THE University of Newcastle’s Echology Choir was bathed in glory over the weekend in the Australian National Eisteddfod’s choirs section, winning all five “open age” sections they entered, including the Australian Open Choral Challenge and taking home a total of $4000 in prize money.
The chamber choir of 18 members performed a total of 11 pieces, ranging in style from sacred to contemporary and popular.
But they were only one of more than 50 school and community choirs from Canberra, Newcastle, Sydney and Goulburn, who came together to present outstanding choral music in the Australian National Eisteddfod from August 17-18.
Canberra’s Debacle Quartet won the “open choral group” section for choirs with up to 15 members.
And, two Canberra groups, the Brindabella Chorus and ANU Vocal Fry, were placed equal second in the “Australian open choral challenge”.
Sydney’s Barker College Copeland Choir and Reddam House Middle School Singers won the 12 years and under and 20 years and under championships respectively.
In the School-aged sections, where schools are awarded on merit in a non-competitive environment, Canberra Girls Grammar School Chorale, Les Petites Chanteuses and Barker College Copeland Choir were all given platinum awards for outstanding performances.
Adjudicator Jenny Mathers from Melbourne said: “What was clear to me was that Canberra has a flourishing music and choral scene, with passionate teachers and directors very evident.”
Full Results – 2018 Choirs Eisteddfod
Australian Open Choral Challenge
1st Place: Echology (University of Newcastle Chamber Choir)
2nd Place: Brindabella Chorus and ANU Vocal Fry
Open Choral Group (up to 15 members)
1st Place: Debacle Quartet
2nd Place: ANU Chamber Choir
3rd Place: Lady’s Mantle
20 Years and Under Championship
1st Place: Reddam House Middle School Singers
2nd Place: ACT Senior Concert Choir
3rd Place: ANU Vocal Fry
12 Years and Under Championship
1st Place: Barker College Copeland Choir
2nd Place: Canberra Grammar School Chorale
3rd Place: ACT Primary Concert Choir
Open Sacred Choirs
1st Place: Echology (University of Newcastle Chamber Choir)
2nd Place: Strange Weather Gospel Choir
3rd Place: Woden Valley Youth Choir Australis Voices
Open Contemporary Choirs
1st Place: Echology (University of Newcastle Chamber Choir)
2nd Place: Woden Valley Youth Choir Australis Voices
Open Popular Choirs
1st Place: Echology (University of Newcastle Chamber Choir)
2nd Place: UMQ
3rd Place: Strange Weather Gospel Choir
Highly Commended: Daramalan College Choir, Woden Valley Youth Choir Australis Voices
Open Australia-Britain Choirs
1st Place: Echology (University of Newcastle Chamber Choir)
2nd Place: The Harmonic Means
Primary School Age Choirs (8 Years and Under)
The Anglican School Googong Infant Choir – Gold award
Primary School Age Choirs (10 Years and Under)
Canberra Girls Grammar School Les Petites Chanteuses – Platinum award
Canberra Grammar Junior School Singers – Silver award
Queanbeyan Public School Intermediate Choir – Gold award
Red Hill School – Silver award
Primary School Age Choirs (12 Years and Under)
Barker College Copeland Choir – Platinum award
Trinity Christian School Junior Choir – Silver award
Canberra Grammar Junior School Chorale – Platinum award
The Anglican School Googong Junior Choir: Silver award
Canberra Girls Grammar School Cantates – Gold award
Queanbeyan Public School Senior Choir – Silver award
Neville Bonner Primary School Choir – Silver award
ACT Primary Concert Choir – Gold award
High School Age Choirs (Years 7-10)
Canberra Girls Grammar School Bella Voca Chapel Choir – Gold award
Gold Creek School Singing Squadron – Bronze award
Lyneham High Voices – Bronze award
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