Festivals in Brisbane and Melbourne this coming June.
The Brisbane and Melbourne International Singers Festivals will be two wonderful weekends of song and singing, workshops, masterclasses, rehearsals, performances and learning, where friendships are made or renewed.
US legendary master of popular, jazz and swing choral music, Kirby Shaw is back by popular demand in Melbourne and Brisbane with his extraordinary workshops and concerts to prepare and conduct his own arrangements of Puttin’ on the Ritz.
Singers in Melbourne and Brisbane will also have the opportunity to participate in fabulous workshops with Dr Jonathon Welch AM and Dr Kathleen McGuire, and perform two of the School of Hard Knocks amazing new original works: Street Requiem – in memory of those who have died on innocent on our streets; and No Excuses! – singing out against domestic violence.
Created by Kathleen McGuire, Andy Payne and Jonathon Welch, Street Requiem aims to bring a sense of peace, remembrance and hope to communities struggling to come to terms with street violence and a loss of safety on our streets. It is a highly accessible, contemporary work including additional English, African and Persian lyrics alongside a modern setting of the traditional Latin texts.
While at times deeply moving, the work is essentially optimistic and uplifting. The composers have utilised gospel, Celtic, neo-Romantic, neo-Baroque, Indigenous and contemporary genres and instrumentation to reflect the multicultural and multi-faith traditions of modern city living.
In a world premiere presentation, No Excuses! is a new song suite, created by composers Christina Green and Kathleen McGuire, focusing upon family violence and domestic abuse, with real stories of struggle and inspirational resilience as shared by women from Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Both Festivals are open to all community and school choirs, as well as individual singers, with amazing opportunities to sing in the Festival showcase concerts and massed choirs! Proceeds from the two festivals will support the School of Hard Knocks and its provision of arts and cultural programs to the disadvantaged.
Brisbane International Singers Festival
, Stanley Place, South Brisbane
Dates: 3 – 5 June 2016
Registrations / Bookings: www.schoolofhardknocks.org.au
Melbourne International Singers Festival
Deakin Edge – Federation Square / Melbourne Recital Centre
Dates: 10 – 13 June 2016
Registrations / Bookings: www.schoolofhardknocks.org.au
For more information, visit: www.schoolofhardknocks.org.au for details.
Image: Singers at the Melbourne International Singers Festival (supplied)