The
Cleftomaniacs, a choir that rehearses each week (on Wednesday evenings) at the
South Sydney Uniting Church in Waterloo, has organised a broad and eclectic
program of music – from choirs to quartets, high-energy gospel to contemporary
and retro pop, blues and jazz, world, folk, classical and barbershop – for a
festival in the Spring.
The Sydney A
Cappella Festival 2008 will be held in the Sound Lounge at the Seymour Theatre
Centre in Chippendale, September 10-13. According to
choirmaster of the Cleftomaniacs, Gary Smith, the Festival promises
“award-winning performers in an atmospheric, cabaret-style venue”.
Gary has been choirmaster of the
Cleftomaniacs for over 10 years. He is Festival Director for the Spring event.
“This Festival is much needed,” he says. “The Paddington Uniting
Church was the focus for
a lot of a cappella performances, but its Eastside Arts program has been
suspended. We really needed to do something new.”
A cappella choir,
Voices from the Vacant Lot, which also happens to rehearse at the South Sydney
Uniting Church
(every Thursday evening), is also taking part in the Festival. Choir member,
Dinah McClelland, says: “I’m really looking forward to hearing the whole
spectrum of a cappella, all in the one place – new songs, new arrangements.”
“The Festival is
so rich in variety of styles and performers. Bel A Cappella is a fine music
choir that has a large classical repertoire. The Australian Gaelic Choir with
its traditional Scottish repertoire, Martinitsa’s Bulgarian and eastern
European songs, the barbershop sounds of Hot Shot & Accolade. Add to that
pop, gospel, world music, jazz & original compositions, it’s an exciting
mix.”
Contact Gary Smith, Festival Director, on 9716 8982.
Festival website: www.sydneyacappellafestival.com.au .
Photo: The Cleftomaniacs
Source:
South Sydney Herald August 2008 www.southsydneyherald.com.au