For one night each month across August-November, Redland Performing Arts Centre will come alive through song.
'Redland Sings', led by award-winning singer, conductor, composer and 'Choir Man' Jonathon Welch AM, is a free event encouraging voices of all backgrounds, ages and abilities to unite in the name of music.
When voices collide to create music, harmonic greatness can be achieved. So whether you're blessed with the natural-born talent of singing, or you just belt out your favourite tunes in the shower, 'Redland Sings' wants you. Registration is essential.
Registrations for the September event open on 24 August, the October event on 15 September, and the November event on 5 October.
Here, before he leads the choir through the August event, Jonathon Welch reflects on five of his most memorable on-stage moments from performances around the world.
One
Sydney Opera House debut with Joan Sutherland. In late 1987 I joined the Australian Opera (now Opera Australia) and the very first performance I did was in 'The Merry Widow' with the late Dame Joan Sutherland at Sydney Opera House. There was so much going on as the performances were also being recorded for video distribution worldwide – no pressure! All I can remember on the opening night was standing side of stage waiting to go on, and praying I wouldn't forget my lines.
Two
Sydney Cricket Ground with K.D. Lang. In 2002 I was the Music Director for the choral festival at the Gay Games in Sydney and the opening ceremony was held at the Sydney Cricket Ground in front of 35,000 people. K.D. Lang was the headline act, and I was conducting the 500 voice massed choir in a very special arrangement of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' with K.D. singing the solo. It was also her 40th birthday that same night, and we surprised her with a spontaneous rendition of 'Happy Birthday' and the whole audience joined in. She was so shocked and delighted, she then pretended to faint in the middle of the arena, and security guards rushed onto the ground thinking she'd had a heart attack. It was hilarious!Three
MCG for the Dream Team Match with Choir Of Hard Knocks. There were so many amazing performances invitations that Choir Of Hard Knocks received after the TV documentary went to air in May 2007. But one that still lives in my memory, was singing the National Anthem in the middle of the MCG in front of a packed stadium for the Dream Team Match in 2008. I'll never forget the look of sheer terror and delight on the choir members' faces as the crowd roared when we were announced and then we were in the middle of a live raucous surround sound experience with everyone singing the anthem as well. Now I know why so many big acts are hooked on doing stadium gigs – the adrenalin rush is incredible.
Four
Royal Albert Hall, London. In 2015 I took a group of 50 singers from Australia on a singing tour to Rome where we performed in St Peters Basilica, then Milan for the World Expo and over to London to perform with a massed choir of 2,000 in Royal Albert Hall. The experience of the sound in that magnificent 4,000-seat circular auditorium was incredible – and I also had the opportunity to conduct there as well in 2012.Five
Carnegie Hall, New York. In 2014 I conceived and co-wrote for massed choir work, soloists and orchestra in memory of people who have died innocent and homeless in our cities around the world – 'Street Requiem'. The reaction was enormous to it around the globe and as more choirs performed it I decided to take a group of Australian and American singers and perform it at Carnegie Hall in New York, where we also fundraised for several homeless charities and donated the proceeds of the concert to them. I will never forget standing on that stage, where for 125 years, many of the world’s greatest artists had also performed, and I could feel their DNA in the walls and the paint. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for us all and I will never forget looking out into that glorious space and hearing the acoustic for the first time. Finally, many of the voices that had been forgotten were honoured through our singing and the final phrase of the work – 'We will remember them'.'Redland Sings' plays Redland Performing Arts Centre 24 August, 15 September, 5 October and 23 November.
