The 34th Intervarsity Choral Festival: MELBOURNE, 14 May–28 May 1983

Patrons: Sir Rupert Hamer, Gerald English
Chorusmasters: Jacqui Clark, Robert Kay, Bevan Leviston; Andrew Greene
Accompanists: Matthew Hicks, Mandy Joyce, Gina McWilliam, Marie-Louise Sermon
Camp Venue: Dookie Agricultural College, via Shepparton
Participants: AUCS, SCUNA, ChristCollChoir, FUCS, MUCS, MonUCS, MurdUCS, MusSoc(UNE), PUCS, QUMS, SUMS, TUMS
FIBS: FIBS. Also published was a “The Chorister’s Guide to Melbourne IV”.

COMMITTEE

Convenor: Libby Nottle
Secretary: David McLean
Treasurer: Simon Johnson
ConMan: Geoff Harrison
Publicity: Greg Marginson
Librarian: Mandy Joyce
Camp Officer: Felicity Johnson
Transport/Billeting: Campbell Flack
Social Sec: Bev Redgen
Sec’s Aide: Luke de Jong
Liaison: Judy Hall
Fundraising: Lisa Rasmussen
Ass. Publicity: Felicity Johnson

CONCERT 1

8pm, 21 May, St Paul’s Cathedral
Conductor: Warren Bebbington, Theodore Dollarhide
Programme: G. Gabrieli Omnes gentes plaudite manibus, O Domine Jesu Christe, Theodore Dollarhide Three Poems of Bertold Brecht (commission), Schütz Cantate Domino, G. Gabrieli O magnum mysterium, Monteverdi Exultant cæli, G. Gabrieli Salvator noster. Pieces for brass and organ by Pezel, Langlais and Frescobaldi.
Notes: “A Festival of Choirs and Brass”. Organ: Peter Nicholson. Victorian College of the Arts Brass Ensemble

CONCERT 2

8pm, 28 May, Melbourne Concert Hall
Conductor: Richard Divall
Soloists: Nance Grant, Margreta Elkins, Anthony Benfell, Clifford Grant
Program: Verdi Requiem
Notes: Elizabethan Melbourne Orchestra
Review: John Sinclair, “Memorable ‘Requiem’”, Herald, 30 May 1983, p.17. “… a wonderfully committed performance free from the slightest trace of amateurism. No doubt anyone who had not heard an intervarsity choir before would have been astonished by the spirit with which these 250 choristers sang.”
Ian Hunt, “A Mighty Massed Effort”, Australian, 30 May 1983. “Ranged on three sides above the orchestra, the choir made an impressive sight and sang with superbly controlled dynamics and great beauty of tone. There was never a hint of coarseness …”
Clive O’Connell, Age, 30 May 1983, p.10. “… the standard of singing has improved immeasurably over the years since my first experience of the genre in the early 1960s. Above all, what I liked about this performance was its muted brilliance, typified choral singing that was never rough-edged or raucous, but which had a fine sheen and sonority, particularly from the large bass section.”

OTHER COMMENTS

Photographs in News [Shepparton], 17 May 1983; Age, 28 May 1983, p.2.

---