CANBERRA’S popular Brindabella Chorus has won the Australian Open Choral Challenge in the Australian National Eisteddfod.

The a cappella choir of 50 women won the challenge at Llewellyn Hall on Saturday (August 19) with five contrasting pieces, culminating in a striking performance of “Viva Las Vegas”, which was very appropriate, as they will be travelling to Las Vegas in a few weeks to participate in an international competition.

Concordis Chamber Choir from Melbourne, conducted by Daniel Brinsmead, was placed second in the Challenge, and ANU Vocal Fry, conducted by Tobias Cole, third.

Vocalocity from Leura won the Open Choral Group section (for choirs with up to 15 members), with Melbourne’s “Perfect Sixth” second and Debacle Quartet third.

The ACT Primary Concert Choir won the 12 Years and Under Championship, and Reddam House Middle School Singers from Sydney the 20 Years and Under Championship.

Concordis Chamber Choir from Melbourne won the Open Choral and Australia-Britain Choirs sections, while Hillcrest Christian College “Bella Voce” from Brisbane won the Open Contemporary Choirs. ANU Vocal Fry and UMQ were joint winners of the Open Popular Choirs, and Radford College Camerata won the ACT 20 Years and Under Choirs section.

In the school aged sections, where schools are awarded on merit in a non-competitive environment, Canberra Girls Grammar School, Bella Voce Chapel Choir and Radford College Chorale were both given “platinum” awards for outstanding performances.

Adjudicator Sharon Batterham said she was highly impressed by both the level of performance throughout and repertoire chosen.

 

The full list of results is as follows:

Australian Open Choral Challenge

1st Place: Brindabella Chorus

2nd Place: Concordis Chamber Choir

3rd Place: ANU Vocal Fry

Open Choral Group (up to 15 members)

1st Place: Vocalocity

2nd Place: Perfect Sixth

3rd Place: Debacle Quartet  

20 Years and Under Championship

1st Place: Reddam House Middle School Singers

2nd Place: Hillcrest Christian College Bella Voce

3rd Place: ACT Senior Concert Choir

Highly Commended: Vocalocity

12 Years and Under Championship

1st Place: ACT Primary Concert Choir

2nd Place: Canberra Girls Grammar School Cantates

3rd Place: Turner Trebles  

ACT 20 Years and Under Choirs

1st Place: Radford College Camerata

2nd Place: ANU Vocal Fry  

Open Sacred Choirs

1st Place: Concordis Chamber Choir

2nd Place: ANU Chamber Choir

3rd Place: Daramalan College Choir

Open Popular Choirs

1st Place: ANU Vocal Fry and UMQ (tied)

3rd Place: Andante Andante   

Open Contemporary Choirs

1st Place: Hillcrest Christian College Bella Voce

2nd Place: Concordis Chamber Choir

3rd Place: Canberra Girls Grammar School Gabriel Singers

Highly Commended: Daramalan College Choir

Open Australia-Britain Choirs

1st Place: Concordis Chamber Chour

2nd Place: The Harmonic Means

Primary School Age Choirs (10 Years and Under)

Canberra Grammar Junior School Singers, Silver award

Canberra Girls Grammar School Les Petites Chantuses, Bronze award

The Anglican School Googong Choir, Gold award

Primary School Age Choirs (12 Years and Under)

Canberra Grammar Junior School Chorale, Gold award

Canberra Girls Grammar School Cora da Camera, Silver award

ACT Primary Concert Choir, Silver award Jerrabomberra Singers

High School Age Choirs (Years 7-10)

Gold Creek School Singing Squadron, Bronze award

Canberra Girls Grammar School Bella Voca Chapel Choir, Platinum award

Merici College Choir, Silver award Lyneham High Voices, Gold award

High School/College Age Choirs (Years 7-12)

Radford College Chorale, Platinum award

Canberra Girls Grammar School Chorale, Gold award

ACT Senior Concert Choir, Silver award

Daramalan College Choir, Silver award

St Edmunds’ College Vocal Group, Bronze award